What is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?
Common Symptoms of Hashimoto’s
Do you experience any of these symptoms?
Anxiety
Fatigue
Depression
Hair loss
Bloating
Weight gain
Brain fog
Gastrointestinal issues
Food sensitivities
If so, you might have an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.
Before you get too concerned, let’s dive into what that means, how common it is, what you can do about it, and more. So, let’s get started.
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: An autoimmune condition
In any autoimmune condition, the problem is dysregulation of the immune system. The immune system’s responsibility in general is to surveille and attack as appropriate. The problem when you have an autoimmune condition is that the immune system is attacking things that it otherwise shouldn’t be. It might attack your joints, nerves, skin, and so on, but in Hashimoto’s, it is attacking the thyroid gland.
Does this mean your body doesn’t know what it’s doing? Does it mean it’s broken? Absolutely not.
It means that it’s overwhelmed. It’s ability to navigate friend versus foe has been damaged. But the good news is that there is so much that you can do about it to not only move in a more positive direction but also possibly reverse it. Keep reading.
How common is Hashimoto’s?
20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease: hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Grave’s disease, and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Estimates are that 90-97% of those who are hypothyroid (underactive thyroid) in the United States also have Hashimoto’s. The problem is that it isn’t standard practice to screen for Hashimoto’s which means many patients go years or even decades before being diagnosed. You want to identify it as soon as possible so you can make the necessary changes to stop it in its tracks.
What can I do about my thyroid problem?
First, talk to your doctor about getting comprehensive blood work done. Typically, you will have a thyroid test of TSH and T4 (the active thyroid hormone in the body) without testing the other thyroid hormone T3 and thyroid antibodies. It is important to make sure your provider is ordering what’s called a “full thyroid panel” (i.e. TSH, free T4, free T3, reverse T3, TPO antibodies and TG thyroid antibodies). When we know the level of thyroid antibodies (if any), we know if an autoimmune condition is present and how aggressive the attack is on the thyroid.
Second, analyze the results. Just because you’re within the “normal ranges” does not mean that everything is perfect. Those normal ranges don’t mean that you feel good. I’m sure you already know that. It’s important to see if those lab results are within the optimal ranges. A functional medicine practitioner who is well-versed on thyroid conditions can help guide you.
Lastly, get help. Most cases of pure hypothyroidism can be treated with thyroid hormones, but when navigating Hashimoto’s, the autoimmune attack will remain unless you find the root cause. Ways to get help with your thyroid include figuring out the underlying cause, getting supportive thyroid medication to help you feel better during the transition, and adding necessary vitamins and nutrients to your daily routine are all important. A multifaceted approach is necessary, but disease reversal is possible. Let’s repeat that….
HASHIMOTO’S CAN BE REVERSED!
If you’re sick of the revolving door of doctor’s appointments, lab draws, medications, and still feeling like crap, it’s time for you to take control of your health. Nobody is going to take better care of yourself than you. A targeted approach to meet your needs and guidance from a functional medicine practitioner who is a partner in your health can be the answer you need to stop the revolving door.
Book a free discovery call today to see if working together would be a good fit. Your health is in your control.
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The Shore Integrative Health Team
(443) 339-9713
kristin@shoreintegrativehealth.com
508 Idlewild Avenue, Unit 5
Easton, MD 21601
Written by Virginia Conner, PA-C