Hashimoto’s disease of thyroid gland
Hashimoto’s disease, or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland. It was first described by a Japanese doctor, Hakaru Hashimoto, at the beginning of 20th century.
Hashimoto’s is the most common cause of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). About 90% of all underactive thyroid issues are autoimmune. It means that the immune system attacks the thyroid gland by mistake. With time, the thyroid tissue is destroyed and it cannot produce enough thyroid hormones. The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly shaped gland located at the base of your neck, tucked under the Adam’s apple.
Signs and symptoms of Hashimoto’s
Despite the small size, thyroid hormones control virtually all of the body’s metabolic functions. They control how fast your heart beats, how fast you burn calories so essentially it helps the body make and use energy. Every cell in the body responds to thyroid hormones, so when the thyroid is being destroyed and it produces less and less hormones, the metabolism slows down and symptoms of slow (underactive) thyroid start to creep up. These can include:
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Hair loss & thinning eyebrows
- Feeling cold
- Having cold hands and feet
- Constipation
- Memory problems, “brain fog”
- Feeling low and depressed
- Dry skin
- Irregular or heavy periods
- Muscle weakness
- Infertility or miscarriage
- Reduced exercise or activity tolerance
- High cholesterol
- Goiter, or swelling of the neck
Who is at risk from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?
Hashimoto’s disease is more common in women between the ages of 30-50. It tends to run in families, which means you have a higher risk of developing Hashimoto’s if someone in your close family has it.
Additionally, if you already have 1 or more autoimmune conditions such as Celiac, Type 1 diabetes or Rheumatoid arthritis for example, you are more likely to develop another one. Therefore, it’s important to take steps to address the underlying root cause of the autoimmunity and to balance the immune system so that it doesn’t attack different tissue in the body resulting in an additional autoimmune condition.
What causes Hashimoto’s?
Although the causes of many autoimmune diseases remain unknown, a person’s genes in combination with infections and other environmental exposures are likely to play a significant role in disease development. It’s understood that at least two factors are required for Hashimoto’s to develop:
- Genetic predisposition
- Environmental factors which are the triggering events (e.g. bacterial or viral infections, food intolerances, toxins)
- Intestinal permeability (may or may not be present)
Is Hashimoto’s disease treatable?
Although replacement hormones are available for underactive thyroid, autoimmunity and so Hashimoto’s is not curable. The hormones will restore normal thyroid hormone levels, often resulting in improvement of symptoms, but that’s not always the case. However, finding and addressing the underlying causes contributing to poor health, balancing the immune system and calming down the inflammation are approaches that may result in symptom improvements and a better quality of life.
My approach to Hashimoto’s
Even though Hashimoto’s is not curable, there is a lot you can do to improve the situation, regain a better quality of life and take back control of your health.
Multiple variables may need to be looked into and addressed, including:
- Chronic stress
- Sleep issues
- Food intolerances and sensitivities, reactive foods
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Intestinal permeability and gut health
- Viral, bacterial, yeast and parasitic infections
- Toxins, pollutants, heavy metals, moulds
- Hormonal imbalances
What to do if you suspect underactive thyroid and Hashimoto’s?
I’m happy to support you holistically so that we can improve your symptoms and quality of life. At the same time, it’s important to speak to your doctor if you suspect any issues with your thyroid. Your doctor will run some blood tests to check your levels of TSH and FT4 and prescribe thyroid hormones if necessary. Thyroid hormones affect every cell in the body so it’s important to correct the low levels.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): It’s a hormone produced by a pituitary gland located in the brain. It tells the thyroid how much thyroid hormone (T4) to produce. If TSA is high, it usually means the thyroid is not producing enough T4 hormone, and your thyroid is underactive.
Free T4: It’s a thyroid hormone found in the bloodstream. If it’s low, it means the thyroid is not producing enough hormones (it’s underactive).
Anti-thyroid antibodies (TPO, Tg): Antibodies to the thyroid found in the blood point to an autoimmune condition. They allow for the diagnosis of Hashimoto’s as the cause of the underactive thyroid. Antibodies are usually not checked by doctors as it doesn’t change the way the condition is managed in the conventional medicine framework.
It is however important to know whether the immune system is turning against your own tissue. Having one autoimmune condition increases the risk of the immune system attacking different tissues and causing another autoimmune disease.
Private thyroid blood testing
If your doctor refuses to check for antibodies, there are private lab tests you can use to have them checked. One of the most comprehensive blood tests for thyroid health that I use checks for up to 109 blood markers. It gives not only a comprehensive picture of thyroid health but also other organs and systems in the body. Thyroid health affects everything else in the body, including cholesterol, sex hormones, and blood pressure, hence it makes sense to have a comprehensive check done.
Moreover, many nutrients are needed for the production of thyroid hormones, including iron, selenium, iodine, magnesium and B vitamins, so checking and optimising those can improve the function of the thyroid and general health. Additionally, it’s important to know the state of the immune system as any autoimmune condition is the condition of a misfiring, dysregulated immune system. So, in Hashimoto’s case, even though it’s the thyroid that’s affected, the problem lies with the immune system, not the thyroid itself. The same applies to any other autoimmune conditions. In MS, the immune system attacks the nerve cells in the central nervous system. And again, there is nothing wrong with the nerve cells, it’s the immune system that gets confused and it’s the immune system that needs addressing.
Where to start?
If you’d like to find out more or have any questions, please book a free 20-min inquiry call. I’ll help you make sense of your condition and honestly advise you about changes that need to be made for you to start reclaiming your health. As a nutritionist specialising in Hashimoto’s and an AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) coach, I can help you improve your diet and modify your lifestyle so that you have the best chance of achieving lasting wellness.
