At present there is no scientific evidence that any "natural" cures are effective for Graves’ Disease, or that there is any specific diet that will help.
That said, at the last GDF conference in San Diego, one of the doctors who researches the cause of Graves’ Disease was asked whether food allergies could play a role in triggering the antibodies for Graves’ Disease. His opinion was that food may play a role in provoking autoimmune diseases since the gut is part of the immune system. He said there are no good studies on this so far, however.
There are many other possible triggers for autoimmunity in people who have the genetic susceptibility, and so far no single one has been identified. On the list include viruses, hormones, severe stress, cigarette smoke (both first and second-hand), iodine levels, etc. Since it’s not known what triggered it in your daughter’s case, there’s no way to tell whether changes in her diet would make even a tiny bit of difference.
Regardless, eating healthier is a good idea for the whole family, as you said. For your 3-year-old, in the possibility that some kind of additive, preservative, pesticide, hormone, or allergen in her food has triggered the disease for her, eliminating it may or may not help even so. If this is the direction you wish to go, you can try the organic route or consult a specialist in food allergies or a nutritionist to help you decide on an appropriate diet. Be sure you do this (and everything) with the approval of her doctor, of course.
Is your daughter having trouble with her stomach? Not everyone who is hyperthyroid has stomach issues, although most have frequent bowel movements and some discomfort in that area. This varies from one patient to the next, and may be different in young children. You may be aware that this is relatively unusual (but not at all unheard of) in a child of her age. We met a girl who just turned 3 at the 2008 Conference in San Diego. If you want to get in touch with her mom, I could help you do that. Let me know.
Best wishes,
and of course we could all eat a lot better than we do. I am curious if diet plays a huge role or not. Also, what are the stomach issues I have read about? It is hard as the mom to understand what my baby is going through since she is so young. Does your stomach get upset easily? After eating? With meds? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
