I have recently discovered that the cause of my Hashimotos (auto immunce thyroiditis) was an over abundance of iodine. (Primarily ingested from iodized table salt). After more than 30 years of constant blood tests, doubting doctors / endocrinologists / constantly changing and adjusting thyroid medications....it was unbelievably that simple. I followed the low iodine diet recommended by American Thyroid Association, and within 30 days, I now longer need prescription medication (found a Dr. who helped monitor progress / WOULD LISTEN). In January 2023, it will have been 3 years since I took the last prescription thyroid medication (which was increasing the "internal earthquakes" / dizzyness / dry mouth / confusion, and on and on). I have never felt better! I did not expect to feel better following this low iodine diet in the beginning...but I was feeling so bad...how could it get any worse? And I got better, and better. Since I wrote this original reply, it was also discovered that I have the genetic MTHFR polymorphism (DNA test confirmed). That basically means I am among at least 25% of the population that does not eliminate toxins optimally. It explains everything after all these years! Why the dosage could not remain constant...I was getting overdosed with iodine from time to time - fluctuating iodine - which would raise TSH, lower T3, ramp up thyroid hormone destroying immune attack! I can't count how many Dr.s that adamantly expressed: "Once thyroid tissue has been destroyed / auto-immune has occurred, it can't be reversed." Some kind of cellular memory, or so they insisted. Well, I'm here, alive, kicking, and shouting - it ain't so. Apparently, some of us can and do heal - our body given (or in my case taken away) the nutrient balance that it needs. I do still take a minuscule amount of bovine thyroid glandular, about every 10 days or so. My thyroid is either still healing, or perhaps, it will never regain 100%. (I am now 65 years old). And then again, it could be because I do slip and eat an egg yolk, sea food, dairy (all high iodine) - no it's not slipping its indulging! (If I am being perfectly honest). A long, long story - all to say....try the low iodine diet found on the American Thyroid Association website. A 30 day experiment will tell the tale, and low iodine (do not read zero iodine, which is not possible nor desirable), for 30 days is not a show stopper for most people. (Check with your Dr. to be sure)
I would so like to hear any success stories!