Interview with Vanessa Blumhagen

She is the founder of Hashimoto Germany, an author, and herself affected by Hashimoto's disease. In a conversation with Tigogreen Managing Director Tanja Hohenester, Vanessa Blumhagen provides valuable insights and tips for managing the autoimmune disease Hashimoto, in which the thyroid tissue is attacked by the body's own immune system. Vanessa shares her expertise and personal experiences, which she has documented in her books on Hashimoto's thyroiditis. This article provides an overview of symptoms, treatment options, and proven strategies for successful Hashimoto's management, directly from an expert and sufferer.

How did Hashimoto Germany come about?

Vanessa Blumhagen, founder of Hashimoto Germany

Great tasks are often preceded by great coincidences. After three (!) years of searching for a diagnosis, Vanessa first discovered Hashimoto's disease by chance, not through a doctor. Of course, the Hashimoto diagnosis was subsequently confirmed by a doctor.

" Despite the traditional prescription pill, which you're supposed to take once a morning, I didn't notice any change. I wasn't losing weight, my hair continued to fall out, I was still exhausted, I was going through menopause in my late 20s, I had a lot of allergies, and my arms and legs were falling asleep."

America 2010: The topic of hormones, women's health, and Hashimoto's was already omnipresent, so Vanessa stocked up on books and made appointments with hormone experts. Here in Germany, this wasn't possible at the time; experts were hard to find.

“I have implemented all my Hashimoto knowledge”

I implemented everything I learned in these books and from the American hormone experts. And lo and behold:

“My hair grew back, the pounds fell off, I no longer had allergies, my period started again and was regular—it was life-changing.”

Somehow, these successes reached a Munich publisher, who asked, "Would you like to write a book about this?" It was a resounding success, and invitations to appear on television programs were accompanied by Facebook posts that, on some channels, received more messages and comments than ever before. In other words, the topic was hot, and demand was extremely high. Thus, Hashimoto Germany was born.

Workshops for Hashimoto sufferers

There are regular online lectures on various topics for Hashimoto's sufferers. These are particularly important to Vanessa: "My lectures are always live, nothing pre-recorded." This allows Hashimoto sufferers to ask questions and hear everything important explained live. Particularly important is the topic of "optimally adjusting thyroid hormones," which Vanessa says is the most crucial aspect of Hashimoto's.

Knowledge exchange at the annual Hashimoto Day

In addition, every year there is "Hashimoto Day," a conference for those affected with great invited speakers and appropriate exhibitors - we at Tigogreen were privileged to be there in Hamburg in 2023. Vanessa passionately emphasizes:

"Hashimoto Day is incredibly powerful, especially because it offers a fantastic opportunity to meet 200 other Hashimoto sufferers. No expert or doctor can help as well as direct interaction. I personally appeal to everyone on site: Network, exchange numbers, form WhatsApp groups, meet up, and support one another!"

Vanessa Blumhagen's Hashimoto book: “Every day I got fatter and more tired”

In her first book, the author discusses a holistic health concept and how she integrates it into Hashimoto's disease. There is a consensus that virtually all illnesses today, whether autoimmune or endometriosis, have one thing in common: the cause lies in lifestyle.

"You have to imagine, our genetics are such that we're still sitting at altitude, occasionally defeating saber-toothed tigers, getting food, and then returning to the community. There's no stress, no pesticides, no artificial light."

However, these are the factors that fuel or cause modern diseases.

“It’s about bringing as much of this stress-free primal life back into our modern lives as possible in order to eliminate the causes of these illnesses ,” says Vanessa Blumhagen.

No. 1 - Avoid toxins

To return to this primal life without moving into a cave, it is especially important to avoid toxins wherever possible. This includes:

• Buy organic food
• Wash fresh fruit and vegetables thoroughly before eating
• Install water filter
• Use natural cosmetics like Tigoderm (Vanessa: “It takes 30 minutes for what we apply to the skin to reach the bloodstream!”)
• Avoid synthetic clothing or wash new clothes three times before wearing them for the first time ( “The color also passes through the skin barrier”)
• Natural instead of synthetic hair colors
• Avoid artificial eyelashes and fingernails

If you're afraid of changing or giving up all of this, the motto is: "Change little by little and establish the new habits in your own life." There is still too little measurement and research into what all the substances like PFAs that are circulating on Earth do to our tissue when they come into contact with it.

The basis for Hashimoto: the right diet

The following foods should be eliminated from your diet:

• gluten
• Conventionally produced dairy products
• soy
• caffeine
• Sugar
• Lots of vegetables, no gluten for Hashimoto

Avoiding gluten - getting out of the Hashimoto flare-up

Gluten is at the top of the list of substances to avoid in Hashimoto's disease. Firstly, gluten causes perforations in the intestinal mucosa, making it easier for pathogens to penetrate the intestines. This promotes allergies, intolerances, or autoimmune diseases. Secondly, to the misguided immune system in Hashimoto's disease, gluten molecules look exactly like thyroid antibodies. When gluten circulates in the body, the misguided immune system attacks the thyroid cells, destroying the tissue and thus preventing the thyroid from producing thyroid hormones. This is ultimately the clinical picture of Hashimoto's disease.

" It's important to get out of this flare-up. The number one measure is to eliminate gluten from your diet completely and forever. Every roll or cake sets a Hashimoto person back three to six months; that's how long it takes the body to eliminate the gluten from the system. I haven't had a single flare-up in ten years."

Vanessa adds:

“I have also observed tremendous changes in those affected by giving up gluten: skin problems disappear, weight loss of 10 kg, brain fog subsides, and allergies disappear.”

Dairy products

In particular, conventionally produced, pasteurized dairy products lacking valuable nutrients should be avoided. They promote weight gain, inflammation, and intestinal imbalance.

soy

On the one hand, soy is often genetically modified, and on the other hand, soy prevents the incorporation of iodine into T4, one of the thyroid hormones. It consists of the amino acid tyrosine and four molecules of iodine. Soy blocks the receptors on the thyroid where iodine would normally bind. "By consuming soy, we are creating our own hypothyroidism."

caffeine

Caffeine damages the adrenal glands, which are usually already damaged in autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto's. The adrenal glands and thyroid work to balance each other. Fortunately, there's a wide selection of gluten-free flours and products available in organic stores and supermarkets these days. Buckwheat is currently at the forefront of baking gluten-free bread and cakes—definitely try it!

How much iodine for Hashimoto?

In general, it is particularly important to take supplements if you have Hashimoto's, as foods these days tend to be nutrient-poor, and nutrient consumption is significantly higher in those affected. The best thing to do is have a doctor test to determine which nutrients are actually present and in what quantities. Have your blood iodine and urine iodine levels checked to see what's missing. Until a few years ago, the saying was "Stay away from iodine if you have Hashimoto's." That's only half the truth. If the TPO and TG antibodies are elevated, this rule applies: do not take iodine under any circumstances. This is because this already indicates inflammation of the thyroid. Adding iodine to the mix is ​​like adding fuel to the fire. First, you need to ensure that the antibody concentration drops. If these are reduced again and iodine deficiency is detected in the urine at the same time, it is important to supplement iodine. Not with iodized salt, as iodine is very volatile and therefore hardly any iodine is left.

Kelp as the best source of iodine

The best source of iodine is kelp. It's important to pay attention to the origin and the laboratory certification. Good supplement manufacturers should provide a certificate with laboratory results to ensure that the algae are not contaminated with heavy metals . Iodine intake should be increased gradually, up to about 150 µg daily. Any more would be excessive.

Iodine is important for two reasons

Firstly, the thyroid needs iodine to function, as this trace element is a key component of thyroid hormones. There is also another important factor. Our breasts have iodine receptors, which absolutely must be filled with iodine. This also reduces the risk of breast cancer. Many women, and men, develop breast cancer – in Germany, approximately 2,000 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.

Hashimoto: Reduce inflammation and have fun

Hashimoto's is also an inflammation of the thyroid. Therefore, it's important to ensure that inflammatory processes in the body are inhibited. To achieve this, Vanessa pays attention to all of the above-mentioned dietary points and generally avoids toxins. "I eat a lot of vegetables, have replenished all the micronutrients I was deficient in, for example, by taking anti-inflammatory plant compounds, Omega 3, and zinc. I avoid sugar wherever possible, and above all, I make sure to have fun in life." It's also important to avoid electrosmog. This means, for example, unplugging the router in the evening. And as I said:

"Incorporating fun into your life is the best anti-inflammatory. Laugh a lot, surround yourself with good people, and enjoy life."

Yoga and exercise - but not too intensive

"A lot of yoga, a lot of exercise, but not too intense to protect the adrenal glands," is Vanessa's recommendation. "Our walk to the fridge is short, meaning we don't have to move around to get food like we used to." However, it's important to eliminate strenuous exercise like HIIT, as this puts extreme stress on the adrenal glands. Cortisol levels rise, and the hormonal systems have trouble finding balance. So, gentle exercise is key. Other exciting options such as acupuncture and the treatment of disruptive fields in the body through neural field therapy can also help to restore balance in the body.

Final message from Vanessa Blumhagen

“Stand up for yourselves, dear women!” It is especially important to take responsibility for your own health when suffering from a chronic illness like Hashimoto’s.

"You have to be willing to acquire knowledge and engage with your own body. It's your life, it's your body, and you can figure out—with the help of doctors and experts, of course—what you need to live a healthy life."

The full interview with Tanja Hohenester and Vanessa Blumhagen: Interview “Hashimoto in Focus” on YouTube

Learn more about Hashimoto Thyroiditis and Hashimoto Germany:

Hashimoto Germany: https://www.hashimoto-deutschland.de/ Instagram: @hashimoto_deutschland Facebook: Hashimoto Deutschland Tiktok: @hashimoto_deutschland Books about Hashimoto Thyroiditis:

• Vanessa Blumhagen, Every day I got fatter and more tired. My life with Hashimoto's.
• Vanessa Blumhagen and Anna Funck, Healthy, Strong, Beautiful: This Is How Women's Health Works Today. No more weight problems, digestive disorders, puffy eyes, etc. Holistic health knowledge.