Hashimoto’s and Elderberry
Posted , 10 users are following.
Hi All,
I of course have and have had Hashimotos for many years or I would not be posting here. However, my question pertains to the use of Elderberry with Hashimotos. I've read of course the warnings that it may cause an immune overreaction, but does anyone specifically have experience taking Elderberry and having a negative reaction with their Hashi's? Most warnings on the web are theoretical, without evidence of adverse reactions. Any user experience and insight is appreciated!
0 likes, 10 replies
sweetmelissa Averagejoe01
Posted
I myself have never taken elderberry with my Hashi's, but I do know that you shouldn't take things that make the immune system stronger because the stronger your immune system, than the stronger the attack would be on your thyroid and damage will come at a more considerable rate than with a weaker immune system. Our immune systems have pretty much turned against us and it's better to keep it on the weaker side. I would suggest that if you still decide to take elderberry, to make sure you get a CBC (complete blood count) and maybe even the thyroid antibody tests, every few months, just to make sure your not causing your immune system to overreact. Best wishes..
Averagejoe01 sweetmelissa
Posted
Thank you Melissa for replying. I have absolutely heard the theory that it can overdrive the immune system, and I understand it in theory, however I have never actually heard of users experiencing this personally. I wish there were studies out there that showed biologically this phenomenon occuring. That is good advise to see a CBC after some weeks to see if the white blood cells or EOS rising. That would be certain confirmation.
chaundaw08 Averagejoe01
Posted
Hi. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's and took elderberry for a few months before I knew about the risks involved. I took 10ml everyday. After a month I felt more anxious, a tightness in my throat, but my TPO antibodies remained steady.
I researched and found out later that people with Hashimoto's should avoid anything that would stimulate the immune system to attack. So, I wouldn't advise to use elderberry.
If you're looking for something to protect you this cold and flu season, I have had great success with black cumin seed powder. I grind up the seeds in a coffee grinder and take 5ml with honey or blue agave on an empty stomach in the morning and last thing at night. I've been doing this for about year and my TPO antibodies dropped from a 355 to 200 within the first four months of taking it. I get tested again in November and I have no doubt that it has dropped some more. And I had one cold that was short-lived and mild.
Black cumin seed has also been apart of several clinical trials including Hashimoto's and hypothyroid patients and medical professionals concluded that it may be a viable treatment to help lower antibodies. Do some research and see what you find.
Along with black cumin seed, I am gluten free and dairy free. (I was gluten and dairy free for a while, but I didn't see a drop in TPO antibodies until I added black cumin seed ).
Hope this helps. I normally don't respond because all the good advise on here is just so awesome! But, this was right for me to respond so that someone else can learn from my experience.
Averagejoe01 chaundaw08
Posted
Chaundaw,
That is amazing advise of which I have not heard yet. I will most certainly take you up on that and report back my results. When you were on the elderberry, did you notice any abnormal fatigue, or actually catching more illnesses? Curiously, my first day on elderberry yesterday I began to come down with a horrible cold which has continued into today. I am worried I am having the opposite effect with this experiment.
chaundaw08 Averagejoe01
Posted
I didn't have fatigue, but it was difficult for me to go to sleep. And I had terrible sinus congestion that allergy medicines and decongestants had no effect. The swelling in my nasal cavities were so bad I thought I had sleep apnea. I even went to a sleep specialist to get overnight evaluation and turned out that I was fine. I never thought to attribute those symptoms to taking elderberry. Can't say for sure if it caused them, but I do know that I felt better after I stopped taking elderberry. It took a couple of months for the swelling and congestion to go away.
So if you experiment is going awry, stop now and give yourself time to recover. You will in time. Stock up on vitamin D3 and vitamin C as well.
caroline62781 Averagejoe01
Posted
hi,
A bit late here but felt like sharing my experience with this. I don't have Hashi but had a partial thyroidectomy because of hyperthyroidism and nodules everywhere and I also had anxiety and panic attacks all the time.
I had anemia so I tried a supplement liquid where the main ingredient was elderberry. Took it for months and couldn't figure out why I was feeling so bad. basically it gave me panic attacks the next day, and I didn't think it was linked to that until I looked up the ingredients online.
I'm not a doctor and can't tell you if that's good or bad for you. but I do know that's strong stuff and unless you know the dosage and how to take it. stay far from everything that would affect your thyroid's behavior. it's such a pain to live with thyroid problem.
Good luck ❤️
helen95758 Averagejoe01
Posted
I, just by chance, read something about elderberry and autoimmune diseases. i have hashimotos disease and I've been taking elderberry for about six months. I hadn't realised that this could be the cause of my troubles. I have had either 5 bad colds or one really long one over the last six months. I am signed off work right now as I'm choked up with swollen throat and glands, and laryngitis and feeling really bad. I'm stopping elderberry right now. I'll post again in a few weeks and see if there is any improvement.
Averagejoe01 helen95758
Posted
Hi Helen,
I suspect that certainly could be an issue. I have found that if I take anything that ramps up my immune system like elderberry, echinacea, or too many B-C vitamins that my Hashi's goes into overdrive. Which typically means the brain fog increases, the muscle/joint pain, terrible terrible fatigue. Usually, after a week of quiting I go back to what is "normal" for someone with Hashi's. Definitely report back your findings, it would be interesting to see if you have improvement!
lyn08083 Averagejoe01
Posted
Hello, new here and read these replies. So, am I reading that you shouldn't take antioxidants or B vitamins or anything that boosts your immune system???😲 Can allergies cause any type of swelling just on one side of the thyroid from something like post nasal drip? I prefer to treat with natural things which I thought I was, so any suggestions? I took elderberry last year and when I got my hormone panel done, my TSH was 6.0...from 2.3 the year before so I just had this years physical and will see if going off the elderberry helped but I have still been taking vitamins and supplements such as Zinc, Curamin, Methyl B, D3, Etc... I heard that a tablespoon a day of Organic extra virgin olive oil has a host of benefits also.
maria____a64048 Averagejoe01
Posted
Hi, I have been living with Graves Disease for many years now. I too have been taking Elderberry. I didn't notice at for awhile, that after taking it for several days I would become jittery, anxious rapid heartbeat.