All About Hashimoto’s Disease
What Is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?
Hashimoto’s disease is a chronic autoimmune disorder.
In any autoimmune disorder, the antibodies our system produces attack our healthy cells, tissues, and/or organs. Similarly, in the case of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the immune system produces antibodies that attack the healthy thyroid gland.
The autoimmune condition results in swelling of the thyroid gland and finally leads to atrophy. The inflammation followed by atrophy happens due to the destruction of the thyroid-producing cells by antibodies.
It damages the thyroid gland and prevents it from producing enough thyroid hormones. The lack of enough thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) affects the functioning and metabolism of our entire body.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is also known as Hashimoto’s disease, chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, and autoimmune thyroiditis.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?
Most people who have Hashimoto’s disease experience almost no symptoms at the early stages of the disease.
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As the autoimmune disorder progresses, Hashimoto’s disease causes the atrophy of the thyroid gland and lowers the thyroid hormone levels. People with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis experience several symptoms of hypothyroidism.
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Weight gain
- Intolerance to cold
- Muscle cramps
- Bradycardia (slowed heart rhythm)
- Relayed reflex relaxation
- Hair loss, coarse and dry hair
- Dry skin
- Edema or puffiness due to water retention
- Constipation
- Menstrual abnormalities (heavy or irregular periods)
- Fertility problems
In a few cases, people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may experience swelling in their throat region caused by the autoimmune reaction. The enlarged thyroid can create some pressure in your throat which is often called a goiter.
In some cases, the damage to the thyroid gland causes an increase in the production and release of thyroxine and tri-iodothyronine (T4 and T3, respectively).
Thus, without complete tests for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, it is impossible to tell if a person’s symptoms are due to primary hypothyroidism, TSH deficiency, or TRH (thyrotropin-releasing hormone) dysfunctions.
What Causes Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?
Researchers don’t yet know the exact cause of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. However, they insist that several factors can play a role in its development, such as –
- Genetics (family history)
- Viral infections (including Hep C)
Other factors that do contribute to a higher risk of Hashimoto’s include –
- Other genetic conditions such as Down’s Syndrome, HLA-DR3 mutations, Turner’s Syndrome, and Grave’s Disease
- High levels of stress
- High iodine consumption (medicines containing iodine for treating abnormal heart rhythm)
- Some medications prescribed for bipolar disorder and psychosis
- Exposure to radiation to the thyroid gland
Who Can Get Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the top cause of hypothyroidism in developed countries such as the USA. However, that does not mean it is not prevalent in India. With the advancement in diagnostics, more cases of Hashimoto’s disease are coming to light.
- Women are 7-times more likely to get Hashimoto’s as compared to men.
- It occurs more commonly in people above the age of 30 years. It is comparatively rare in children and teenagers.
- Those with a family history of Hashimoto’s are at higher risk of developing the disease.
- If you have other autoimmune disorders (celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, type 1 diabetes), you may have a higher chance of developing Hashimoto’s later in life.
Diagnosis of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
A functional medicine doctor will sit down with you for at least a 45-minute session to construct a timeline of events in your life that have affected your health over the years. They will assess each event including minor procedures and COVID-19 infections and following complications to understand how your body is reacting to these stressors.
please include a functional medicine history taking or timeline
Abnormal levels of thyroid hormones are not the disease. It is the symptom of a disease or disorder that your functional medicine doctor will investigate with you.
Next, they will explore all your symptoms while performing a physical examination.
The doctor will also prescribe several tests for Hashimoto’s that will confirm their diagnosis. Additional tests will help them determine which factors are playing major roles in the exacerbation of the signs and symptoms of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
A functional medicine doctor may ask you to do the following tests for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis –
- TSH
- Total T4
- Total T3
- Free T4
- Free T3
- Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb)
- Anti-thyroid peroxidase (Anti-TPO)
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B12
- Magnesium
- Iron Panel
- CBC with ESR
- Complete lipid profile
- Complete Liver Function Test (LFT)
- Complete Kidney Function Test (KFT)
- Cardiometabolic assessment
- Inflammation marker assessment
The number and types of tests for Hashimoto’s may vary for each person depending upon their unique signs and symptoms. Always talk to your functional medicine doctor before booking blood tests for thyroid or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Are There New Treatments For Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?
Sadly, there is no cure for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in modern western medicine. However, it is possible to entirely reverse the signs and symptoms of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or hypothyroidism caused by the autoimmune condition with functional medicine.
New treatments for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis include T4 hormone replacement therapy. That involves taking a synthetic hormone (levothyroxine) that functions just like its natural counterpart. It makes up for the deficiency of natural T4 (and T3, which is produced from T4) in your body.
You can experience permanent relief from the symptoms of Hashimoto’s with simple changes in your lifestyle and diet. Remember to take all the medicines and supplements your doctor prescribes. And, opt for regular testing of your thyroid profile after your Hashimoto’s diagnosis is confirmed.
Refer to our blog on How to Cure Thyroid Disease Forever to learn more about reversing the symptoms of hypothyroidism.
What Complications Can Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Cause?
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis causes hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormones play a significant role in carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism as well as regulate the function of several other glands. Therefore, a drop in the T3 and T4 levels can cause the following problems –
- High blood cholesterol
- Heart diseases
- Atherosclerosis (fat buildup in arteries)
- Myxedema
- Fertility problems and complications during pregnancy
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis vs. Hypothyroidism: What’s The Difference?
Hashimoto’s disease may be one of the possible causes of hypothyroidism. However, not all hypothyroidism is due to Hashimoto’s.
Other causes of hypothyroidism may include –
- Insufficient iodine consumption
- Surgical removal of part or whole of the thyroid gland
- Medication(s) used to treat psychosis, bipolar disorder, and cancer.
- Congenital disorders of the thyroid gland
- Disorders of the pituitary or hypothalamus
- Exposure to radiation or radioactive iodine for the treatment of hyperthyroidism
Primary hypothyroidism is often treated with medicines like levothyroxine to supplement the low thyroid hormone production. However, if your hypothyroidism is due to Hashimoto’s you may need supportive medication to reduce autoimmune reactions, and inflammation. Your thyroid specialist will also give you a special diet that can help you manage the signs and symptoms of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Sometimes, hypothyroidism is a symptom of a more complex underlying condition. Therefore, searching for the root cause is always necessary after your doctor diagnoses you with hypothyroidism.
