Ginger is my autoimmune thyroiditis Kryptonite. Castor oil may be too

Some of my latest Lab test results. Good news - the liver tests normal, bad news autoimmune thyroid labs are bad.

Aug 28, 2024

Ginger tapioca candy and crystallized ginger are favorites of mine along with anything ginger and in stir fries, however I try to avoid it because it is a source of plant albumin. It may have been adding to my autoimmune thyroid issues and that can be a cause of or add to hair loss.

The albumin data is from a 2012 post. The original phytonutrient database by James Duke was removed shortly after that, during the Obama administration.

Reviewing my 2012 post reveals that castor seeds and aloe vera also have albumin, but a lot less in the aloe vera and the amount in castor seeds is not included. Castor oil seemed soothing at first for my hair loss problem but seemed inflammatory after time. Maybe washing it off after a shorter treatment period of time is needed, or maybe I am one of the people with allergy like sensitivity to it.

Wheat is rich in Albumin – so are egg whites and ginger root, also castor seeds and aloe vera.

Albumin is also listed on Dr. Duke’s database as having no biological activities. However it is protein that is essential for healthy plasma and blood pressure control. More importantly at trace levels is the allergy risks. Egg allergies are common and the reactive agent is most typically the albumin found in egg white rather than the nutrients that make up egg yolk. Sensitive individuals may be able to use egg yolk but not egg white or whole eggs.

Albumin would be commonly found in any food that contains egg whites. A very sensitive individual might react to trace amounts rather than just to entree’s that are egg based. Scrambled eggs and omelets are obvious sources but egg white is also in meringue. Marshmallows are based on egg white and coconut macaroons need egg white as the binder. So crispy rice treats could be an allergen due to the marshmallows and it turns out that grains of wheat themselves might be allergens due to the protein albumin as well as the gluten.
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“Albumin Biological Activities: No activities reported for ALBUMIN”

Plant species with highest amount

“[Triticum aestivum] L. — Wheat; 30,000 – 50,000 ppm in Seed;

[Zingiber officinale] ROSCOE — Ginger; 4,984 – 45,924 ppm in Rhizome;

[Aloe vera] (L.) BURM. f. — Aloe, Bitter Aloes; 1 – 5 ppm in Leaf;

[Ricinus communis] L. — Castorbean; in Seed;”

The Albumin information is from Dr. Duke’s Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases **Which sadly disappeared from the internet not too long after I found it in 2012. I don’t know exactly when though.
[ars-grin.gov/duke/ - http://www.greenpharmacy.com/ < **James Duke has passed away, my condolences.] (but this no longer goes to the original link.)
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***Interesting list The presence of albumin in the wheat seed could help explain the increasing frequency of “gluten intolerance:” Actual cases of Celiac Sprue are rare. Celiac sprue is a genetic gluten intolerance characterized by a missing enzyme that is necessary for digesting gluten.

*The Post continues with links about transglutaminase and magnesium. (transcendingsquare.com)

Abstract excerpt: “Thyrotoxicosis usually subsides in 2–6 weeks, even if the patient is not treated. [4,5] Subacute thyroiditis is fundamentally a clinical diagnosis and a high erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is strong confirmatory evidence. Ginger has been used as a heat producer among Iranian population and some studies have shown its effects on metabolism. Thyroid hormones have a regulatory role on metabolism which may be influenced by ginger. To our knowledge this case is a first case that indicates the effects of ginger on thyroid function.” […]
Discussion excerpt: “Inhibitory effect of ginger on metabolic rate and adenylate energy status[14] may damage the integrity of membranes surrounding the thyroid hormones in follicles and eventually release hormones into circulation. Also, subacute thyroiditis may be induced due to an autoimmune process by ginger as an antigen, which changes antigenic properties of thyroid follicular cells. Although, allergic reactions to ginger are generally reported as skin rash, it may promote wider inflammatory responses.” (Sanavi and Afshar, 2010) Subacute thyroiditis following ginger (Zingiber officinale) consumption.

*My ESR was within normal range, and not at the high end. See image below.

One teaspoon ginger powder per day for ten days led to thyroiditis. (Sanavi and Afshar, 2010) An herbal database was removed from the internet but I had written a post about bioactive chemicals in ginger and albumin was one and gluten I think.

James Duke was the creator with government funding and role, so it seemed government removed but I am not sure. I was sad that it had been removed and it didn't make sense why such a great and large database of herbal medicinal data would be removed from open access.

Uric acid improvement

Not all of the labs are done yet but a lot are and many are approved. Uric acid was a little better at 4.4, down from 5.0 - both considered within the normal range of 2.5-7 mg/dL, below 6 is preferred for gout patients. Lower yet might be more optimal in general.

The autoimmune thyroid panel is not looking good however.

TSH - 14.43 High (Normal range: 0.40-4.50 mIU/L)
T4 free is low normal at 0.8, range 0.8-1.8 ng/dL
T3 free is also low normal at 2.5, range 2.3-4.2 pg/mL
T3 Reverse is Pending
Thyroglobulin antibodies - 61 High, anything equal to or over 1 is high.
Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies - 836 High, over 9 IU/mL is high

D-Dimer test was a little elevated. “Comment” on the lab results sheet is copied below. My results were slightly elevated at 0.55, normal range considered below 0.50 mcg/mL.

The D-Dimer test is used frequently to exclude an acute PE or DVT. In patients with a low to moderate clinical risk assessment and a D-Dimer result <0.50 mcg/mL FEU, the likelihood of a PE or DVT is very low. However, a thromboembolic event should not be excluded solely on the basis of the D-Dimer level. Increased levels of D-Dimer are associated with a PE, DVT, DIC, malignancies, inflammation, sepsis, surgery, trauma, pregnancy, and advancing patient age. [Jama 2006 11:295(2):199-207] For additional information, please refer to: http://education.questdiagnostics.com/faq/FAQ149 (This link is being provided for informational/ educational purposes only)

Phosphorus as phosphate dropped from 4.0 to 3.9 between February 28, 24 and Aug. 27, 24; normal range 2.5 - 4.5 mg/dL.

My red blood cell count is a little low and my red blood cells are a bit towards the overly large and immature which suggests folate or B12 deficiency anemia, or B6. My B12 level was elevated, 1439, normal range 200-1100 pg/mL, but I take a high dose supplement regularly. I am still waiting on the B6 and skipped the folate because it had been elevated last time too and I take it as a supplement too.

The white blood cell counts were all normal, low end of normal ~ 25th quartile. I am still waiting on the T and B cell counts.

Bing AI copying other sites - we all have the MTHFR gene ;-)

Macrocytic anemia is a type of anemia that is caused when red blood cells aren’t produced properly. It is also known as vitamin B-12 or folate deficiency anemia¹. If you have high B12 levels without supplementation, then you almost certainly have MTHFR Gene. It's common to have Macrocytic anemia with the MTHFR gene. This means that you have a functional Vitamin B12 deficiency while also having high B12 levels. It's the 'hallmark' sign of MTHFR².

**I do supplement with B12 however, so my value is likely elevated because of the 5000 mcg methyl B12 supplement. Maybe I need more vitamin B6 than I take because pyroluria is a problem for me.

Learn more:

1 Megaloblastic Anemia: Causes, Symptoms & Diagnosis

healthline.com,

2 Anemia and high b12 levels - www.Easy-Immune-Health.com

Disclaimer: This information is being shared for educational purposes within the guidelines of Fair Use and is not intended to provide individual health guidance.

Reference List

(Sanavi and Afshar, 2010) Sanavi S, Afshar R. Subacute thyroiditis following ginger (Zingiber officinale) consumption. Int J Ayurveda Res. 2010 Jan;1(1):47-8. doi: 10.4103/0974-7788.59944. PMID: 20532098; PMCID: PMC2876930. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2876930/