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About Jacqueline Jacques, ND
Expertise
I can answer any question related to conditions treated by naturopathic medicine and how they might be approached. These would include (but are not limited to) allergies, arthritis, depression/anxiety, autoimmune diseases, irritable bowel, PMS, menopause, hormone dysfunction, chemical sensitivity, headache, and chronic pain. I am also happy to discuss naturopathic therpaies including herbal/botanical medicine, medical nutrition, diet therapy, detoxification, manipulation, hydrotherapy, and natural hormone replacement. I would also welcome questions on naturopathic philosophy, licensure, scope of practice and education

Experience
I am a licensed Naturopathic Doctor (ND) with ten years of experience. The focus of my work has been in women's health, obesity and pain, but I have treated all conditions. I currently see private patients, consult in the natural products industry, formulate product for a medical nutrition company, write for several publications, and speak across North America. I additionaly serve on the medical advisory board of several companies and non-profit organizations.

Organizations
California Naturopathic Doctors Association (member and past board member) American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (member) National Nutritional Foods Association (member) Obesity Actional Coalition (Medical Advisory Board) Samueli Canter for Integrative Medicine at University of California, Irvine (Board Member)

Publications
Nutrition and the MD, Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Bariatric Times, Today's Dietitian, Integrative Health Retailer

Education/Credentials
Lewis and Clark College National College of Naturopathic Medicine

Awards and Honors
Health Professional of the Year (2004) - Bariatric Support Centers International

Past/Present clients
NA

You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Alternative Medicine > Naturopathy > auto immune

Naturopathy - auto immune

Expert: Jacqueline Jacques, ND - 10/23/2009

Question
hi i have a question, i hope you can please help. im a 21 year old male. i had my thyroid checked and my tsh number is high and barely in range. it is at 4.0 (scale of 0.3-4.8). my antibodies are at 639 (under 35 being normal). this is auto immune situation correct? my dr doesnt seem to care that there is a problem. he said we dont treat until tsh hits 10.

if those antibodies can be cleared my thyroid can return to normal function. my question is, in a situation like this what does a naturopathic dr do? i understand it is possible to reverse the auto immune situation (which is definately plaguing me). what factors are looked at and how is the problem targeted. exactly how does naturopathy work to correct this? what tests are performed?

i had more question thats related; is nutritional response testing accurate/affective?

thank you very much.

Answer
Dear Singh,

My personal belief is that if your TSH is above 3 it needs to be treated. The presence of high autoantibodies further suggests a problem. You may have just been discovered in the early stages of autoimmune thyroid disease - it's not easy to always tell.

Here is what I would suggest that you can safely do on your own:

1) Go on a gluten-free diet. This is so often connected to autoimmune thyroid disease that it may just correct the problem
2) Take low-dose DHEA. 5 to 10 mg, no more. This will reduce the antibody levels. Higher doses are NOT better and have risk.
3) Take a good multivitamin
4) Drink filtered water - you want water (ideally) that doesn't have chlorates in it - these chemicals are linked to thyroid disruption.
5) You can also take the herb Guggul - 500-1,000 milligrams of guggulipid (standardized to 2.5% guggulsterones) taken 2-3 times daily has been used.

I do not know what "nutritional response testing" is, so I cannot comment on it.

In Health,

Dr. Jacques

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