The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped organ in your neck, and although it’s relatively small, it has a pretty big role in major processes throughout the body. It communicates with the brain, releases hormones that regulate heart rate, body temperature, and more, as well as supports sleep, immune function, and digestion. Thyroid diseases such as Hashimoto’s are common chronic illnesses that result in hormone imbalances and debilitating symptoms that can also aggravate autoimmune activity in other areas of the body. So what is Hashimoto’s disease? Read on to learn more about causes, symptoms, effects on nutrition, and how to improve your thyroid health!
What is Hashimoto’s Disease?
Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition that attacks your thyroid gland and can cause hypothyroidism, which is when your body stops producing enough hormones and/or stops converting hormones correctly to meet your body’s needs. When these levels become too low, you will start to experience symptoms that may start out unnoticeable but gradually become worse. However, sometimes symptoms precede irregularity in lab values. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is the most common autoimmune disease in the world and can affect both men and women, but women are much more likely to be diagnosed with thyroid disease than men.
Thyroid Health & Nutrition
Those with Hashimoto’s are at an increased risk of developing nutritional deficiencies, so a targeted diet is key to supporting thyroid health and hormonal balance. Vitamin D, Omega-3s, selenium, zinc, and probiotics are just a few examples of nutrients that can make an impact!
Causes, Symptoms & What to Do Next
Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune reaction, and all autoimmune activity can be traced back to the gut and chronic inflammation. The most common signs of hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s disease include weight gain, constipation, brain fog, difficulty sleeping, joint pain, and anxiety. So now that we’ve answered the question– what is Hashimoto’s Disease?- what are the next steps for getting help? This is where our online autoimmune specialists come in! Here at Dr. Autoimmune, we’ve helped many Hashimoto’s patients find success in improving their symptoms through lifestyle changes, nutrition, and supplementation. But first, we run thorough thyroid hormone blood tests and other panels to check for markers that most doctors don’t test.
Thyroid Hormone Testing
Standard thyroid panels only test the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) or the basic T3 and T4 hormones; however, our full thyroid panel tests the full range of blood markers including:
- TSH
- T3 & T4
- Free T3 & Free T4
- Thyroid peroxidase (TPO)
- Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb)
- Thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb)
- And more!
Working with the team at Dr. Autoimmune ensures that the root cause of your autoimmune condition is understood through comprehensive testing, discussion, and innovative functional medicine principles. With our lifestyle and diet support, you can find relief from hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s!
Request a consultation with our autoimmune experts today and let’s help you get started on a journey towards better health. We hope you’ve learned more about what Hashimoto’s Disease is, the signs of a thyroid imbalance to look out for, and how your nutrition can make a big impact. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!
