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Autoimmune & Lasers: The future is now!


Low Level Laser Therapy and Your Thyroid – The Latest Research shows…

By Ian Hollaman, DC, MSc, IFMCP

Lasers, powerful beams of light that affect how our body functions whether it’s our eyes, our fat cells, and now research is showing our thyroid.  In 2015, I wrote a blog about low level laser therapy and the thyroid based in research out of Brasil.

A new research article has now been published that takes that study to the next level showing longer term effects of low level laser on the thyroid.  There have been questions whether the low level laser would be effective for long periods of time, if it permanently changes how the thyroid functions, would continued laser therapy be needed, and many more questions.  This new research article begins the search into these questions.

The previous research showed that thyroid hormone replacement dose was reduced in a significant number of test subjects.  In 22/23 patients in the therapy group of the study there was also an increased echogenicity (density of tissue indicating thyroid regeneration).   Eleven out of 23 people in the therapy group did not need to reintroduce thyroid hormones before the ninth month of the follow-up period were as all the patients in the control group needed thyroid hormone replacement (and multiple subjects needed to increase dose).  Not only did TSH levels drop in the therapy group, but so did TPO-Ab.  The quality of thyroid tissue also improved in that the density of tissue increased indicating less inflammation and increased tissue capable of producing thyroid hormones.

While this was all exciting research on low level laser therapy on the thyroid, the question remained: would it last and does low level laser therapy change the number of thyroid nodules?

While there was not a statistically significant difference in the number of nodules, technically, the therapy group had fewer.  However, the encouraging part of the research was the information found at 270 days post intervention of low level laser therapy and 6 years post conclusion of the therapy.  The data from these two follow up dates showed a significant difference between the treated group and the control group.  The average thyroid hormone replacement dosage for the control was 142mcg  and low level laser treatment group averaged 94mcg.  This may not seem like a lot, but we now know that levothyroxine therapy is significantly correlated to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth risk

(https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28223728).  The least amount of medication is critical for gut health as well as thyroid health.  And, this research clearly indicates that thyroid function at 6 years is significantly improved with laser therapy!

There are a few more take home points I wanted to mention.  First, patients responded to laser therapy for at least 11 months.  The effects of low level laser therapy are transient and therefore, new therapy sessions will be needed over time to maintain results.  This may seem disappointing that the laser is not a fix all cure, but don’t despair!  This clearly indicates that these patients need to address the underlying root cause for their thyroid disorder, not just use a therapy that helps the thyroid.  Remember, Hashimoto’s disease is NOT a disorder of the thyroid primarily, it is an auto-immune disease and the immune system needs to be the target!

This also demonstrates there is a viable alternative to thyroid medication therapy if done in conjunction with laboratory monitoring studies and if the functional medicine approach is utilized effectively.  This means hard work, many times dietary changes and an analysis of stressors and the environment.  But, when you can pin down those root cause triggers we have tools to physically rehabilitate the thyroid – Low Level Laser Therapy!
Low level laser therapy with functional medicine can be a powerful combination to let your health soar!

Let your health soar,
Ian Hollaman, DC, MSc, IFMCP

Thyroid Health Happy Hour – March 14th at Shine


Dr. Autoimmune presents a Thyroid Health Happy Hour with a screening of the docuseries The Thyroid Secret on March 14th at Shine Restaurant in downtown Boulder.

This screening is a montage of clips from The Thyroid Secret docuseries that may just have the information you’ve been looking for to take your thyroid health to the next level! Learn how the current medical system misdiagnoses and underdiagnoses thyroid conditions. You’ll learn valuable information about nutrition, herbs and self-care practices to improve thyroid health. You’ll also hear several success stories from people who have suffered for years with thyroid symptoms and finally found the answers they needed!

The following thyroid experts will be featured in the screening:

Doors open at 5:30pm and the screening begins at 6pm.

Q & A session will be held after the screening from 7:30-8pm with Dr. Ian Hollaman (of Dr. Autoimmune in Boulder).

Included with your ticket you’ll receive:

  • a Shine Potion
  • light thyroid-friendly appetizers
  • a screening of some of the highlights from the 9-part docuseries The Thyroid Secret
  • portion of your ticket price will be donated to the Emergency Family Assistance Association in Boulder
  • an exclusive offer for event attendees: $100 OFF the New Patient Consultation at Dr. Autoimmune

Shine will provide a cash bar and menu service for additional food and beverages.

TICKET INFO

Earlybird: $14
Available online through March 13th
Regular Admission: $18
Available on March 14th online & at the door

PURCHASE TICKETS

Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite through March 14th at 5pm. Tickets can also be purchased at the door the day of the event.

Dr. Ian to be featured in a Thyroid docu-series

The Thyroid Secret - a 9-part docu-seriesI’ve just got word that I can finally let you in on something that I’ve known about for several months, but was sworn to secrecy!

My friend Dr. Izabella Wentz and her amazing team have put together an incredible 9-part documentary series on thyroid disease that’s going to be nothing short of groundbreaking when it comes to how we treat one of the most overlooked diseases in our country today. And the buzz is already building around this powerful documentary series that Izabella and her team have produced.

I’m so proud to announce that I will actually BE IN the documentary! Dr. Wentz contacted me personally and asked if I would participate, and when I heard the depth and scope of this project, I just couldn’t say no.

And I want to invite YOU to a sneak preview as my special guest. Part One will be live on January 19th and you can visit the documentary website to sign-up now and watch the trailer!

The Thyroid SecretIn this series, Dr. Wentz has interviewed over 50 thyroid patients to listen to their personal and sometimes heartbreaking stories, and she’s put together over 100 of the TOP experts in integrative thyroid treatment to unmask the dark veil surrounding thyroid issues (and how to recover from them), including Dr. Datis Kharrazian, Chris Kresser, Dr. Mark Hymen, Dr. Amy Myers, Dr. Sarah Ballantyne and so many more!
So take just a minute and mark January 19th at 9am EST on your calendar right now, and then click right HERE to go and reserve your spot for this special premiere. You’ll have a front-row seat before anyone else in the world (except the lucky few) to see this groundbreaking new information about your thyroid.

If you or someone you love has suffered from thyroid disease I urge you to reserve your spot now.
It’s all FREE for you to watch. That’s right, the whole documentary, all 9 parts will be aired free of charge. Starting January 19th there will be a brand new episode up for you to watch for 24 hours until the next episode is ready.
I can’t wait to hear what you think of the documentary, and I’m excited and humbled to be a part of it.

Today is the day to make a shift in your life towards better health. It’s within reach, and it’s yours for the taking.

Let your health soar!
Ian Hollaman, DC, MSc, IFMCP