Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - Natural Treatments?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease.
I'm not sure there is any natural treatment that will help.

Hashimoto's typically involves a slow but steady destruction of the gland that eventually results in the thyroid's inability to produce sufficient thyroid hormone -- the condition known as hypothyroidism. Along the way, however, there can be periods where the thyroid sputters back to life, even causing temporary hyperthyroidism, then a return to hypothyroidism. This cycling back and forth between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism is characteristic of Hashimoto's disease. So, for example, periods of anxiety/insomnia/diarrhea/weight loss may be followed by periods of depression/fatigue/constipation/weight gain.

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/hypothyroidism/a/hashivshypo.htm

Do a google search. I know iodine supplements helps... I have hashimotos and are currently on prescribed meds. Would love to read other posts about this.

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's at 20, and am now 35. I have spent quite a bit of time researching this disease, and have a few suggestions.
As far as medication is concerned, you may have better results with natural desiccated thyroid like Armour or Naturethroid than synthetic thyroid like Synthroid. Both types of medication are prescription only, but because Armour and Naturethroid replace all the thyroid hormones, not just T4 (like Synthoid does) they often have a much greater affect on Hasimoto's patients. I personally feel so much better on Naturethroid, I would never go back to synthetics.
As far as labs are concerned, I think it's important to know where your labs need to be in order for you to feel your best, and have your medication adjusted accordingly. Generally speaking, you will feel your best when your anti-thyroid antibodies are at their lowest, and when your own production of thyroid hormone is suppressed (so, low TSH). Because Hashimoto's is in actuality a disease of the immune system, and the immune system is wired to attack your own thyroid and the hormones it produces, limiting the activity of your thyroid gland can suppress the antibodies that make us feel so tired, achy, foggy-headed, etc. This can be done by taking higher doses of medication (as long as it's safely tolerated).
Find a doctor who listens and have a frank conversation with them about your options.
Most people with autoimmune diseases have a difficult time with dairy and gluten. I really limit these from my diet and have had great results.
Consider an anti-inflammatory diet/regimen. Supplements of B vitamins and vitamin D3, and daily exercise can really help to bring down inflammation, and give energy.
Remember that advice for hypothyroidism probably doesn't apply well to people with Hashimoto's. Things that encourage thyroid activity are not a good idea for Hashimoto's patients because thyroid activity is the thing causing our illness. We generally feel more ill when our thyroid is more active because it causes our immune system to more virulently attack us. That is why some people with Hashimoto's shy away from supplements that encourage thyroid hormone production.
Anyways, this is probably too verbose, but if you think I can help, I'd be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.
Good Luck!

As the person below me said - this is an autoimmune disease, and there is no natural substitute for thyroid hormone. If your thyroid does not produce it, you have to ingest it, and that is that. I know there are natural things you can take to "support" you thyroid such as iodine, and avoid cruciferous veg, but if you have an underactive thyroid, take the meds, or you will fell bad.
I have had Hashimotos for 10 years.

I have hashimoto's and am currently reading a book called " Why do I still have Thyroid symptoms when my test results are normal" or something like that(it's a long title!) Anyway, he is talking about how Hashimoto's is usually treated for the symptoms(the blood tests) and not the actual cause- which is the body attacking the thyroid. It's an interesting read but it involves a whole life style change. I will be working on that when I am done with the book. The meds have not helped me at all. I have a goiter(ugly word for an ugly thing) 2 of my sisters have had their thyroid removed due to cancer(one is currently undergoing treatment- the other is fine right now) another sister has hashimoto's also.
The taking of thyroid hormone has been linked to uterine fibroids and cysts in the uterus. 2 of my sisters on the meds have had fibroids- one had to have a hystirectomy(?) the the other one just went through surgery on Monday to remove a grapefruit sized fibroid(yuck). The third sister has the cysts. yeah- this is what I get to look forward to! So, I am looking for a cure- not a fix. I believe there is one out there-but it might take me the rest of my life to find it.
Good luck to you!
hope the book helps!
~C.

With Hashimoto's your immune system attacks your thyroid, resulting in a buildup of scar tissue and thyroid tissue that can no longer function. It's not reversible. Sorry. There are the natural substitutes for Synthroid, but whether or not your Dr will prescribe them and they will be effective for you is anyone's guess. I've been on a low dose of Synthroid for over a year (after being misdiagnosed and living with untreated hashimoto's for 8 years), and while my thyroid is still enlarged, my labs are all normal and I feel just fine.