Many people have a bacteria called H. Pylori in their stomach. And a good number of people with this organism do not present any symptoms. However, H. Pylori can cause numerous problems with the digestive system, including duodenal and peptic ulcers, as well as gastric ulcers. Not only can this cause pain and discomfort, but it can also decrease nutrient absorption. People with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are more likely to be infected with this organism, and in this article I will talk about how you can get tested for H. Pylori, as well as discuss what natural treatment options are available for those who test positive. thus.
Why is H. Pylori more common in people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis? Well, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune thyroid disease. And as is the case with any autoimmune condition, Hashimoto’s immune system is not working properly. Although in a condition like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis the immune system is overactive, a person with this condition is even more susceptible to other conditions, one of which is H. Pylori. Although H. Pylori is spread from person to person, a person with a compromised immune system is more likely to get H. Pylori than someone with a healthy immune system. So while proper hygiene is important to minimize transmission of H. Pylori, having a healthy immune system is essential.
So if you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, one of the things you can do to lower your chance of getting H. Pylori is to address your immune system. I focus more on this in other articles, so I won’t go into detail about it here, but this is essentially achieved by eating well, avoiding common allergens like gluten and dairy (not necessarily permanently, although sometimes this is case), managing your stress, minimizing your exposure to environmental toxins, balancing hormones, replenishing your gut flora, correcting mineral deficiencies, and taking certain supplements and herbs. If it sounds complicated, that’s because it is, which is why I recommend anyone with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis consult a competent natural health practitioner.
Can H. Pylori cause Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?
While having an autoimmune thyroid condition like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can make one more susceptible to being infected with H. Pylori, can this bacteria cause a healthy person to develop Hashimoto’s thyroiditis? There is some controversy about this, as some studies show that having H. Pylori will not increase the chance of developing an autoimmune thyroid condition, while other sources state that if someone has a genetic marker for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, then having H. Pylori can trigger autoimmune response. If this is the case, simply getting rid of this bacteria will not usually get rid of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which is where following a natural treatment protocol will come into play.
This does not mean that most cases of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are caused by H. Pylori, as this is probably not the case. But it’s something to keep in mind, and of course once someone has some kind of infection, the goal should be to eradicate it. I honestly don’t know if H. Pylori can cause Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, but I’ve seen great things happen from getting rid of this bacteria in people with autoimmune thyroid conditions, as with some people, getting rid of this bacteria seems to have helped reduce the thyroid antibodies. To be honest, this is based on a very small sample size, but for someone who has high thyroid antibodies and can’t lower them by removing gluten, balancing hormones and minerals, etc., then this is something to look at. .
Tests for the presence of H. Pylori
There are a few different ways to detect an H. Pylori infection. The method I commonly use is the saliva-based test, although blood or stool testing can also be done. Another option to consider is a breath test… yes, you heard me right! Although I do not use this method, it is supposedly a very accurate method to determine if someone is infected with this bacteria.
H. Pylori and Natural Treatment Methods
In my opinion it is definitely worth following a natural treatment protocol to help eradicate H. Pylori. However, this does not always work for everyone. On the other hand, the same goes for conventional medical treatment, which usually involves the administration of antibiotics. So since there’s no guarantee either will work, I generally recommend doing one of two things:
1) Start a natural treatment protocol to see if it will eradicate H. Pylori. This typically involves avoiding refined foods and dietary carbohydrates for at least 30 days, taking probiotics, garlic, mastic gum, and the herbs thyme, turmeric, and goldenseal. Most people respond well to this natural treatment protocol, but it doesn’t always permanently eliminate H. Pylori.
2) Combine natural and conventional treatment methods. Although I am not a fan of taking antibiotics if they are not necessary, for some people, combining both medical and conventional treatment methods is a good option. So, in this case, one would take the antibiotics following the natural treatment protocol that I discussed above. Following this approach will almost always eradicate H. Pylori.
So which of these two options would you recommend? Not surprisingly, I would recommend simply trying the natural approach alone for at least 30 days and then retesting for H. Pylori. If it is still positive, you can continue with the natural treatment protocol and introduce the antibiotics.
We hope this article has provided you with valuable information to help you eradicate H. Pylori. As I briefly mentioned, many people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can also restore their health to normal by following a natural treatment protocol. This, of course, would imply a different approach to getting rid of H. Pylori, although there is some overlap in treatment, especially when it comes to dietary and lifestyle factors.