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How I Finally Lost Over 18 Pounds Despite Hashimoto’s Using the Bridge Builder Method

Written by Johanna Müller | Expert in Holistic Health
2. March 2025

If you're a woman suffering from Hashimoto's thyroiditis and can't seem to lose weight despite regular exercise and careful calorie counting, it's time to discover the Bridge Builder Method.

A woman is having her neck examined by another person, with the area around her thyroid gland highlighted in red to indicate inflammation or pain. An inset circle shows a close-up of a person pinching abdominal fat, suggesting a connection between thyroid issues and weight gain.

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis – The Hidden Culprit Behind Stubborn Weight Gain


Unexplained weight gain, constant fatigue, and persistent digestive issues. Women over 35 are particularly vulnerable to the effects of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition that can wreak havoc on your body.

Even with a balanced diet, maintaining a calorie deficit, and regular exercise, it often feels like your body is working against you. And in a way, it is. With Hashimoto's, your immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid gland, significantly impairing its function.

The consequences are far-reaching: your metabolism slows dramatically, affecting your energy levels (causing fatigue and exhaustion) and hindering your body's ability to burn excess calories (leading to weight gain, particularly around the belly and hips).

It can feel as though every calorie counts double, with your metabolism behaving like an unpredictable enemy. Perhaps most frustrating of all, taking synthetic thyroid hormones such as levothyroxine or liothyronine doesn't necessarily improve symptoms.

For more than half of Hashimoto's patients, weight loss remains elusive, EVEN WHEN hormone levels and blood tests appear normal.

A woman sits on a bed in a dimly lit room, looking distressed while holding her abdomen and covering part of her face with one hand. She appears to be experiencing discomfort or fatigue. Next to her is a large illustrated graphic of a thyroid gland with a red bullseye and yellow lightning bolts, symbolizing thyroid pain or dysfunction.

However, healthcare professionals are increasingly discussing the "Bridge Builder Method" – an innovative approach developed from proven solutions specifically for weight reduction in people with Hashimoto's.

But why is this method so effective, and how can you incorporate it into your daily routine? We consulted with experts to explain what makes this therapeutic approach truly revolutionary.


How the Bridge Builder Method Works

The "Bridge Builder Method" represents a breakthrough therapeutic approach specifically designed to combat weight gain in people with Hashimoto's.

This method is founded on the understanding that Hashimoto's extends beyond mere hormonal imbalance—the key lies in restoring your body's complete metabolic equilibrium.

When properly implemented, the "Bridge Builder Method" offers multiple Hashimoto-specific benefits:

  • Targeted weight reduction
  • Decreased fatigue
  • Increased daily energy levels
  • Improved digestive function

In this article, you'll discover:

– How to seamlessly integrate the "Bridge Builder Method" into your daily routine to combat Hashimoto-related weight gain

– The critical mistakes you should NEVER make if you have Hashimoto's and want to lose weight

– The secret to optimizing your metabolism

– A comprehensive overview of sustainable solutions for managing Hashimoto's


In this article, you'll discover:

– How to seamlessly integrate the "Bridge Builder Method" into your daily routine to combat Hashimoto-related weight gain

– The critical mistakes you should NEVER make if you have Hashimoto's and want to lose weight

– The secret to optimizing your metabolism

– A comprehensive overview of sustainable solutions for managing Hashimoto's


Why Conventional Treatments Fall Short

Traditional treatment typically involves prescribing synthetic thyroid hormones to compensate for deficiencies and normalize TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) levels.

The problem? The journey of thyroid hormones through your body and their role in energy balance is far more complex than blood values alone indicate. While standard therapies focus on normalizing blood levels, many critical processes remain unaddressed.

It's not uncommon for patients to show normal TSH levels while still suffering from persistent symptoms. This happens because other fundamental processes, such as the conversion of T4 into active T3 in the liver, aren't functioning optimally.

Experts now recognize that effectively treating Hashimoto's requires an approach that goes beyond conventional hormone replacement therapy and addresses the multifaceted interactions within the body.

This holistic perspective is precisely what the "Bridge Builder Method" offers, explaining its growing popularity among healthcare professionals and Hashimoto's support communities.

The "Bridge Builder Method": A Holistic Approach

Imagine the production and effects of thyroid hormones in your body as a complex journey. Along this path are various critical checkpoints—each like a gorge that must be crossed.

For this process to flow smoothly, "bridges" are essential to enable safe passage.

This is where the name "Bridge Builder Method" originates: it ensures that at every crucial stage of the process, a stable bridge exists, allowing thyroid hormones to effectively fulfill their vital functions in your body.

Let's examine the 4 essential stages of this journey:

  1. Signaling: The pituitary gland releases TSH to activate the thyroid gland. Here, tyrosine, an essential amino acid, plays a crucial role as it's indispensable for forming thyroxine (T4).

  2. Production: In the thyroid gland, T4 is produced from tyrosine and iodine. Adequate tyrosine availability is critical—without it, your thyroid cannot effectively produce T4.

  3. Conversion: In the liver, T4 is transformed into the active T3 form. Amino acids like methionine are essential here, supporting your liver in this vital conversion process.

  4. Transport: Specialized proteins carry T3 hormones into your cells. Amino acids are also required to form these transport proteins.

The Bridge Builder Method strengthens and optimizes these essential steps, ensuring your complete thyroid hormone cycle functions efficiently, allowing you to unlock your full health potential.

nfographic titled “Thyroid activation” illustrating three steps in thyroid hormone function:
	1.	An illustration of a thyroid gland labeled “Formation of thyroid hormones.”
	2.	A liver icon labeled “Conversion of the hormones into the active form (the liver).”
	3.	Red blood cells labeled “Transport of the active thyroid hormones to the cells.”
Each step is numbered and connected by black arrows, set against a light green background.

Amino Acids – The Critical Missing Link

Dr. Simone Koch, a renowned thyroid health expert, emphasizes the fundamental importance of amino acids for proper thyroid function in her research.

Her findings indirectly validate the theory behind the Bridge Builder Method: a deficiency in certain essential amino acids leads to compromised thyroid function.

The most crucial amino acids for people with Hashimoto's include:

Essential amino acids:

  • L-Methionine: Plays a key role in converting T4 to T3 and supports liver detoxification. It also enhances absorption of zinc and selenium.
  • L-Phenylalanine: Serves as a precursor to tyrosine, which is essential for producing thyroid hormones T4 and T3.
  • L-Lysine: Strengthens the immune system and improves iron absorption, helping reduce fatigue and exhaustion.

Non-essential amino acids that are equally important:

  • L-Tyrosine: A direct precursor to thyroid hormones, necessary for adequate production of T4 and T3.
  • L-Cysteine, L-Glycine, Glutamine: These form glutathione, a powerful antioxidant vital for liver function and T4 to T3 conversion.

The "Bridge Builder Method" in Practice

The Bridge Builder Method was first implemented at the International Nutrition Research Center (INRC) in Florida under Prof. Dr. Luca Moretti's guidance.

Research determined that a combination of 8 essential amino acids, preferably from plant-based sources, yields optimal results.

These 8 essential amino acids are absorbed through the mucous membranes and become available in the body within just 19 minutes.

From these essential amino acids, your body can naturally produce all non-essential amino acids. This is why it's crucial to use amino acids that follow the Bridge Builder Method.

It's most effective when your body produces the non-essential amino acids itself, as this activates your own metabolic processes.

Therefore, there's no need to separately supplement with glutathione, glycine, glutamine, or cysteine.

Infographic titled “Types of Amino Acids” presenting three categories:
	1.	Essential Amino Acids – Eight amino acids the body cannot produce and must obtain from external sources. Includes: Isoleucin, Leucine, Valine (grouped as BCAA), Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan.
	2.	Semi-essential Amino Acids – Arginine and Histidine, which the body can produce, but sometimes not in sufficient amounts.
	3.	Non-essential Amino Acids – Ten amino acids that the body can synthesize itself: Alanine, Asparagine, Aspartic Acid, Cysteine, Glutamine, Glutamic Acid, Glycine, Proline, Serine, and Tyrosine.

While this method has been established in the United States for some time, in Germany currently only one company offers a product implementing the "Bridge Builder Method."

Amino 8 by Viktilabs is developed in Germany specifically for people with Hashimoto's struggling with weight management.

Amino-8 +viktilabs
Amino 8 von viktilabs
(4.9 stars)

Though this supplement has only been available for purchase for 6 months, it has already garnered numerous positive reviews on platforms like Trustpilot.

 Screenshot of three verified customer reviews for the product “Amino 8 – all essential amino acids in an optimal combination.”
Screenshot of three additional verified customer reviews for “Amino 8 – all essential amino acids in an optimal combination.”

How Amino 8 by Viktilabs Works

Amino 8 contains 8 essential amino acids particularly relevant for people with hypothyroidism, helping activate metabolism and support weight management.

These amino acids are absorbed directly through the mucous membranes, preventing autoimmune reactions.

Amino 8 is completely vegan, free from lectins and lactose, gluten-free, and contains no sugar or additives, making it the ideal protein source for people with hypothyroidism.

Key ingredients include:

  • L-Phenylalanine, which your body converts into L-tyrosine, a precursor to thyroxine (T4) essential for thyroid function.

  • L-Methionine, which supports the conversion of T4 to T3—a critical step for healthy metabolism.

  • Other amino acids that support the creation of transport proteins, ensuring thyroid hormones efficiently reach your cells. (L-Leucine, L-Valine, L-Isoleucine, L-Lysine, L-Threonine, and L-Tryptophan)

Amino-8 +viktilabs
Amino 8 von viktilabs
(4.9 stars)

UPDATE: Exclusive Offer with up to 25% Discount for Apotheken Report Readers

We were recently contacted by Viktilabs' PR department, who expressed their appreciation for our positive mention of their Amino 8 supplement.

As a special offer, the Viktilabs team has created an exclusive 3-month package at a particularly attractive price, available only to Apotheken Report readers. Our experts recommend using the product for at least this duration to achieve maximum benefits.

Please note: This special offer is available for a limited time only.

Your exclusive offer includes:

  • A 25% discount on the Amino 8 supplement

  • Limited-time availability

Amino-8 +viktilabs
Amino 8 von viktilabs
(4.9 stars)
Important Notice

Be aware of ineffective imitations sold elsewhere.
For authentic product and special reader benefits, purchase directly through the manufacturer’s online store.


DISCLAIMER:

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

This information does not constitute medical advice.

This supplement does not replace prescribed medications or treatments.
Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.


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