Hi @Raahema – I feel your frustration, especially when you’re doing all the right things but still don’t see a change. It’s actually pretty common for anti-TG to stay high while TPO antibodies go down. And that’s because these antibodies are triggered by slightly different things.

TPO often responds to gluten, dairy, sugar, stress, etc, while TG antibodies can be more sensitive to iodine levels, viruses (like EBV) and gut infections. So I have a few clarifying questions for you that might help spark other areas to explore:

1. Have you had a full thyroid panel done recently (TSH, free T4, free T3, reverse T3, and antibodies)? And would you mind removing any sensitive info and uploading it here for us to look at?

2. Have you ever measured your levels of selenium, zinc, vitamin D, and iron/ferritin? Selenium in particular has been shown lower lower TG antibodies.

3. Since TG is more sensitive to iodine levels, are you taking iodine (check supplements like multi-vitamins/multi-minerals) or eating iodine-rich foods like seaweed, kelp granules or iodized salt? Too much iodine without enough selenium can drive TG antibodies up, so something to consider as well.

4. Have you ever been checked for gut infections (like Candida, SIBO, H. Pylori infection) or possible viral reactivations such as Epstein Barr Virus? These are often hidden trigger. If you have a recent CBC panel, please share it as it can help us see your immune status.

5. And most importantly… how are you feeling overall (energy, sleep, hair, mood, cycles, digestion)? Antibodies don’t always reflect how well your body is functioning.

Looking forward to your replies to my questions to help guide you further.

@naslam1603 – high oxalates on an OAT test doesn’t automatically mean that one particular supplement is to blame. Oxalate levels come from a mix of things such as what you eat, how your gut is working, your nutrient status (especially B6, calcium, and magnesium), and even the balance of bacteria or yeast in your intestines.

For example, here are common root cause reasons that can contribute to high oxalates on an OAT test:

• a high intake of high-oxalate foods (spinach, almonds, beets, sweet potatoes, chocolate)
• fat malabsorption or low bile flow
• B6, magnesium and calcium insufficiency or deficiency (B6 helps convert oxalate precursors into harmless compounds, and magnesium and calcium bind oxalate in the gut to reduce absorption)
• vitamin C supplementation in large doses
• fungal or yeast overgrowth (or chronic exposure to mold)
• the loss of oxalate degrading bacteria after antibiotics
• genetics

Yes, supplements can add to the load but they are usually just one piece of the picture. While slippery elm is known to be high in oxalates, it is rarely the single cause of a spike. It is much more about the whole pattern of diet, gut health, and metabolism.

If you would like to take a break from slippery elm but still want to soothe your stomach lining, you can continue using the other supportive ingredients you already take such as L glutamine, marshmallow root, and DGL. Aloe vera inner gel (not whole leaf) can be added to coat and calm the gut. Zinc carnosine is another non-plant option that has been studied for mucosal support. And collagen or bone broth can also provide amino acids to feed intestinal cells without adding plant oxalates. But!! Make sure B6 is sufficient because collagen and bone broth are rich in amino acids like glycine and hydroxyproline. Without enough vitamin B6, your body struggles to process these fully, and more of their byproducts (like glyoxylate) can turn into oxalate, which can raise oxalate levels.

Hi @naslam1603 – so I recall we had a discussion about the difference between A.R.T. and Dr. Geoffrey Smith’s methods. You can find that thread here as a refresher.

And to answer your question more directly… it’s a bit difficult to answer because I personally haven’t used ART or come across success stories myself. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth exploring if it’s calling you. From what I’ve read, it’s essentially an advanced form of muscle testing or applied kinesiology. There isn’t much solid scientific evidence backing it yet, but science is often late to catch up with emerging approaches, especially in the integrative space.

If you’re curious, I’d suggest reaching out to a few ART practitioners and asking if they can put you in touch with past clients. Hearing directly from people who’ve gone through it will give you a much clearer sense of what to expect and whether it resonates with you.

Here is their contact page to help find an A.R.T. practitioner near you: https://klinghardtinstitute.com/art-practitioners/

Hope this helps!

Hi @naslam1603 – great questions.

If they’ve already ordered total and free testosterone, then yes, it’s smart to add SHBG (to better interpret free versus bound levels) and also Estradiol (to see how much testosterone converts to estrogen). You could also consider albumin, LH, and FSH for a more comprehensive picture.

When it comes to blood vs urine testing for testosterone, blood (serum) tests are the gold standard. They are standardized and give a clear snapshot of circulating testosterone at the time of the draw. This makes blood testing more reliable for diagnosing and monitoring levels over time.

Urine tests on the other hand measure testosterone and its metabolites excreted over time so it’s helpful to look at hormone metabolism and function. But results can vary depending on hydration level, kidney function and how accurately the sample is collected. So because of these variables, urinary testing can be less precise for determining actual circulating testosterone levels and is used more for looking at hormone metabolism than for diagnosis. Serum is usually the way to go for actual levels.

And timing is key. First morning is always best to reduce variables when tracking levels over time.

Hi @Raahema – the quiz is also pointing to upper GI dysfunction which does match your symptoms. So getting to the root cause of why there is possibly suboptimal stomach acid is key. This is where we absorb key nutrients such as iron, B12, magnesium, zinc, calcium, etc.

I checked your account and you’re still on the free trial which is why you’re unable to access the videos and handouts I’ve shared. During your trial you get access to this private community forum for 7 days, and other free resources such as our past guest expert calls, live Q&A recordings & our free course “Holosonic Sound Therapy”.

In order to get full access to our courses, programs, handouts, protocols, supplement dispensaries and more, you can choose to upgrade from your dashboard on desktop. Simply click on the “Home” tab, and you’ll see the upgrade options beneath your name. The monthly and yearly packages offer full access. If you do upgrade, I would also encourage you to watch this short video which shares root cause reasons for low stomach acid.

And looking at your previous test results, yes there does seem to be a pattern of decreasing WBC over time. Also if you look at the neutrophils and lymphocytes, they also fluctuate. Normally, we’d like to see neutrophils higher than lymphocytes. At one point lymphocytes became elevated which could have been a viral surge. Do you remember being sick at the time of that blood draw? And currently, they are about the same percentage, which could point to a low-grade simmering infection of some sort that is taxing the immune system and affecting WBC.

How is the status of your mouth/teeth and oral health? Any root canals or amalgam fillings?

@Raahema – thanks for sharing your labs (by the way, it’s really helpful if you can make sure to show us the reference ranges since every lab uses different target ranges).

There are a couple of things of note:

1. On the CBC, your WBC is at the lower end of the reference range. It’s not clinically low, but there’s definite suppression. If you have previous CBC results, please check and see if there is a trend to be on the lower end of the clinical reference range. This could point to something taxing the immune system (like a hidden virus or low-grade simmering infection of some sort). In fact, your neutrophils and lymphocytes are about the same percentage, which does usually point to some kind of a simmering infection.

2. Ferritin is on the lower side as well (27.4). For thyroid and hair health, many feel better with ferritin closer to 70-100. Low iron stores can definitely drive hair loss, even if hemoglobin looks okay. So the next question is “why is iron storage suboptimal”? There can be many root cause reasons for that. You can watch THIS short lesson inside the Mineral Balance course for the most common contributors. For example, do you eat animal sources of protein? Do you have heavy periods so greater blood loss? Have you ever checked copper? And many more reasons. Please watch the lesson and let me know what resonates with you.

3. MCV and MCH are on the higher side, which sometimes suggests a need for B12 and/or folate (B9). Your B12 at 374 is technically “normal,” but functionally it’s on the lower end. Often people feel best with levels 600–800+. That could also connect to your hair loss and fatigue risk.

4. The burping/bloating after meals (even after water) suggests gut function isn’t optimal. That can keep TG antibodies elevated if there’s underlying reflux, low stomach acid, SIBO, candida, or even H. pylori. If finances allow, you can consider a GI Map (functional stool test) which will look at microbiome balance and H Pylori overgrowth. Otherwise, you can ask your doctor for a breath test (considered gold standard testing for H Pylori). There’s also an at-home test you can do to help determine if stomach acid is suboptimal or low. It’s not diagnostic but it’s a good tool. Watch this lesson from our Gut Health Masterclass (3-minute mark) for instructions. We also have it written out in this handout if you prefer.

So to summarize possible next steps:

1. Get another full iron panel (iron, TIBC, % saturation, ferritin) and if still low, figure out why. And in the meantime, consider supporting with iron-rich foods or supplementation (if warranted and tolerated). Here are ways to correct iron insufficiencies.

2. Bring on board more B-vitamin rich foods; liver 2x per week is an excellent source! Or a methylated B-complex could help push levels into an optimal range.

3. Consider a breath test or functional stool test (ex. GI Map, GI Effects) to look for H Pylori overgrowth, candida, SIBO or parasites. The constant burping and skewed white blood cell differentials are good clues that digestion/immunity isn’t 100%. Try the at-home stomach acid challenge and report back the score.

4. Check key nutrients (selenium & RBC zinc) since you’re supplementing. It’s worth confirming actual levels. Make sure to stop all supplements a minimum of 2 full days before testing to get an actual baseline level. And given the autoimmune dynamic, checking immune nutrients vitamins D and A would be helpful as well.

Please let us know about the WBC pattern (if always on the low side) and why you suspect iron to be low.

Waiting for your reply.

@R-S glad that was helpful. Sounds good!

Hi @R-S – ok let’s break down each one of those to help you make the best choice:

Maine Coast Sea Seasonings Organic Kelp Granules: this is a great food-based addition if T4 is suboptimal since it provides plenty of iodine. If someone has thyroid antibodies though, it’s best to start with selenium for 2 weeks first before adding in iodine-rich sources.

Thorne Selenomethionine: this is a great addition when someone needs help with T4 to T3 conversion. It’s also an antioxidant and can protect the gland from oxidative stress. And for those with autoimmune thyroid, it’s also helpful at supporting immune balance. But since it’s a single nutrient, it’s always best to test first to know one’s baseline levels before supplementing.

Designs for Health Thyroid Synergy: this is a combo formula that supports both T4 production (thanks to iodine and tyrosine) and T4 to T3 conversion (has all the main nutrient cofactors needed to do that). The addition of the adaptogen herb American ginseng helps balance a stressed nervous system, and forskolin directly helps promote better thyroid hormone production and boosts metabolism. It’s a great combo that “covers all the bases” with reasonable dosages of each.

Allergy Research Group Thyroid Glandular: a glandular is essentially thyroid tissue taken from a cow. This is best used when someone’s thyroid function is extremely depleted, as it’s said to mimic the body’s own thyroid tissue.

Metagenics UltraFlora Intensive Care: this is a great probiotic to help modulate and calm an overactive immune system such as in cases of autoimmune activation.

Hope this helps you narrow it down a bit better.

@R-S – given that you have limited options where you live, feel free to share what you do have access to and we can share the benefits/risks to help you make an informed choice.

Hi @Vidu – I recommend asking them for the shipping cost because when I ordered it for my mom this summer, I don’t recall paying additional tariffs.

@R-S – yes ginger can be used as a gentle digestive stimulant. Also a little can go a long way with digestive bitters. Just a few drops on the tongue can help trigger the brain to release bile and other digestive secretions. I like Sweetish Bitters and Quicksilver’s Dr. Shade’s Bitters No.9.

Green tea is also considered a bitter. And in small quantities, 99% dark chocolate or coffee can also be used. Again, just enough is needed on the tongue to signal the brain.

As for thyroid support combo formulas, I discuss a few different options here. And yes, whenever supplementing with nutrients, it’s always good to know baseline levels.

Hi @R-S – sorry for not replying to your earlier message. I didn’t receive a notification or somehow missed it.

Since the biopsy report did detect mild gastritis, this means the gastric lining has some mild inflammation which could become aggravated with HCL betaine. So it’s best to start with a gentler option such as digestive bitters before meals to help stimulate digestive secretions without irritating the gastric lining. And definitely continue with gut healing foods to continue supporting that irritated tissue and calm the inflammation.

For a more therapeutic effect, a bitter tincture will be stronger than brewing it as a tea. And yes, it’s to be taken before meals (5-10 mins) to help stimulate digestive secretions.

With regards to thyroid support, is there a reason you’re only focusing on selenium as a starting point as opposed to a thyroid nutrient combo formula? Have you measured selenium? Remember, we need zinc, iron, vitamin A, and selenium for proper thyroid conversion. It’s always best to know your levels if you can get these checked so you can know what exactly type of support you need.

Glad to hear it! Curious to know what he says if you feel called to sharing…

@R-S glad to hear that major issues have been ruled out!

Since H Pylori, gastritis and ulcers have been ruled out, then in general HCL betaine can be safely used and can be very supportive for overall digestion.

To answer your question of which to begin first – HCL, bitters or thyroid support, I’d say there’s a tie between HCL and thyroid support because both fuel each other. We need good strong stomach acid to absorb the nutrients needed for thyroid conversion, and we need optimal thyroid function to support overall digestion. So it’s absolutely OK to start both at the same time but just spaced out to give the body a chance to adjust.

And the decision to start thyroid medication vs. supplement vs. food support is one to be discussed with the doctor. Medication will obviously provide the quickest stability, while food and supplements will require more time.

And yes, given your very sensitive nature right now, using 1 bitter instead of a combo formula would be a wise approach as well.

@R-S – ok, we’re starting to get some answers. What stood out from the lab results you just shared is the clinically low Free T3. Your TSH and Free T4 are optimal, but the conversion to free T3 is sluggish. We have a saying in Functional Medicine… “sluggish thyroid, sluggish everything”, and in your case, this will definitely contribute to sluggish stomach acid, sluggish digestive system, sluggish motility, etc.

Therefore, addressing poor thyroid conversion will help address one of the likely root cause(s) for sluggish stomach acid production, and the downstream consequences.

I’m not sure if you’ve explored our Thyroid Balance course yet, but I encourage you to watch these lessons to understand what can cause low T3 levels and how to correct it:

• Reasons for Low T3
• Reasons for Low Free T4/T3
• Foods for a Healthy Thyroid
• Supplements for a Healthy Thyroid

You could also speak to an endocrinologist about starting T3 medication temporarily to help stabilize overall metabolic function. Most will want to prescribe T4, but with poor conversion to T3, that might not be sufficient to bring free T3 levels up to optimal levels. This is something to discuss with your doc, but I’m mentioning it so you can advocate for yourself.

In terms of addressing N to S dysfunctions, yes beginning North and the moving down is a wise strategy. So brain work is #1. Stomach acid support would be next given that the symptom questionnaires pointed to this being a need. If H Pylori overgrowth has been ruled out and there is no ulcer or gastritis, then HCL Betaine can be taken mid-meal. The dose is usually determined with this challenge.

Supporting the nervous system, T4 to T3 conversion and stomach acid is a strong gameplan to hopefully stop the revolving door of SIBO challenges.

With good signals from the brain to produce digestive juices, and good thyroid function to support metabolism & digestion, and good strong stomach acid to trigger the release of bile & enzymes, there should be a positive momentum forward. Remember, bile is antimicrobial and can help cleanse the gut bugs that don’t belong in the small intestine. And if that’s not enough, then digestive bitters or bile, and/or digestive enzymes can also be added in as additional support to the 3 main digestive players “GPS” (stomach, gallballder/bile, pancreas). But one step at a time, and one new addition at a time always!

Hope that makes sense?