Supporting Lymphatics, Broccoli and Thyroid Health, White Blood Cells

Welcome to Healthy Gut Healthy Thyroid!

This is your weekly roundup of the BEST actionable steps for those people with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions who want to restore their health…by healing their gut. Whether you have hyperthyroidism or Hashimoto’s you will benefit from the content in this newsletter.

In today's issue:

• Main Topic: The Overlooked Link Between the Lymphatics, Gut, and Thyroid

• Podcast Review: Can you eat broccoli if you have a thyroid condition?

• Understand Your Tests: Understanding white blood cells

• Ask Dr. Eric: How can I support my lymphatic system?

The Overlooked Link Between the Lymphatic System, Gut and Thyroid

When it comes to the world of natural health, most people recognize the critical role of the gut and liver. However, the lymphatic system—a key player in immunity, detoxification, and fluid regulation—is often ignored. Yet, this underappreciated network is essential for maintaining overall health, and it has a profound influence on both gut integrity and thyroid function.

Let’s explore how these three systems are connected—and how supporting your lymphatic system can lead to improved thyroid health and better immune balance.

What is the Lymphatic System?

The lymphatic system is a complex web of vessels, nodes, and fluid (called lymph) that works silently behind the scenes to:

✅Circulate immune cells

✅Maintain fluid balance

✅Remove waste, pathogens, and toxins

Unlike the cardiovascular system, which uses the heart to pump blood, the lymphatic system relies on muscle movement, deep breathing, and hydration to move lymph fluid throughout the body. For this reason, daily activity and proper self-care are critical for optimal lymphatic flow.

Three Primary Functions of the Lymphatic System

Immunity: Lymph transports immune cells (like lymphocytes) throughout the body, allowing them to surveil tissues and respond to infections or abnormal cells.

Fluid Balance: It collects excess fluid from tissues and returns it to the bloodstream, preventing swelling (edema).

Waste Clearance: The lymphatics filter out cellular debris, microbes, environmental toxins, and metabolic waste products, aiding detoxification and reducing inflammation.

What Causes “Sluggish” Lymphatic Flow?

When lymphatic circulation becomes impaired, it can lead to fluid retention, chronic inflammation, tissue congestion, and compromised immunity. Contributing factors include:

• Physical inactivity

• Chronic dehydration

• Poor posture or tight clothing

• Infections

• Environmental toxicants (e.g., mold, heavy metals, pesticides)

• Inflammatory diets

• Hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone slows circulation)

The Gut-Lymphatic Connection

Roughly 70% of your immune system resides in the gut, and a significant portion of it is found in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). This includes:

• Peyer’s patches in the small intestine

• The appendix

• Isolated lymphoid follicles (ILF) throughout the intestinal lining

These structures help detect and neutralize pathogens while maintaining tolerance to food and beneficial microbes. Impaired GALT function can contribute to leaky gut, immune dysregulation, and systemic inflammation.

The Thyroid-Lymphatic Connection

The thyroid gland is nestled near a cluster of cervical lymph nodes in the neck, making it anatomically and functionally connected to the lymphatic system.

Here’s how the thyroid and lymphatics influence one another:

✔️Thyroid hormones regulate lymphatic circulation. Hypothyroidism can slow down lymph flow, while hyperthyroidism can increase metabolic stress on the system.

✔️Autoimmune thyroid conditions (like Graves’ and Hashimoto’s) involve immune dysfunction, which heavily engages the lymphatic system.

✔️Lymphatic congestion in the neck may impair drainage and immune function around the thyroid, perpetuating inflammation.

✔️Supporting lymphatic health may therefore play a supportive role in managing thyroid-related symptoms and enhancing recovery.

How to Support Your Lymphatic System

The good news is that lymphatic health can be supported with consistent, low-tech practices:

✅Daily movement: Walking, stretching, and gentle exercise stimulate lymph flow. Break up long periods of sitting with brief movement breaks.

✅Hydration: Drink clean, filtered water throughout the day. Dehydration thickens lymph and slows its movement.

✅Dry brushing: Use a natural bristle brush to gently stimulate lymph flow toward the heart before showering.

✅Rebounding: Bouncing on a mini-trampoline encourages lymph movement via gravitational shifts.

✅Vibration plate: Standing on a vibrating platform can help enhance lymph flow when used consistently.

✅Castor oil packs: Applied to the abdomen or neck, castor oil increases circulation and encourages lymphatic drainage.

✅Sauna therapy and sweating: Support detoxification and lymphatic flow through infrared or traditional sauna use.

✅Deep diaphragmatic breathing: Deep belly breathing stimulates the thoracic duct, the largest lymphatic vessel, improving flow.

Conclusion

A sluggish lymphatic system can lead to toxin buildup, inflammation, and compromised immune function—all of which can negatively affect both gut health and thyroid function. Understanding the powerful interplay between the lymphatics, gut, and thyroid can help you address the root causes of chronic symptoms and autoimmune conditions more effectively.

By incorporating daily lymphatic-supportive habits, you can enhance your body’s ability to detoxify, regulate inflammation, and restore immune balance—paving the way for improved gut health and optimal thyroid function.

Find Your Hashimoto’s Triggers

If you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, visiting an endocrinologist is likely to result in a prescription for thyroid hormone replacement. And while there is a time and place for thyroid hormone, the problem is that it doesn’t do anything for the autoimmune component of Hashimoto’s.

And so what happens is that many people will take thyroid hormone without doing anything to improve the health of their immune system, which means that over time further damage to their thyroid gland will take place.

The good news is that you can do things to reverse the autoimmune component of Hashimoto’s. And the best way to accomplish this is by finding and removing your triggers.

My book “Hashimoto’s Triggers” will show you how to do this. By reading this book you will discover the following:

• More than one dozen triggers of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

• The different diet options, and how to detect your specific food triggers

• Everything you need to know to heal your gut

• How to reduce fatigue, brain fog, hair loss, lose weight, and address other common symptoms

• Strategies to lower thyroid antibodies when nothing else has worked

• Nutritional supplements and herbs for Hashimoto’s

• A comprehensive list of the blood tests you should get, along with other specific tests that can help detect your triggers

• What you need to do to achieve optimal adrenal health

• Natural treatment options for viruses, pathogenic bacteria, parasites, Candida, and SIBO

Click Here to order the book “Hashimoto’s Triggers”

Save My Thyroid Podcast Review

I have a podcast called "Save My Thyroid", where I discuss how people with hyperthyroidism and Hashimoto's can save their thyroid and regain their health. And during each edition of this newsletter I'll briefly discuss a recent podcast episode.

In a recent Q & A podcast episode I answered the question “Can You Eat Broccoli if you Have a Thyroid Condition?” You might have been told to avoid broccoli because it's a goitrogen, but is it true that it interferes with your thyroid health?

I’m clearing up the confusion around cruciferous vegetables and thyroid health once and for all. In this Q & A episode, I explain what goitrogens really do, when you should be cautious, and why most people with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s don’t need to fear these foods. I also share how cooking can impact their effects, what signs suggest your body might not tolerate them well, and why they’re still part of my regular diet.

Understand Your Tests

Understanding White Blood Cells

As part of a comprehensive functional evaluation, I recommend that nearly all of my thyroid patients do a complete blood count (CBC) with differential. While it’s considered a basic test, it can provide a wealth of information about immune function and potential underlying issues.

In this section, we’ll focus on one specific component of the CBC—the white blood cell (WBC) count—and why it's particularly important in individuals with thyroid and autoimmune thyroid conditions.

What Are White Blood Cells?

White blood cells are a critical component of the immune system. They help the body fight infections, respond to allergens, and manage inflammation. Abnormal WBC levels—either too high or too low—can offer clues about what's happening beneath the surface.

Elevated WBCs are commonly associated with acute infections, particularly bacterial in nature.

Low WBCs are often seen in chronic infections, certain viral illnesses, or states of immune suppression. Antithyroid medication such as methimazole or PTU can also cause depressed WBCs.

The 5 Main Types of White Blood Cells

A CBC with differential breaks down the total WBC count into five subtypes, each with its own role in immune defense:

Neutrophils. These are the body's first line of defense against bacterial infections. They make up the majority of circulating white blood cells. Elevated neutrophil levels often suggest a bacterial infection or acute stress.

Lymphocytes. These are produced in the bone marrow and play a key role in adaptive immunity. Elevated lymphocytes can point to viral infections, autoimmune activity, or even chronic stress on the immune system.

Monocytes. These serve as the second line of defense, involved in removing pathogens and dead cells. They also produce interferon, an antiviral protein. Elevated monocytes are typically a marker of inflammation and may be elevated in chronic infections, recovery stages of illness, or autoimmune conditions.

Eosinophils. They are involved in reactions to allergens and parasites. High eosinophil counts are common in individuals with environmental allergies, asthma, or parasitic infections.

Basophils. These make up a very small percentage of the total WBC count. They play a role in allergic responses and are closely related to histamine release.

Case Examples

Here are a few patient scenarios that demonstrate how a CBC with differential can provide valuable insight:

Patient Test #1: A low overall WBC count, which may suggest a chronic infection, suppressed immune function, an environmental toxin or toxicant, or perhaps this person was taking antithyroid medication (in this case she wasn’t).

Patient Test #2: Elevated monocytes and eosinophils, indicating a likely combination of systemic inflammation (possibly from a chronic infection or autoimmune activity) and allergic response or parasitic involvement.

Ask Dr. Eric

During every issue I'll answer a question or two that I think can benefit most people with a thyroid or autoimmune thyroid condition. If you'd like for me to consider your question for a future edition of this newsletter email your question to [email protected].

QUESTION: HOW CAN I SUPPORT MY LYMPHATICS?

Dr. Eric, what are some ways you recommend to support the lymphatics?

Thanks for your question! As I discussed in the main section, supporting your lymphatic system is essential for maintaining a healthy immune system and promoting overall well-being.

Here are several effective strategies to support and optimize lymphatic function:

Regular Movement. One of the most effective ways to support the lymphatic system is through daily physical activity. So I recommend to engage in regular movement, including walking or even dancing, can help to stimulate lymph flow.

Dry Brushing. This is another great technique that can promote lymphatic drainage. Using a soft-bristled brush, you gently brush your skin in upward strokes, typically starting from your feet and moving toward your heart.

This action stimulates lymphatic flow and encourages the removal of dead skin cells, while also improving circulation and skin tone. It’s recommended to dry brush before showering to achieve the best results.

Rebounding. This involves jumping on a mini-trampoline, and is another excellent way to support the lymphatic system. The bouncing motion stimulates lymphatic circulation. And the good news is that you don't have to do this for long, as just a few minutes of rebounding daily can significantly support your lymphatics.

Vibration therapy. This involves the use of a vibrating platform or device that stimulates the body’s lymphatic and circulatory systems. This type of lymphatic support can be especially helpful for individuals with limited mobility or those who are unable to engage in more intense physical activity.

Flow Vibe. In the past I had Kelly Kennedy on the podcast, and she discussed the Flow Vibe, which is a biosonic vibration device she had created to help stimulate the lymph nodes.

Additional Thyroid-Related Resources

Click Here for Is Broccoli Actually Bad for My Thyroid? Here’s the Truth

Click Here for my interview with Kelly Kennedy (episode 123)

Click Here to access hundreds of thyroid-related articles and blog posts

Click Here to join the Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s community

Click Here to purchase one of Dr. Eric’s thyroid-related books

Click Here to work with Dr. Eric and his team

That’s a wrap