Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: What is it?

What is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis?

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition that leads to an underactive thyroid and consequent symptoms. Though it is the most common in middle-aged women, Hashimoto’s may affect anyone, men, and women at any age, including children and teens. It is the most common form of hypothyroidism, therefore it is very important to recognize its symptoms to receive treatment as soon as possible. It is just as important to understand its causes in order to prevent Hashimoto’s thyroiditis from happening in the first place.

Hashimoto’s disease or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder that causes an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism. Autoimmune diseases are a group of conditions in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your body causing all kinds of symptoms and health problems. In the cases of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, your immune system attacks your thyroid.

Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of your neck below your Adam’s apple. It’s an essential part of your endocrine system, a system that produces hormones in your body to coordinate and carry out important functions. For example, your thyroid hormones influence how your body uses energy. As a result, they impact every organ in your body, including your heartbeat.

If you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, your thyroid becomes enlarged. As a result, it’s simply unable to make enough thyroid hormones. Without having enough thyroid hormones and a functioning thyroid many of your bodily functions slow down and your health becomes compromised .

If you have Hashimoto’s disease, you may not have any symptoms at first. However, as the disease slowly progresses, you may notice that your thyroid is getting larger and your neck looks somewhat swollen. This enlarged thyroid is also known as a goiter. It may lead to a feeling of fullness in your throat, but usually no pain.

Major Causes of Hashimoto’s
While researchers are still not completely sure why autoimmune disorders, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis develop, based on evidence, they speculate that they are likely a result of a combination of issues. Poor diet, food sensitivities, poor lifestyle choices, infections, and toxins may all play part triggering autoimmune diseases.

In order to prevent and repair autoimmunity, it is important to understand these factors that may cause it. Let’s look at them one by one.

Poor Diet and Food Sensitivities
Your gut plays a critical role when it comes to autoimmune conditions, thyroid health, and Hashimoto’s disease. Poor gut health and a gut flora imbalance may lead to inflammation and trigger an immune response. People with autoimmune conditions are also more likely to have food sensitivity than others.

It is important that you get tested for food sensitivities or try an elimination diet yourself. The most common food sensitivities include gluten, sugar, dairy, corn, soy, refined vegetable oils, additives, and preservatives. These are also the most inflammatory foods that can harm your health, hence you may only benefit from staying away from them completely.

Testing For Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
If you suspect that you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, it’s very important to get tested so you can start an appropriate treatment regimen. It is important to get a complete panel and check your TSH, free T4, free T3, and reverse T3 levels along with some antibody testing.

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DR. JINAAN JAWAD
D.C., DACNB, FACFN, FIAMA, CFMP

Dr. Jawad is a Board Certified Chiropractic Neurologist and Acupuncturist. In addition, a Diplomat for the American Chiropractic Neurology Board, Fellow of the American College of Functional Neurology as well as Fellow of the International Academy of Medical Acupuncture. He is a Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner.

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