In today's episode I'm happy to introduce you to Annie Maldonado. She is the creator of the Hashimoto's summit where she's raising awareness for Hashimoto's and really helping people around the world to feel supported in their journey to reversing Hashimoto's.

Hashimoto's is an autoimmune condition where the immune system starts attacking a person's own thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped organ located at the base of the neck. It produces thyroid hormones (T4 and T3) that regulate metabolism, growth, energy production, mood, heart and digestive function, muscle control, brain development, and maintenance of bones.

In Hashimoto's, the immune system produces antibodies that attack the thyroid gland, damaging it over time. This causes thyroid hormone levels to decrease (or in rare cases to increase), leading to hypothyroidism.

The conventional medical treatment for Hashimoto’s focuses solely on replacing thyroid hormone levels using levothyroxine drugs like Synthroid or Levoxyl, which are only T4. However, this only partially addresses the low thyroid function and antibodies by taking over for the thyroid gland. It can help some, but there is much more that can be done beyond just thyroid replacement with T4.

A holistic protocol aims to heal leaky gut, reduce inflammation, remove trigger foods, enhance detoxification, balance hormones and blood sugar, improve stress resilience, optimize nutrition and gut bacteria, and support thyroid health. If you want to learn more about this approach you can read my blog on the link between Leaky Gut and Hashimoto's Disease here (https://doctordoni.com/2015/09/hashimotos-disease-and-leaky-gut/).

Annie shares that she was diagnosed with hypothyroidism 5 years ago. It's been quite a journey for her. She still doesn't have it all figured out. She struggled a lot and knows there's so many people out there that have struggled too. It's not an easy way to live life if you don't have expert guidance to protect your thyroid function.

Annie has tried all different diets, supplements, medications and lifestyle changes but still experiences significant fluctuations and flare-ups. She hopes to learn more about what will really help stabilize her health.

Annie knows significant stress relief, gut healing, hormone balancing and immunity boosting protocols are key missing pieces.

Research shows pregnancy and childbirth can commonly trigger onset of Hashimoto's disease or exacerbate existing autoimmune conditions. The substantial hormonal shifts involved coupled with physical and emotional stresses often lead to postpartum thyroiditis.

Getting regular blood panels to assess thyroid hormones, antibodies, nutrients, and other biomarkers allows precise calibration of medications and supplements. Dosages often need adjustment, but many practitioners leave patients at the same dose long term without fine tuning for each individual.

That's one of the reasons I, Dr. Doni, feel so passionate about helping patients with low thyroid function and/or Hashimoto's -- because most patients are left without adequate help to optimize doses, nor to turn off the autoimmunity. And yet, there is so much we can do to help!

Having a solid support system is invaluable when dealing with the rollercoaster ride of Hashimoto's. Connecting with others traversing the same illness provides reassurance, inspiration and guidance when family and friends can't fully relate. Patients remind each other to stick with the process, avoid quick fixes, and trust progress builds through time.

The Hashimoto’s Summit, hosted by Annie, is live Feb 15th to the 19th. You can register here (https://anniemaldonado.com/drdoni).

This Summit as an online event where those living with Hashimoto's or those who have thyroid conditions, will gain tools, insights and perspective from top experts to live healthier, live with less or no symptoms at all and live a life they really love and deserve.

To learn more about my approach to treat Hashimoto's Disease and my adrenal Stress Recovery Protocol® which involves optimizing cortisol and adrenaline levels using nutrients, herbs and C.A.R.E.TM, my proprietary program to support clean eating, adequate sleep, stress recovery and exercise, you can read all about it in my latest book Master Your Stress Reset Your Health (https://doctordoni.com/master-your-stress/)

For the most comprehensive support, even with the most difficult health issues (physical or mental), it is best to meet with me one-on-one, which is available to you no matter where you are in the world (via phone or zoom). You can set up a one-on-one appointment here (https://doctordoni.com/work-with-me/).

Please subscribe to my newsletter and to this podcast so you are sure to hear the very next episode of How Humans Heal.

We're here to help you!