Even as a holistic nutritionist who lives and breathes health and wellness, my lab results still surprise me sometimes. That’s why I make it a point to run my own full blood panel regularly. It’s not about being perfect but more so staying informed and in tune with myself. And during my most recent round of labs, something caught my attention: my thyroid antibodies were way higher than they should be.
Now, I wasn’t dealing with full-blown thyroid symptoms. My energy was decent, and nothing felt drastically wrong. But those numbers were definitely a red flag. Elevated thyroid antibodies are often a sign that the immune system is attacking the thyroid—something I often see in my practice with women. So, I want to share exactly what those numbers looked like, what they mean, and everything I did to bring them back down, from gut healing and supplements to emotional work and diet changes.
My thyroid numbers came back with elevated antibodies. Specifically:
If you’re unfamiliar with these terms, they’re markers we use to screen for autoimmune thyroid conditions. You can have “in-range” TSH, Free T3, and Free T4 levels and still deal with inflammation or immune dysfunction at the thyroid level. And that was exactly the case for me; I had a feeling something was off even though many of my labs were categorized as “normal.” This is why getting labs done regularly is so crucial. You can feel mostly fine, but that doesn’t mean everything under the surface is running smoothly.
So, let’s talk about what I did to fix these readings.
You’ll hear me say repeatedly that autoimmunity starts in the gut. The gut is where your immune system lives. It’s your first line of defense, filter, and communication line all rolled into one. When I saw my elevated antibodies, I didn’t go straight to “treating the thyroid.” I zoomed in on gut health first because the thyroid is often the victim, not the root cause.
I made sure to consistently incorporate colostrum into my everyday routine. Colostrum is the first milk mammals produce, and it’s incredibly rich in immunity properties, growth factors, and nutrients that help repair the gut lining. Plus, colostrum can be a game-changer if you’ve got any degree of leaky gut (which so many of us do). I took ARMRA, a high-quality, grass-fed bovine colostrum powder daily. It really helped soothe inflammation in the gut and seal things up.
I ramped up my intake of fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and coconut kefir. Due to their live culture activity, probiotic-rich foods like fermented vegetables and kefir are health bombs for the gut microbiome. I also increased my intake of prebiotic foods like garlic, onions, leeks, and whole grains to fuel the probiotics.
My vitamin D levels were okay, but I knew they could be better. I boosted my supplement intake to increase my levels to that optimal 60–80 ng/mL range. And PSA: Vitamin D isn’t just for bones! It’s a powerful modulator of the immune system. When it comes to autoimmunity, you want your immune system to calm down, not be on high alert.
Stress, sleep, energy, hormones, digestion—magnesium supports all of it. I made sure I was taking a good quality magnesium glycinate in the evenings to help my nervous system wind down and support overall balance.
I’ve been intrigued by LDN for a while and finally decided to try it. It’s a low-dose version of a medication that’s typically used in much higher doses for opioid addiction. Still, at small doses, it works completely differently to rebalance the immune system and reduce inflammation.
Almost immediately I noticed differences like reduced overall inflammation, more stable mood, and enhanced sleep. However, although LDN worked wonders for me, I need to mention that it isn’t for everyone. But if you’re dealing with autoimmunity, it’s worth exploring with your doctor.
This is another must. Glutathione is your body’s natural antioxidant. It helps detoxify, reduce inflammation, and protect cells from oxidative stress. When you’re dealing with any kind of chronic immune activation, glutathione gets used up fast. I used a liposomal glutathione supplement daily, and within weeks, I felt clearer and calmer.
Here’s where it gets real because, even with the best supplements, you can’t “supplement” your way out of chronic stress. I’d had a few months where I was riding the wave of elevated cortisol and adrenaline due to a few challenging life events and business in general. Honestly, I probably pushed myself a little too hard, which I have been known to do. Autoimmune flares can be triggered by emotional stress just as much as physical triggers. So I knew I needed to do the work to dial it back.
I made sure I was taking action every single day to support my nervous system, whether that was a 20-minute walk with no phone, a breathwork session, or quality time with my daughters. It’s not always about doing more. Sometimes, it’s about doing less and allowing space for healing.
This was big. I’ve always believed that stored emotions and unprocessed stress live in the body. If we don’t address it, it builds up, and the body eventually responds with symptoms. So, I worked on myself. I sought support via energy and body therapy. I journaled. I got honest about where I was holding onto resentment, fear, or perfectionism. I gave myself permission to slow down and feel it all. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary.
Finally, once I dug into the emotional work and added supportive supplements, I took a closer look at my diet and realized a few sneaky foods I used to avoid had crept back in. I’d been eating more gluten, eggs, and soy than usual. While I wasn’t going overboard, I know from experience that even small amounts of these foods can trigger inflammation when antibodies are high. So, I pulled all three out of my diet to give my body a break. I focused on clean proteins, loads of veggies, healthy fats, and healing foods like bone broth and fermented foods. For some women, cutting caffeine can also be helpful during this time, especially if your adrenals are already under pressure. Even small changes in your diet can have a powerful impact on your immune system.
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If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this, it’s that your lab results are a signal showing you where your body is asking for support and your intuition is just as important. The answer is rarely a quick fix but a combination of several consistent changes. But if something is off in your labs, don’t panic. Get curious, get compassionate, and get honest about what your body might be asking for. Healing is about reconnecting with yourself, listening deeply, and being willing to shift for your well-being. If you’re not sure where to start or need someone to walk through it with you, I’d be honored to help. You can book a one-on-one session with me, and we’ll create a plan tailored to your body and life.
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