Hashimoto’ disease? Treat your immune system, not your thyroid

Did you know that Hashimotos is the most common cause of hypothyroidism?

Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks your thyroid, resulting in impaired thyroid function leading to all the common hypothyroid symptoms - persistent fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, low libido, constipation, dry skin, hair loss, irregular and heavy periods and the list goes on. 

Factors that may contribute to Hashimoto’s include: 

• Viruses including Epstein Barr virus 

• Bacterial overgrowths and infections in the gut, including SIBO 

• Prolonged stress 

• Elevated inflammation

• Pregnancy and other hormonal transitions or changes 

• Other co-occurring autoimmune conditions 

• Family history/genetic predisposition 

• Heavy metals and toxin load 

• Consuming allergenic and inflammatory foods 

• Along with nutrient deficiencies or excessive iodine intake

Unlike in non-immune mediated hypothyroidism, simply treating/supporting the thyroid by providing the nutrients needed for thyroid function (iodine, selenium, zinc etc) is not enough in Hashimotos. Instead of treating the thyroid, we need to regulate the immune system to address the autoimmune attack that is occurring against your thyroid. 

If you have hypothyroidism, your doctor will likely put you on thyroxine, or thyroid hormone replacement. While this can be an important step, taking thyroxine alone does not address WHY the thyroid problem is occurring in the first place. 

If you have been told that you have hypothyroidism, but have never had your thyroid antibodies checked, this is a very important place to start. Reach out if you need help with your thyroid health