Many people with Hashimoto's disease have a vitamin D deficiency, and increasing your intake of vitamin D can lower your thyroid antibodies. It may also lower your cholesterol if it is high due to the disease. In addition, it may help keep you from developing hypothyroidism or at least slow down the process.  Talk to your doctor before beginning a vitamin D regimen. You should have your vitamin D levels checked first. Plus, the typical dose tested in studies is 50,000 international units of vitamin D a week, a dosage that will need to be prescribed by your doctor. Typically, you are considered deficient if your vitamin D levels are less than 20 ng/mL. However, some doctors feel your levels should be at 50 ng/mL if you have an autoimmune disorder. Selenium, a vitamin found primarily in Brazil nuts, has been shown to help some patients battle the autoimmune part of the Hashimoto's and Grave's disease, which means that your body may not produce as many antibodies. Because it's not commonly found in the everyday diet, you'll need to take a supplement of 83 micrograms of selenomethionine per day. This treatment only works for about 1/3 of patients.  Always talk to your doctor before beginning a treatment such as this one. Selenium is a vitamin that can be toxic in high doses, so don't exceed 400 micrograms in a day, both from food and supplemental sources. Some evidence suggests that melatonin may be helpful with autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto's disease, which may help your body not produce as many antibodies. This supplement is relatively safe, though long-term usage hasn't been studied much.  Start with a low dose, such as 0.3 milligrams an hour before bed. You can take up to 5 milligrams, but you should discuss it with your doctor. It may take up to a month to work. In some cases, following a special diet may help control an autoimmune disorder. Sometimes, that may mean avoiding a certain allergy, such as wheat. You can be evaluated for food allergies or sensitivities, or you can try one of the special diets recommended for autoimmune disorders. You can also aim for a more holistic diet, which could entail cutting out processed food or adding in more fruits and vegetables. For instance, you can try an anti-inflammatory diet, which means eating as much fresh fruit and vegetable as possible and more whole grains, rather than processed food. Include carbs, fat, and protein at every meal. You can also try the low FODMAP diet. With this diet, you lower your intake of foods high in fructose (such as fruit juices, apples, honey, and mangoes), fructans (such as garlic, onions, nectarines, and wheat), lactose (such as milk, ice cream, and yogurt), Gos (such as chickpeas, legumes, and cashews), and polyols (such as pears, plums, mushrooms, and snow peas). A similar diet is the autoimmune protocol diet, where you eliminate foods such as grains, sugars, legumes, alcohol, gluten, and dairy. You'll also skip eggs, nightshade vegetables (such as tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and eggplant), nuts, and seeds and limit your fruit.

Summary: Take vitamin D. Try a selenium supplement. Use melatonin. Consider a special diet, such as an anti-inflammatory diet. Try the FODMAP diet as an alternative. Use the autoimmune protocol diet as a third option.


To prevent paint from spilling or splattering where you don’t want it, remove any furniture and other items from the room before you begin painting. If there are items that are too large or awkward to be removed, arrange them in the center of the room and cover them with a sheet, tarp, plastic cover, or drop cloth to protect them. Electrical outlet covers, light switch plates, vents, and other items that are affixed to the wall should also be removed before painting, as you don’t want to have to worry about splatter or having to paint around them.  Most vent, light, and plug covers are fastened with one or two screws, and can be removed with a screwdriver. Put a small piece of tape over the outlet and switch or paint could spatter here. Tape the screws to the back of each fixture to avoid losing them or mixing them up. Unless you are redoing your floor after painting, cover the floor with a drop cloth, tarp, or plastic painter’s sheet before you begin. Pay special attention to the areas closest to the walls you will be painting.  Canvas tarp is preferred because plastic on flooring can sometimes become slippery. Lay the sheet down as flat as possible and pull it taut so that it doesn’t become a tripping hazard. Use masking tape or painter’s tape to secure the sheet in place. This is important because you want to give the paint a fresh surface to stick to. Using 150-grit sandpaper, sand the areas you will be painting. Then, fill a small bucket with warm water and use it to dampen a course-grit sanding sponge. Go over the walls with the sponge, adding water as necessary.  When you have sanded the walls, get a fresh bucket of water and a clean sponge to wipe the walls down and remove dirt and dust. Add a bit of dish soap to the water if the walls are dirty. Allow the walls to dry, and when everything is dry, vacuum up any leftover dust and dirt from the walls and baseboards. When sanding, it’s a good idea to wear a protective mask and safety glasses to prevent dust from getting into your mouth, nose, and eyes.

Summary: Remove furniture from the room. Remove covers and plates from the walls. Protect the floor. Sand and clean the walls.


To ensure that you measure PEX tubing properly and cut it evenly, straighten out the tubing. Fold the tubing upward in the opposite direction that it is curling. Lay it down on a flat surface to make sure it is as straight as possible. PEX piping should never be stretched tightly between fittings. Use a measuring tape to find out exactly how much piping you need, then add about 1 inch (2.5 cm). This will leave room for the flexible piping to expand and contract. Having a clearly marked cutting line will make the process of cutting your PEX tubing simple and help you avoid mistakes. After measuring your piping, draw a line to mark exactly where you want to cut. Use a pen or fine point marker to ensure that the line will not fade or wipe off before you make the cut. Place the PEX tubing into the mouth of the tool where you want it cut. Position the exact line you wish to cut through directly under the blade. Hold it firmly in place. Grip the handles of your cutter tool firmly. Squeeze them together in a strong, smooth motion so that the mouth closes on the tubing, pushing the blade down onto it.  Keep squeezing until the blade goes completely though the tubing, or until you have squeezed the handles as far as they will go. If you are using a smaller PEX cutter, the first squeeze might not make a clean cut. If this is the case,  stop and allow the mouth of the tool to reopen. Squeeze the cutter again and twist it downwards slightly to finish the cut.
Summary: Straighten out the PEX tubing as much as possible. Measure your piping and add about 1 inch (2.5 cm). Mark the cutting line clearly with a pen or fine point marker. Insert the part of the PEX tubing you want to cut into the mouth of the tool. Squeeze the cutter tool firmly for a clean cut. Keep squeezing and twist the cutter downwards to finish the cut.