The Autoimmune Thyroid Domino Effect—and How to Stop It

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 Autoimmune Thyroid Domino Effect—and How to Stop It

• Podcast Review: How Microplastics Sneak Into Your Body Every Day

• Ask Dr. Eric: Are Hair Growth Supplements Safe with Hyperthyroidism?

The Autoimmune Thyroid Domino Effect—And How To Stop It

A recent patient who joined my Natural Thyroid Health Restoration and Optimal Health Program had an interesting medical history. Years ago, she was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, but more recently, she developed symptoms of hyperthyroidism and was diagnosed with Graves’ disease.

While both conditions involve the thyroid and share an autoimmune origin, they are distinct disorders—and this overlap highlights a crucial point:

If you have one autoimmune condition, your risk of developing additional autoimmune conditions increases.

That’s why addressing immune system dysfunction—not just thyroid hormone levels—is essential for long-term health.

Can You Have Both Graves' and Hashimoto’s?

Yes, and it’s more common than many realize. Many patients have antibodies for both conditions. Here’s a quick refresher on the three primary types of thyroid antibodies:

Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) Antibodies. Most commonly associated with Hashimoto’s, but also found in many people with Graves’ disease.

Thyroglobulin Antibodies. Also linked to Hashimoto’s; their presence suggests ongoing thyroid tissue destruction and a higher likelihood of hypothyroidism.

Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulins (TSI). Specific to Graves’ disease, these stimulate the TSH receptor, causing hyperthyroidism.

When someone has antibodies for both conditions, usually they are still either predominantly hyperthyroid or hypothyroid, although there are times when their thyroid function may fluctuate between hyper- and hypothyroid states, making it even more important to focus on immune regulation—not just symptom control.

3 Steps to Reduce Your Risk of Additional Autoimmune Conditions

Whether you’ve been diagnosed with Graves’, Hashimoto’s, or both—or even if you simply have positive antibodies without significant symptoms—there are proactive steps you can take to help prevent the onset of other autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis.

Step #1: Build the Foundations of Healing. As I emphasize in all three of my books, diet, stress management, and sleep are critical.

✅ A clean, anti-inflammatory diet helps calm immune reactivity.

✅ Stress reduction helps regulate cortisol and immune balance.

✅ Quality sleep supports mitochondrial health and reduces inflammation.

In my book The Hyperthyroid Healing Diet, I mention that while most people need to go beyond diet and lifestyle to reverse autoimmunity, these same foundations might be enough to prevent the development of autoimmunity in many people who don’t currently have an autoimmune condition.

Step #2: Identify and Address Your Triggers. In my book Hashimoto’s Triggers, I explore dozens of potential autoimmune triggers—from infections and toxicants to food sensitivities and gut imbalances. Many of these same triggers apply to Graves’ disease as well.

While comprehensive testing isn’t necessary for everyone, it’s often worthwhile to consider functional medicine testing to identify hidden root causes. When I dealt with Graves’, I took a more conservative approach to testing and only did a couple of functional medicine tests, but others may benefit from more comprehensive testing based on their history and symptoms.

Step #3: Heal the Gut. Since over 70% of the immune system resides in the gut, optimizing gut health is crucial. A leaky or inflamed gut can perpetuate immune system reactivity. Supporting gut integrity through an anti-inflammatory diet, probiotics, digestive enzymes, and targeted nutrients can help calm autoimmunity and reduce antibody production over time.

Conclusion

Unaddressed thyroid autoimmunity doesn’t just put your thyroid at risk—it can increase your susceptibility to other autoimmune conditions.

If you’ve been diagnosed with Graves’ disease or Hashimoto’s—or have the antibodies for both—don’t stop at managing your labs. Take steps to:

✔️ Optimize your immune system health

✔️ Identify and eliminate triggers

✔️ Heal your gut

While there’s no guarantee you won’t develop additional autoimmune conditions, these steps can greatly reduce the risk and help you maintain long-term wellness.

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.

How much plastic, mold, and chemical pollution are you unknowingly breathing, eating, and drinking each day?

In a recent podcast episode I chatted with Dr. Stephan Neff, who explores the subtle but powerful ways environmental toxins build up in the body over time. Something as simple as reheating leftovers in plastic or using the wrong water filter can increase your toxic burden, quietly impacting thyroid health, hormones, and long-term vitality. But it’s not all bad news. Dr. Neff shares simple, affordable steps anyone can take to make their home and lifestyle safer without turning life upside down.

Click Here to discover easy ways to lower toxin exposure and protect your thyroid

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: ARE ANY HAIR GROWTH SUPPLEMENTS SAFE FOR HYPERTHYROIDISM?

The following question recently came up in my Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s Natural Solutions Support Group:

“Are any recommendations for hair growth supplements safe for hyperthyroidism?”

While the question focused on hyperthyroidism, it’s important to note that hair loss can occur in both hyperthyroid and hypothyroid conditions. Regardless of the thyroid diagnosis, the underlying approach should be the same: address the root cause first.

Before You Focus on Hair Growth—Stop the Hair Loss

When someone is struggling with hair loss, it's tempting to jump straight into growth strategies. But the first priority should always be to stop the loss. Here are three key areas to address:

Balance Thyroid Hormones. Both elevated and suppressed thyroid hormone levels can disrupt the hair growth cycle, causing increased shedding or thinning. Ensuring that your thyroid hormones—TSH, free T4, and free T3—are within optimal ranges is critical for stabilizing hair loss.

Correct Nutrient Deficiencies. Several nutrients play essential roles in hair follicle health, including:

• Biotin

• Zinc

• Selenium

• Iron

Other nutrients that can benefit hair health include vitamin A, vitamin E, and collagen. While food should always be your primary source of nutrients, supplementation may be beneficial at times—especially if gut issues are impairing absorption.

Address Sex Hormone Imbalances. Hormonal imbalances, particularly elevated androgens (like DHT), can lead to hair thinning or loss. Other sex hormone imbalances can also play a role, and healthy adrenal function is essential for balanced sex hormone production.

Can Hair Growth Supplements Help?

There’s no single supplement that works for everyone, and when dealing with a thyroid condition—especially hyperthyroidism—you must be cautious with ingredients that can overstimulate the thyroid.

Some hair growth supplements contain:

✔️ Biotin. While high amounts of biotin won’t stimulate the thyroid, but they may interfere with lab testing results if not discontinued before a thyroid panel.

✔️ Iodine. This mineral is important for thyroid hormone production, and while too little can result in hypothyroidism, in some cases, excess amounts of iodine through food (i.e. kelp) or supplementation can exacerbate hyperthyroidism.

✔️ Ashwagandha. I love this adaptogenic herb, but in some cases it can mildly stimulate the thyroid gland, especially when taken in larger amounts.

When hair growth supplements are effective, it's usually because they help to correct a nutrient deficiency. If you're lacking in a specific vitamin or mineral that supports follicle health, correcting this can result in improvement. However, if the root cause is hormonal or gut-related, supplementation alone is unlikely to be enough.

The Bottom Line

If you’re experiencing hair loss:

✅ First focus on stopping the loss, not growing new hair.

✅ Address thyroid imbalance, nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, and gut health.

Only then should you consider using hair growth supplements—and always read the label carefully if you have a thyroid condition.

If you’re still actively losing hair, it’s likely that a root cause hasn’t been fully addressed. And even if the hair loss has stabilized, your body may still need more time—or more support—to promote healthy regrowth.

Additional Thyroid-Related Resources

Click Here for How Microplastics Sneak Into Your Body Every Day with Dr. Stephan Neff

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