William Davis, MD, is a preventive cardiologist whose unique approach to diet allows him to advocate reversal, not just prevention, of heart disease.
He is the founder of the 
Allow me to go off topic for a post. While this has nothing to do with wheat and its destructive effects on human health, the issue of thyroid dysfunction and failed weight loss come up often enough that I thought it would be helpful to cover this important topic.
What if your diet is perfect–no wheat, no junk carbohydrates like that from corn or sugars, you are physically active–yet you fail to lose weight? Or you hit a plateau after an initial loss?
First think iodine.
Iodine is an essential nutrient. It is no more optional than, say, celebrating your wedding anniversary or obtaining vitamin C. If you forget to do something nice for your wife on your wedding anniversary, I would fear for your life. If you develop open sores all over your body and your joints fall apart, you could undergo extensive plastic surgery reconstruction and joint replacement . . . or you could just treat the scurvy causing it from lack of vitamin C.
Likewise iodine: If you have an iodine deficiency, you experience lower thyroid hormone production, since T3 and T4 thyroid hormones require iodine (the “3″ and “4″ refer to the number of iodine atoms per thyroid hormone molecule). This leads to lower energy (since the thyroid controls metabolic rate), cold hands and feet (since the thyroid is thermoregulatory, i.e., temperature regulating), and failed weight loss. So iodine deficiency is one of the items on the list of issues to consider if you eliminate wheat with its appetite-stimulating opiate, gliadin, and high-glycemic carbohydrate, amylopectin A, and limit other carbohydrates, yet still fail to lose weight. A perfect diet will not fully overcome the metabolism-limiting effects of an underactive thyroid.
Given sufficient time, an enlarged thyroid gland, or goiter, develops, signaling longstanding iodine deficiency. (The treatment? Iodine, of course, not thyroid removal, as many endocrinologists advocate.) Your risk for heart attack, by the way, in the presence of a goiter is increased several-fold. Goiters are becoming increasingly common and I see several each week in my office.
Iodine is found in the ocean and thereby anything that comes from the ocean, such as seafood and seaweed. Iodine also leaches into the soil but only does so coastally. It means that crops and livestock grown along the coasts have some quantity of iodine. Humans hunting and foraging along the coast will be sufficient in iodine, while populations migrating inland will not.
It also means that foods grown inland do not have iodine. This odd distribution for us land dwelling primates means that goiters are exceptionally common unless iodine is supplemented. Up to 25% of the population can develop goiters without iodine supplementation, a larger percentage experiencing lesser degrees of iodine deficiency without goiter.
In 1924, the FDA became aware of the studies that linked goiters to lack of iodine, reversed with iodine supplementation. That’s why they passed a regulation encouraging salt manufacturers to add iodine, thought to be an easy and effective means for an uneducated, rural populace to obtain this essential nutrient. Their message: “Use more iodized salt. Keep your family goiter free!” That was actually the slogan on the Morton’s iodized salt label, too.
It worked. The rampant goiters of the first half of the 20th century disappeared. Iodized salt was declared an incredible public health success story. Use more salt, use more salt.
You know the rest. Overuse of salt led to other issues, such as hypertension in genetically susceptible people, water retention, and other conditions of sodium overexposure. The FDA then advises Americans to slash their intake of sodium and salt . . . but make no mention of iodine.
So what recurs? Iodine deficiency and goiters. Sure, you eat seafood once or twice per week, maybe even have the nori (sheet seaweed) on your sushi once in a while . . . but that won’t do it for most. Maybe you even sneak some iodized salt into your diet, but occasional use is insufficient, especially since the canister of iodized salt only contains iodine for around 4 weeks, given iodine’s volatile nature. (Iodized salt did work when everybody in the house salted their food liberally and Mom had to buy a new canister every few weeks.)
Iodine deficiency is common and increasing in prevalence, given the widespread avoidance of iodized salt. So what happens when you become iodine deficient? Here’s a partial list:
–Weight loss is stalled or you gain weight despite your efforts.
–Heart disease risk is escalated
–Total and LDL cholesterol and triglyceride values increase
–Risk of fibrocystic breast disease and possibly breast cancer increase (breast tissue concentrates iodine)
–Gingivitis and poor oral health increase (salivary glands concentrate iodine)
(Naturopathic doctor Lyn Patrick, ND, has written a very nice summary available here.)
So how do you ensure that you obtain sufficient iodine every day? You could, of course, eat something from the ocean every day, such as coastal populations such as the Japanese do. Or you could take an inexpensive iodine supplement. You can get iodine in a multivitamin, multimineral, or iodine drops, tablets, or capsules.
What is the dose? Here’s where we get very iffy. We know that the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA), the intake to not have a goiter, is 150 mcg per day for adults (220 mcg for pregnant females, 290 mcg for lactating females). Most supplements therefore contain this quantity.
But what if our question is what is the quantity of iodine required for ideal thyroid function and overall health? Ah, that’s where the data are sketchy. We know, for instance, that the Japanese obtain somewhere between 3,500 and 13,000 mcg per day (varying widely due to different habits and locations). Are they healthier than us? Yes, quite a bit healthier, though there may be other effects to account for this, such as a culture of less sweet foods and more salty, less wheat consumption, etc. There are advocates in the U.S., such as Dr. David Brownstein in Michigan, who argues that some people benefit by taking doses in the 30,000 to 50,000 mcg per day range (monitored with urinary iodine levels).
As is often the case with nutrients, we lack data to help us decide where the truly ideal level of intake lies. So I have been using and advocating intakes of 500 to 1000 mcg per day from iodine capsules, tablets, or drops. A very easy way to get this dose of iodine is in the form of kelp tablets, i.e., dried seaweed, essentially mimicking the natural means of intake that also provides iodine in all its varied forms (iodide, sodium iodate, potassium iodide, potassium iodate, iodinated proteins, etc.) This has worked out well with no ill effects.
The only concern with iodine is in people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or (rarely) an overactive thyroid nodule. Anyone with these conditions should only undertake iodine replacement carefully and under supervision (monitoring thyroid hormone levels).
Iodine is inexpensive, safe, and essential to health and weight management. If it were a drug, it would enjoy repeated expensive marketing and a price tag around $150 per month. But it is an essential nutrient that enjoys none of the attention-getting advantages of drugs, and therefore is unlikely to be mentioned by your doctor, yet carries great advantage for helping to maintain overall health.
Hi Dr. Davis,
I was diagnosed as hypothyroid while I was pregnant with my daughter last year. I was given synthroid 25mg and had horrible side effects from it. My doctor told me my symptoms were not from synthroid and to continue taking it. I ended up stoping the synthroid after my daughter was born and tried to find a doctor who could help me or prescribe me armour ( this was almost impossible to find). My TSH ended up going up to 6.7 and my doctor put me on a medication similar to synthroid made at the compound pharmacy. Still gave me side effects so I ended this as well. I found a longevity doctor who helped me and gave me armour through the compound pharmacy but I am still on 30mg and retested my TSH was 3.7. When I called the doctor the nurse said my results looked fine and to continue my 30mg dose of armour. I still am having trouble losing weight however…
I gained 65 pounds with my pregnancy and have been working out 90 minutes a day and started this wheat free diet but have only lost 7 pounds from cutting the wheat out. Can you tell me if I should request to up my dosage, or do you have any doctors to refer me to? I live in Milwaukee. Thank you!
You are being done a disservice by ignorant doctors, Anastasia. I am grateful that this does no compromise your pregnancy, as even marginal hypothyroidism can have grave consequences for your baby.
Have you tried Dr. Michelle Nickels in Brookfield? She is a naturopath but is very knowledgeable about thyroid issues.
Dr Davis, do you know any functional medical doctors or naturopaths in the Baltimore, MD area? I’ve got hypothyroidism and haven’t had any success in finding a good doctor. I heard that hypothyroid can cause elevated cholesterol… My cholesterol is thru the roof — TC 383. HDL is 123, and LDL is 250, Triglycerides 52.
On a good note – in July 2012, on this blog, you diagnosed me as pre-diabetic with a HbA1C of 5.8. I just had my HbA1C redone. It is now 5.4.
I’ve been wheat-free for one year and sugar-free for 6 months. Thank you for showing me the detour off the path to diabetes.
Thank you Dr. Davis. I did see two endocrinologists who both said they do not treat patients with a TSH below 10. The second endocrinologist I saw even said I had a goiter but that I still did not need meds and that she would not recommend armour at all…
This is when I found the longevity dr. in Brookfield. He did tell me that my 3.7 TSH is now normal and that I could stay on my 30mg armour. I asked for a 60mg dose to try. I would like to regain energy, sleep better and lose the extra weight I have gained. I have been on weight watchers and exercising since the birth of my daughter in April but have had a very hard time losing the weight. I feel like I have to almost starve myself to lose even a small amount of weight.
It has been such a struggle to find help, reading blogs online that other hypothryoid patients wrote have given me the most information and help. I will have to try Dr. Nickels, thank you.
I have been taking Iodoral Iodide from the compound pharmacy, they told me to take one every two weeks. Is this what you would suggest as well?
I hope the wheat free diet will help, I have already been able to lose seven pounds by following this and hope the rest of the weight will come off as well.
Thank you!!
I also really need some help and advice. I have three children 5 and under, with the youngest being 7.5 mos. I currently weigh 146, 15 to 20 pounds more than my body should be. I’ve been under a battle wih my doctors because after my first child and between my second I’ve been overly tired and unable to lose weight ( I used to never have issues losing). In fact after my first child I was back to pre pregnancy weight two weeks after baby. It just thankfully happened. They tend to blow me off since I’m a mom and assume that I’m not getting any sleep. But it’s different… I will be exhausted, not just tired. I had my bloodwork done a few months ago and my TSH was a 1.62 and T4 was 5.4. Can anyone let me know if these numbers seem low? I’m actually in the waiting room of my doctor and was looking on the blog to see the thyroid comments. I have been wheat free for a month and lost 2 lbs.
No, those are pretty good values. But you can STILL have thyroid issues.
To obtain normal thyroid function we need to:
1) Supplement iodine at a dose of around 500 mcg per day (micrograms, not milligrams)
2) Have free T3 assessed. You will likely need a smarter doctor for this, however, who can interpret for you.
So at my doctors visit I begged the doctor to re-explore my thyroid complaint. She was resistant as she said most people have the same symptoms and complaints, but they’re actually okay. Anyhow, she said she would have my blood retested and the following are the results:
TSH: 4.31
T3: 106
T4, Free: 1.15
Thyroid Peroxidase: 11
I was worried about my TSH. Also, since going wheat free Jan 1, my husband has lost 14 lbs and none for me. I had started lifting weights and working out and I’ve actually gained a couple pounds. I’m frustrated, but on a positive note… Since being wheat free my cholsterol numbers are soooo much better and my blood sugar levels have also improved, so I’m really happy about that!
But still… My concern is my thyroid. For my body type, I should be 15 pounds lighter.
Thanks Dr Davis… So inspiring!
Your thyroid panel shows hypothyroidism without question, Angie. TSH is sufficiently high, for example, to not only account for slowed metabolism and failed weight loss, but substantial increase in risk for cardiovascular disease.
Get rid of your doctor. You don’t need this kind of ignorance or resistance to self-empowerment in health in your life. She will likely tell you that you don’t need thyroid correction, anyway. Find a functional medicine practitioner who will listen and work with you.
I recommend going to a doctor of osteopathy. My situation was/is similar to Angie’s. My DO will do blood tests but his primary diagnostic tool is the question “How do you feel?” He adjusts my natural thyroid Rx accordingly.
Possibly you need to do more research because not all Thyroid disease is caused by low iodine and in fact taking iodine when you have Hashimoto’s Thyroid disease can make your disease worse.
Thanks
Dr.Brownstein has written extensively on the subject of Bromide in bakery products.Quinoa may be a good alternative to wheat.
Seeing how for some people, desiccated thyroid works better than synthetic…. would it be a stretch of the imagination to think that desiccated thyroid contains an amount of iodine, which would be absent from the pure synthetic variety? Unfortunately nothing is available to me here except synthetic T4. It’s all very annoying! but iodine certainly is and has made a big difference for me (32.5mg Potassium Iodide tablets)
Whoa, Darren: Be careful. That dose of iodine is potentially toxic if taken long enough.
And, no, the benefits of adding T3 or taking a desiccated thyroid preparation go beyond just supplementing iodine. Iodine is indeed helpful and can improve thyroid function, but ONLY if you are iodine deficient to start.
How can I tell if I am Iodine deficient? Can you please list the exact ideal levels for TSH, T3 & T4 ? Which of those numbers if too high tell me if I need to supplement Iodine or something else?
You’ve probably seen this on your other query by now. If not:
http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/2011/10/thyroid-tune-up-checklist/
There’s also a book about this particular medical malpractice, entitled: “Stop the Thyroid Madness” (J.A.Bowthorpe)
I might add, that if the Stop the Thyroid Madness book is correct, 50% of people with thyroid problems also have an adrenal problem, and that also needs correcting.
Dr. Davis,
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 5 years ago. I am 23 years old. I have gained so much weight over the past 5 years. I went from 125 lbs to 175 lbs. (Note that I am 5’1). I recently started the wheat belly diet and lost about 7 pounds in the first couple weeks. I have struggled with it and have fallen off the diet over the past week and woke up today feeling dizzy and weak. I plan to start back on it tomorrow. I am tired of feeling exhausted. I know it has to do with my thyroid as well. I had never heard about taking Iodine before I read this. My recent labwork says that my thyroid is fine.
TSH: 2.4 mL
T4 Free: .98 dL
T3 Free: 3.2 mL
I take 50mcg of Levoxyl and 5mcg of a generic Cytomel. So my question is how much Iodine do you think I should take? Do you think that going on the wheat belly diet will help my thyroid?
Have you also seen:
http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/2011/10/thyroid-tune-up-checklist/
I too am hypothyroid with Hashimoto’s disease. I started the wheat belly diet on January 2nd. I lost 9 lbs the first week and a total of 18 pounds since then. It seems to be coming off very slowly, but I have decided to persevere because for once the weight is actually coming off. I have struggled for years, with lots of exercise and eating well, but this is the first time that I am actually losing and not gaining. My suggestions at this point in my diet is: cardiovascular exercise only, no weights. get your Vitamin D levels checked. I am finally sleeping through the night after years of insomnia. I do not have issues with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I have not had a problem with acid reflux and am hoping to reduce and possibly eliminate all of the meds that I have been taking for years for my rheumatoid arthritis.Thanks for the info. on possible iodine deficiency, I will be checking with my doctor on this topic. Good luck.
I have no thyroid. It was removed 18 years ago when I was diagnosed w Hashimoto’s and thyroid cancer. I do take Synthroid.
I have read about your suggestions regarding iodine and wonder if these apply to me. I have struggled a bit lately (after age 40) with slow but steady weight gain – and I exercise like crazy (run 40 miles/week and lift weights 2x/week).
I’m really interested to know if iodine might help me – a person w no thyroid.
The benefits of iodine in someone who has had a thyroidectomy are less, but can involved improved breast and oral health, since both breast tissue and salivary glands concentrate iodine. With regards to breast health, I believe we could argue that iodine is among the most neglected issues, with deficiency associated with increased potential for fibrocystic breast disease and breast cancer.
But that is not your problem. More than likely, your doctor has failed to assess your T3 thyroid status, as you are only taking the T4 hormone (Synthroid). Get a new doctor, one who will address the T3 issue and you will be astounded with the results. Then go back to your old doctor to show off your results and give him/her a piece of your mind!
Thank you for your reply Dr Davis
This is especially intriguing bc my mother has also had thyroid and breast cancer. Therefore I am at pretty high risk for breast cancer.
I assume you believe my T3 is low. I will have it checked immediately.
Will 500-1000mcg of iodine help with that T3 level?
Or do you suggest a different thyroid replacement other than Synthroid?
The iodine will like NOT help convert T4 to T3.
To obtain T3 you can replace the Synthroid with a preparation like Armour thyroid or just add T3 as liothyronine.
Also, see the useful discussions on Janie Bowthorpe’s Stopthethyroidmadness.com.
Hi I have had thyroid symptoms going on for about 2 years now and I still cant get a doctor to diagnose me. My TSH is 2.821 Free T4 0.93 Free T3 2.5…..My symptoms are fatigue, eye problems( sore, dry and red), depression/anxiety, cold hands and feet but then sweaty hands at times too, hands and feet tingling, waking up from full nights sleep and feeling terrible, puffy eyes, cold intolerance, itchy legs, irritable, scanty periods, constipation, ringing in my ears, shortness of breathe………I used to be a runner and am athletic but have put on weight and I can’t tolerate exercise like I used too! My TSH is slowly rising. I have been looking into doing a wheat free diet. Is it common to have all the symptoms of thyroid and continue to suffer without a diagnosis. I also have a a grandmother, mother, aunt and great aunt who have hypothyroidism…….Please any advise would help!
Hi Shelly,
My wife suffered from the same symptoms not so long ago (she’s only 32). We went wheat / grain / sugar / starch free, increased fat intake, been eating real foods, etc, since October 1st 2012. I was (and still am) thriving on this diet but she did not show the same big improvements. We decided to check her hormonal balance and bingo, she had VERY LOW estrogen and progesterone. She’s been on natural supplements for 3 months (arctic root, agnus castus, nt factor, omg-3 FA, etc) and it is the FIRST TIME she had not experienced ANY PMS, not one bit. She was so surprised when her menses came without any signs they would come, she had to celebrate
J.
Did she see a naturalpathic doctor? I have seen just my regular OB/GYN and he tested my hormones and made sure that I wasn’t going in to menopause because of my symptoms but he says its ok but then wants me to try birth control…….I am afraid that is going to mess me up more. Thanks for your reply and am glad that your wife is feeling better!
I have recently finished your book Wheat Belly and have eliminated gluten and wheat from my diet to the best of my knowledge. My 14 year old daughter was diagnosed with Celiac disease about 5 years ago as well. I have been suffering terribly for the past few years with bloating, stomach pain, constipation/diarrhea, brain fog and headaches, extreme fatigue, skin rashes, joint pain and I have had hypothyroidism for the past 9 years. I have seen many doctors for my issues from neurologists to allergy specialists and so on. I have such a distaste for doctors at this point due to their lack of knowledge and because they just throw another prescription at you every time you walk in the door. My health has been so bad over the past 3 years I have put on 45 pounds and have no energy to go anywhere outside of work.
Because of my daughters diagnosis I have gone gluten free before for a few months at a time yet I have not seen or felt any of the benefits. This last time around, after reading your book, I initially lost 5 pounds and the bloating decreased but after 2 weeks the weight and bloating returned. I also am not seeing other health benefits. I do take many vitamin supplements and thyroid medication. I also had a complete hysterectomy 7 years ago. What could be going on here and is there something I may me doing wrong that I am not aware of? I live in Des Moines, Iowa and wonder if you know of a knowledgeable and capable doctor to help me? Thank you.
> I do take many vitamin supplements and thyroid medication.
What vitamins, but more importantly, what thyroid meds?
Most thyroid patients are extremely poorly served by the medical profession, and get meds that amount to merely managing the metrics on the nearly meaningless “thyroid” tests that they run (like TSH and total T4), and which do nothing for your symptoms – may even aggravate symptoms. There’s a reason why books exist with titles like “Stop the Thyroid Madness”.
See also:
http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/2011/10/thyroid-tune-up-checklist/
Once we get iodine back into our thyroid everything should be fine…http://iodinedeficiencylinkedtohairloss.blogspot.com.au/
If i’m hypothyroid is gluten free the best diet for me?
My thyroid was hyper and out of control, I was given RAI treatment over 2 years ago which resulted in hypothyroidism and now my ENDO says looks this is where I have levelled out, she sent me back to my family doctor with my Synthroid presription and said I no longer require her treatment, she’s done her job, numbers are what they are. I was left sitting there jaw hitting the floor, how come i’m left feeling worse then ever and 30lbs heavier then before RAI? I tried weight watchers and low cal, etc, but I have continued a steady weight gain. I love being active but with little/no energy alot of the time i’m definately not as active as I’d like to be. I started doing my own research and a gluten free diet was suggested more then once.
Has anyone been through similar healthy issues and have success with a gluten free diet?
Dr Davis would you recommend 1 iodoral tablet with hashimotos . My antibodies was 259 . Or should I just leave it out of my supplement daily intake ? Thanks
Iodine replacement, especially high-dose Iodoral, needs to be conducted VERY carefully and with supervision. This dose is likely to activate your Hashimoto’s.
It is very important to identify a healthcare practitioner knowledgeable about thyroid and iodine. You may have to look hard, but they are out there!
Thanks Dr Davis ! I think I have a dumb one he told me to start at 1 pill and move up . I think I will follow your advice !
While my husband was in the hospital recovering from a frightful accident (he is now expected to make a full recovery) I had a constant craving for sushi. I first tried it in the hospital cafeteria when he had elective surgery, and then, with this recent accident, I couldn’t stop eating it. With lots of wasabi!
I have hypothyroidism and fibromyalgia. The stress of my husband’s hospitalizations have been devastating to my health, say total meltdown, though I would not admit it, if this topic had not come to my attention.
My husband had go on a strict low sodium diet two years ago, and ever since then I have watched him get even trimmer and I have gained weight when I have been stable for years. I do eat the perfectly healthy diet because I’ve done it forever ( or starved myself) and have to make my husband tow the line. No way could I ever lose the weight from my pregnancies or from being on the wrong medication, or from when I was trying to get a diagnosis in the first place.
I quit eating wheat because I went through a low carb phase, and found that wheat free cured my spastic colon. You would think a girl would lose a pound without pasta. Ha! Or swim a mile and be svelte. No such luck!
And then. The sushi! I should have been all bloated and horrible from lack of sleep and the grinding stress when my husband had his accident. I should have gained weight. I did, from a few sleepless nights. But then it went away and I even weigh less by a pound or two. Amazing! I feel like I have so much more resiliency! I am going to try Iodine and see what it does.
My mother had to eat a low salt diet and I wonder if low iodine has been a chronic problem my whole life.
Also, I lived next to a busy freeway as a child, when they still had lead in gas. Does lead affect thyroid function or inhibit mineral absorbtion?