Autoimmune diseases are conditions where the body’s defenses against harmful outsiders like germs and bacteria are redirected to healthy cells. Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disease where antibody cells attach to healthy cells in the thyroid and slowly destroy them. Thyroid complications such as Hashimoto’s often present with symptoms such as fatigue and, over time, can result in heart conditions. Read on to learn more about the tests needed to uncover Hashimoto’s disease, and to learn about how naturopathy can help.
First off, I have to stress this: when it comes to figuring out whether or not you have a thyroid issue, sometimes the diagnosis of “you’re fine” is not true. Please do not accept “it’s fine” as an answer. If you suspect this, make sure you see a practitioner who will do a complete thyroid and adrenal evaluation; go through the blood work with you; explain what’s normal, sluggish or off, and give you a copy. If you aren’t getting these things, then you aren’t getting the full story.
Most of my patients with hypothyroidism or suspected hypothyroidism have no idea whether or not their condition is autoimmune in nature. But having an autoimmune process in your body is something you need to know. There are two types of autoimmune diseases in the thyroid: Graves’ and Hashimoto’s. In this article, we will focus on Hashimoto’s Disease.
What is Hashimoto’s Disease?
Hashimoto’s Disease involves an attack by your own body against the cells within your thyroid. These special “antibody” cells, meant to attack outside invaders (germs, viruses, etc) mistakenly attach to healthy cells in your thyroid and gradually destroy them. This prevents your thyroid from producing necessary thyroid hormones. This causes hypothyroidism as your thyroid gland deteriorates.
Hypothyroidism can cause a wide range of symptoms and serious problems over time from fatigue and weight gain to depression and heart problems. In Hashimoto’s Disease, other healthy cells in other glands may also be attacked and damaged including the adrenal glands, pancreas, and acid-producing cells of the stomach. This means the impact of the autoimmune disease is prevalent body-wide. You can learn more about this by reading my article on sluggish or overt hypothyroidism.
How common is Hashimoto’s Disease?
Developed countries have higher occurrences of Hashimoto’s. In these regions, Hashimoto’s Disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. It is more common in women than men (about 9:1), and is most commonly diagnosed between people aged 30 to 60 years old.
Once the disease has progressed significantly, tests can show markers in the blood that thyroid cells are being attacked by an autoimmune process. However, it is also possible even before these markers show up in the blood to see the disease through biopsies of tissue from those with currently normal or sluggish thyroid output. This means that the autoimmune process is well underway by the time it’s found in the blood.
What causes Hashimoto’s Disease?
This is a complex answer because it isn’t just one thing: it’s many factors coming together in a perfect storm. In order for an autoimmune disease to develop or be sustained, there are three things that must be present. This is known as the 3-legged stool of autoimmunity:
- Genetic predisposition. This accounts for about 25% of the risk only.
- A trigger. Environmental factors can range from any type of assault on the body from physical, psychological, or emotional stress to chemical exposure or simply overload and inability to detoxify effectively from everyday food, beauty, household chemicals and low grade chronic or acute infections.
- Intestinal permeability (leaky gut). See my article on this to learn more.
What tests can determine if I have Hashimoto’s Disease?
A complete thyroid panel is the minimum that is needed for a diagnosis. This includes TSH, Free T3, Free T4, TPO antibodies, Thyroglobulin antibodies, Reverse T3, and TSH receptor antibodies when needed.
We earlier looked at the prevalence of Hashimoto’s and found the disease in biopsy with those who have totally normal tests. This means bloodwork does not account for all cases. You need to work with a practitioner who will correlate your symptoms with your bloodwork and question and consider your triggers/risk factors for developing the condition to determine whether you do in fact have Hashimoto’s Disease.
What can I do if I have Hashimoto’s Disease?
Here’s what you’ve probably been waiting for! I wish I could tell you there’s a magic prescription for this, but treatment is very much unique to each person. A Naturopathic Doctor will take time to ask questions and understand your particular 3-legged stool of autoimmunity and work with you to improve each aspect.
However, in addition to your individualized care, there are several things that help stop the autoimmune attack on the thyroid regardless of the initial causes. These include:
- a gluten, dairy and soy-free diet
- selenomethionine
- zinc
- appropriate vitamin D status for autoimmunity
- adrenal support
- herbs that modulate the immune system (immunomodulators)
- reducing oxidative stress
Izabella Wentz, the Thyroid Pharmacist, has a great article to help you understand more on this topic.
If you have any doubts about your diagnosis on Hashimoto’s Disease or you’re experiencing unexplained symptoms, I hope this article encourages you to seek support and dig deeper with a trained practitioner. If you’d like to understand more, consider booking a consultation with me and I will help you get to the bottom of your concerns.