Thyroid issues are rampant with 2 out of 3 women suffering from symptoms.

I’ve written about this topic for years, but it seems that thyroid issues are now more prevalent than ever. I included a “Tuckered-Out Thyroid” as a hidden weight gain factor in The New Fat Flush Plan, but there are far more extensive consequences to an underperforming thyroid than just excess body fat. Hypothyroidism can contribute to everything from low energy levels to high cholesterol, hormone irregularities, low blood pressure, depression, hair loss, muscle cramping, and much more. Based on extensive research, here are my tried-and-true “out of the box” thyroid fixes beyond just diet and exercise. Spring is a great time to try them on for size.

1. Get your thyroid checked.

This is first and foremost. Ask your doctor for a FULL thyroid panel with TSH, T3, T4, and T7. Keep in mind that borderline-low normal generally isn’t optimal and you will likely benefits from support. If you are aren’t able to get a full thyroid panel done, consider a tissue mineral analysis. The calcium to potassium ratio that is revealed on that test can tell volumes about the functioning of your thyroid and how it might be contributing to your weight loss plateau or other conditions.

Typically those with hypothyroidism have too much calcium in relationship to potassium. And those that need to rev up their thyroid may need more potassium-containing foods and/or supplements. Excessive amounts of calcium from dairy foods or supplements tamp down thyroid activity. In contrast, potassium can speed up thyroid activity. So load up on potassium-rich spinach, squash, salmon and avocados. By balancing the thyroid gland alone and supporting your mineral balance, you can expect to finally jump off that weight loss plateau or reverse other low thyroid symptoms.

2. Rule out thyroid-impacting dental and/or sinus infection.

Find a biological dentist who can do a thorough examination of your mouth with a low-level radiation panoramic X-ray. Since many biological dentists also specialize in mercury-free dentistry, have the dentist check your mouth for mercury and/or high copper amalgam fillings as well as for conflicting metal interference in your mouth. Many offer a biocompatibility blood test which assesses the most suitable dental materials, crowns, glues, and cements for your unique system. Check out the International Academy of Biological Dentistry and Medicine to find a practitioner in your area. You may also need to consult an ENT for sinus evaluation.

3. If you do find mercury or copper in your mouth, keep in mind that these metals can be deadly to the thyroid.

Mercury and copper both incapacitate thyroid hormones and impact metabolism. To fix this, go to glutathione. It is the primary chelating agent to detox heavy metals. A great way to accomplish this is with the Detox & Liver Health Reg’Activ product. This product contains Lactobacillus fermentum ME-3 which is a unique strain of probiotic bacteria that produces glutathione in humans.

4. Substitute coconut oil whenever you can to nourish the thyroid.

Use the oil and all coconut-derived products like full-fat milk, cream, and unsweetened coconut in cooking, smoothies and desserts. Make macaroons your sweet treat. There are many novel ways to get coconut in your diet. Adding it to your morning cup of coffee or tea will energize you from the get-go.

5. Give up gluten.

Completely eliminate gluten-containing grains from your diet to naturally reset thyroid hormone production. Wheat, rye, spelt, kamut, couscous, triticale and barley should be avoided. Gluten-free alternatives that I highly recommend are also grain-free options as well. These include the grain-like seeds such as quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat and millet. Instead of flour, consider using arrowroot or tapioca for thickening. If you are really serious about weight loss, you should also eliminate all other reactive foods—primarily foods containing sugar and yeast, both of which often accompany gluten.

6. Power up on protein.

Consume at least 20 grams (as found in three to four ounces of fish, poultry, or meat, a serving of clean protein powder equating to 20 grams, about three eggs, or four ounces of fermented soy). Protein boosts metabolism by up to 25% for about 12 hours. It is a tissue and muscle builder par excellence.

7. Cook cruciferous veggies.

Since raw cruciferous veggies (cabbage, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, arugula, bok choy, collard greens and cauliflower) contain possible thyroid-interfering goitrogens, your best bet is to cook them. With regards to soy products, only consume fermented GMO-free soy products or GMO-free lecithin, which does not contain the goitrogenic element.

8. Build better bile.

Sluggish bile can actually drag down your thyroid. If you’re not absorbing fats, you can’t make thyroid hormone. Period. About 80 percent of women over 40 suffer from insufficient, poor-quality bile, and suboptimal bile flow and sluggish thyroid share many of the same symptoms. Scientists from Harvard and others overseas have discovered the missing link between thyroid and bile in several landmark studies, and no one seems to be talking about it! A study in Finland found that hypothyroidism is seven times more likely in people with reduced bile flow. Why is this? The reason is that bile acids boost thyroid activity. According to thyroid researcher Dr. Antonio Bianco, bile release triggers the release of an enzyme that converts T4 into T3 which fuels metabolism. Individuals who improved their bile experienced an enormous increase in metabolism. My Bile Builder formula is specifically designed to boost bile with 6 key ingredients.

9. Arm your adrenals.

Well-nourished adrenal glands will help to support a weakened thyroid, so do consider bovine adrenal glandulars like those found in my Adrenal Formula which contain the RDA/DNA blueprint for regeneration. If you are vegan or vegetarian, try adaptogenic herbs like rhodiola and ashwaganda. Good old fashioned pantothenic acid, which I learned to revere as a voracious reader of Adele Davis’ books back in college in the ‘70s, is a long forgotten godsend for worn-out adrenals and the inability to cope with stress. It can help to balance the adrenal’s output of cortisol, a major fat-promoting hormone. In general, 500 mg up to four times daily, either alone or in conjunction with other adrenal nutrients—can make a huge difference in energy levels. So can adding a good quality sea salt to your diet in the amount of 1/4 teaspoon daily.

10. Give glandulars a go.

Just like with the adrenals, bovine thyroid glandulars can make a world of difference when it comes to optimizing your thyroid levels. This is especially the case for those who are considered “borderline” with sluggish thyroid levels that don’t quite warrant medication. For those already taking medication, but unable to hit the target on blood work, I’ve seen time and time again that sometimes glandulars can make up the difference! This is why I developed my Thyro-Key formula which is a nonherbal combination of glandular extracts designed for optimal thyroid function.

11. Pop some probiotics.

High probiotic-containing foods like yogurt and kefir contain millions of friendly bacteria, but a well-balanced probiotic with a variety of different strains will contain billions of probiotics. This is just what you want to populate your microbiome. The right strains and numbers of friendly flora will support thyroid function and many other immune-enhancing processes.

12. Avoid fluoride, bromide, and chlorine like the plague.

Without sufficient iodine to kick them out, these three chemicals can stockpile in your body and impede thyroid function. So become a diligent label reader. A good water filtration system which blocks fluoride and chlorine may be essential for home use. About 2-3 mg of the trace mineral boron can help to neutralize fluoride. This mineral can be found in the Advanced Daily Multivitamin.