Written by: Pamela
I developed Hashimoto’s (autoimmune) Hypothyroidism and was searching for a way to relieve the symptoms. I had suffered significant weight gain, severe fatigue, hormonal imbalance, sleep issues, and pain in my joints, muscles – essentially all over. My doctors were of very little help beyond initial diagnosis and prescribing Levoxyl. The medication helped, but only a little.
I read a number of success stories online and was very inspired by them. I had incredible motivation in the form of a young child that needs me that made me determined.
Before
So in September 2011, I decided to give Paleo a go – and WOW did it work! And it was not nearly as difficult as I imagined it would be!
Robb’s revelation that my gallbladder removal indicated undiagnosed celiac disease (p. 81 “Full of Bile” in The Paleo Solution) was very powerful. My surgeon told me I nearly died during that operation at the age of 27. If I had only known! I am not exaggerating when I say this information saved me. I’ve had a few close calls in my life that can now be attributed to gluten/celiac issues: nearly ruptured appendix, serious complications during gallbladder surgery, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and Hashimoto’s (autoimmune) Thyroiditis.
In addition to the Paleo dietary recommendations, I also avoid dairy and nightshades due to my autoimmunity. I also follow(ed) recommendations from GAPS (bone broth, probiotics, etc) in the healing process. My exercise consists of walking my dog and house/yard work.
I no longer suffer. I look and feel great at 60+ lbs less than my heaviest/sickest point. I went from a size 16 to an 8 in one year; I look 10 years younger with my hair color/texture returning. Additional benefits: no body odor (I now use magnesium oil as my “deodorant”) and dramatic improvement in my mood, hormonal balance, and marriage! I am 45 years old, 5’10” tall, size 6/8, and weigh just under 160 lbs.
I will NEVER go back to “before”!!
Many, many thanks and much love to Robb Wolf, Mark Sisson, Tara Grant and the online Paleo community for showing me the way to heal(th)!! I truly owe them my life.
J Pamela
After
Pamela,
It’s great to read about (and see) your wonderful transformation. I was having kind of a low day today, and seeing how you were able to take control of your health and make such a huge positive change has cheered me up. 🙂
I love that Pamela turned her health around and congratulate her! However it is important to remember that each individual is different. Not everyone with Hashimoto’s is gluten intolerant or has an issue with leaky gut. This idea that a specific dietary change will work the same for everyone is problematic. I have suffered with Hashimotos for years and have tried everything under the sun. I eat very well. I eat very clean. I have no food allergies. What we eat is very important especially if we are existing in a disease state. What we eat may or may not make us feel noticeably better and it may or may not help us with our ongoing symptoms. I feel vulnerable to anyone who says they have cured Hashimotos because I want there to be a cure. I feel vulnerable to the medical community because they controll my testing and my medication. Nothing will replace a healthy Thyroid gland – not a pill and not a particular diet. I wish everyone well on their road to better health and healing – Love.
If you haven’t seen it yet, check out this free ebook from our friend Chris Kresser http://chriskresser.com/thyroid
I’d like to second what Melanie said! I was in a low mood as well, dwelling on my own health issues, and reading about your incredible progress brought a smile to my face. I like how you have incorporated other healthy things into your lifestyle in addition to Robb’s Paleo Solution, like magnesium oil and parts of GAPS (which I’m currently on). My progress is very slow going, but stories like yours give me hope!
Good for you! Carry on!
Way to go Pamela! Shows you are a great role model for your kiddo! So awesome that you no longer have to suffer, if only the medical community would recommend the Paleo way of life. Success stories like yours are living proof that it works!
Thanks, Everyone!
I submitted this story in hopes that it will help others – both by inspiring some to try Paleo, and to encourage others to keep on. One day at a time – it all starts somewhere!
I am incredibly grateful to Robb for sharing his work with us! His insights about autoimmunity were key to my recovery. At one point before diagnosis, I was so sick I could barely eat. I knew I was in big trouble, but had no idea what was happening. I hate to think where I would be if I hadn’t discovered Paleo. A very scary thought, indeed.
So, kudos to all of you living the lifestyle – and pass it on! There are far too many people suffering needlessly.
🙂 Pamela
I have just been told that I have a Fatty Liver. I read so many success stories about other things that Paleo can help but not so much on NAFLD. I read mostly that cutting out saturated fats and frutose helps. But there is a lot of saturated fats on the paleo diet from what I can see. I do need to lose about 40 lbs and most everyone on here mention weight lost following this diet. Just getting getting a lot of conflicting information.. and maybe this is not where I should ask this question. Good luck in your journey to better health.
Cheers
Marilyn
As Robb would say: Give it a try for 30 days. It certainly cannot hurt!
From all the materials I have read, this lifestyle will help fatty liver. By getting adequate proper nutrition, balancing hormones and limiting sugars, the body will heal and correct itself. Just give it time.
Perhaps send the question directly to Robb. He responds directly and via his podcasts to questions like these. 🙂
I also have NAFLD.. Doctor believes that it is the sat.fat that is the cause, and told me to eat low fat and increase grains… Hmmmmm It’s the sugar that causes the NAFLD not the fat. I use to eat a ton of sugar, now very little.
I, too, have been told I have a fatty liver and am in the process of having blood tests and such checking other health issues. Was also recently hospitalized with gastritis (so they think) so am seriously considering starting on Paleo.
Some friends have done so who look and feel great. It looks pretty simple, just hard to cut the bad foods one might be used to. Overall though the food recommended looks pretty darn great!
Hey Pamela – Thanks for your story!
I also had Hashimotos and gained a significant amount of weight. My thyroid was removed about 10 years ago because of a cancerous tumour and large goiter. Needless to say I take daily meds for Hypothyroidism. I’ve been stuggling for an awfully long time.
I started Paleo 5 weeks ago and I feel amazing compared to how I felt when I started. It helps that my husband is on board with it as well. I haven’t stepped on a scale but my clothes are fitting better and my energy is up so I “move” by walking my dog daily and going to the gym 3 times a week. Although I feel much better, I have my down days and doubt I’m actually losing “weight”. I think because I still have a long way to go.
I needed to read inspirational stories today and yours was just perfect.
Thank you!!!
Maria
Your story is very helpful and hopeful for me. I too was diagnosed with Hashimotos and hypo thyroid in Sept 2012, So far my meds are not up to right levels for me yet. I am so sick and tired of the joint pain. I gained 37 pounds on an already 30 pounds overweight body. I am so tired and because of the joint pain there is no way i can walk or exercise at this time. I am just learning about this diet, and I believe it will help me. I am a sugar addict don’t know how i can get this out of my system. I bought a cookbook yesterday and going to make a grocery list to get started ASAP. Only problem I don’t have anyone for support. I am used to eating out at least 5 days a week. Now I will have to cook all my meals. This will take some adjustments. But hearing that my joint pain will go away it is really worth a try. I also suffer from Migraines I have read that this diet may help with that also.
Would love to hear from anyone who can give me support.
LaDonna
It is so hard to cook when you’re tired and hurting! I’ve found it helps to split up the cooking chores and do some earlier in the day, like chopping onions or browning meat. Even just getting the pans or bowls out that I will need helps me stick to my plan. Don’t wait until you’re hungry to start thinking about a meal. I have lupus and just started eating paleo. I noticed a difference in my pain and fatigue levels right away. Then this past week we celebrated my daughter’s birthday: cake and ice cream, leftover cake, more leftover cake. Ugh. I feel terrible and don’t even want to look at that junk now! I know it’s hard to start the diet, LaDonna, but I know you’ll be so glad you did!
Pamela, thank you for sharing your story! Were you able to lose the weight while on Levoxyl or did you switch to armour or another T4/T3 thyroid replacement hormone?
Yana
Not everyone that has a problem with their gallbladder will even notice anything at all. The fact is that the majority of people that have gallstones will experience no gallbladder symptoms at all. The good thing about these cases is that if there are no symptoms then the gallstones are causing no problems and they can just be left there without having to worry about any negative effects on the health.
Hey All,
Thought it might be time for an update. Since I first shared my story with you in 2012, a lot has happened – including starting my own blog and having a baby at the age of 47!
It has now been FOUR years since I first went Paleo, and I still will NEVER go back to “BEFORE”! Enjoy! 🙂
http://pamelaspaleolife.com/2015/09/14/four-years-of-paleo-living/