Understanding Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Healing Your Immune System to Support Your Thyroid

When we talk about Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, it’s often thought of as a “thyroid problem.” But in reality, Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition that negatively affects the thyroid. The thyroid is simply the victim of an overactive immune system that mistakenly attacks it. Understanding this distinction is key to uncovering the root cause of the problem and finding lasting solutions to improve your health.

What is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly targets and attacks the thyroid gland. Over time, this can lead to inflammation and damage, often resulting in hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). Trying to support the thyroid with medication doesn't address the problem and will put you in a Hyperthyroid state, increasing anxiety, heart rate, and restlessness.

Why Does Hashimoto’s Happen?

The immune system, which is designed to protect your body from harmful invaders, becomes confused and begins to attack your own tissues—in this case, the thyroid gland. Different things can trigger your immune system including food sensitivities, gut issues, underlying viral infections, nutrient deficiencies, and more. This attack disrupts normal thyroid function, leading to a cascade of symptoms.

Symptoms of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Hashimoto’s symptoms can vary widely but often include:

• Fatigue and low energy

• Weight gain despite no changes in diet or exercise

• Hair thinning or hair loss

• Cold intolerance

• Dry skin

• Constipation

• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating

• Depression or anxiety

• Muscle weakness

• Irregular or heavy menstrual cycles

• Goiters or cysts (enlargement of the thyroid)

These symptoms overlap with those of other conditions, which is why proper testing and diagnosis are so important.

Why Hashimoto’s is an Immune System Problem

In Hashimoto’s, the immune system’s triggers are what drive the problem—not the thyroid itself. Addressing these triggers can reduce or stop the immune system’s attack on the thyroid. The focus should shift from solely managing thyroid hormone levels to understanding and addressing the underlying immune system dysfunction. Find the root cause!

How to Identify Your Immune System Triggers

Every person with Hashimoto’s has unique triggers that set their immune system off. Identifying and addressing these triggers is critical for healing your immune system and your thyroid.

Common Triggers of Hashimoto’s:

1. Nutrient Deficiencies:

   1. Low levels of selenium, zinc, iodine, vitamin D, or magnesium can impair thyroid and immune function.

2. Chronic Stress:

   1. Stress elevates cortisol, which can disrupt the immune system and worsen inflammation.

3. Gut Health Issues:

   1. Leaky gut syndrome, gut dysbiosis, or infections like H. pylori and Lyme Disease can cause immune system hyperactivity.

4. Food Sensitivities:

   1. Gluten, dairy, and eggs are common triggers for autoimmune reactions, but other sensitivities can also play a role. Individualized testing is key to identifying your sensitivities.

5. Environmental Toxins:

   1. Exposure to heavy metals, pesticides, or endocrine disruptors can stress the immune system.

6. Infections:

   1. Viral infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Lyme Disease, are linked to Hashimoto’s development in some cases.

7. Hormonal Imbalances:

   1. Dysregulated estrogen or cortisol levels can affect thyroid function and immune system activity.

8. Chronic Inflammation:

   1. Systemic inflammation from food or your environment fuels autoimmune activity and can worsen thyroid damage.

Testing for Hashimoto’s and Thyroid Health

Proper testing is essential to diagnose Hashimoto’s and understand the root causes of your immune dysfunction. Functional medicine testing goes beyond standard lab tests (TSH) to uncover deeper issues.

Key Tests to Request:

1. Thyroid Antibodies:

   1. Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOAb)

   2. Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb)

   3. Elevated levels confirm Hashimoto’s.

2. Comprehensive Thyroid Panel:

   1. TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies provide a full picture of thyroid function.

3. Nutrient Testing:

   1. Check for deficiencies in selenium, iodine, zinc, vitamin D3, B12, and magnesium.

4. Gut Health Testing:

   1. Stool tests or intestinal permeability testing can reveal gut imbalances or infections.

5. Food Sensitivity Testing:

   1. Identifies foods that may be triggering immune reactions.

6. Cortisol and Adrenal Function Testing:

   1. Measures the impact of chronic stress on your body.

7. Toxin Panels:

   1. Evaluates heavy metals, mold, or other environmental toxins that could trigger immune dysfunction.

How to Heal Your Immune System and Support Your Thyroid

Working with a functional medicine practitioner is essential for developing a personalized plan to address your specific triggers and heal your immune system. Here’s an overview of common strategies for healing from Hashimoto's:

1. Support Gut Health:

   1. Incorporate gut-healing foods like bone broth, fermented foods, and fiber-rich vegetables.

   2. Consider probiotics and supplements like L-glutamine and Glutathione to repair leaky gut.

2. Identify and Remove Triggers:

   1. Eliminate inflammatory foods and sensitivities and monitor if symptoms improve.

   2. Minimize toxin exposure by using non-toxic household and personal care products.

3. Address Nutrient Deficiencies:

   1. Supplement with selenium, iodine, zinc, magnesium and vitamin D if deficient.

   2. Include nutrient-dense foods like colorful vegetables, wild-caught seafood, organic meat, leafy greens, and nuts.

4. Manage Stress:

   1. Practice stress-reducing techniques such as yoga, meditation, or journaling.

   2. Incorporate adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha or rhodiola (under professional guidance).

5. Balance Hormones:

   1. Work with your practitioner to regulate estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, and insulin levels.

6. Reduce Inflammation:

   1. Adopt an anti-inflammatory diet, emphasizing omega-3 fatty acids, turmeric, and colorful vegetables. Paleo, Whole-30, and Mediterranean food plans are good places to start.

7. Monitor Progress:

   1. Regularly test thyroid levels, antibodies, and markers of inflammation to track improvements.

      
      

Final Thoughts

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is not a thyroid issue—it’s a sign of deeper immune system dysfunction. Healing starts by identifying and addressing the unique triggers behind your immune system’s attack on the thyroid.

At Roots Wholistic Health, we specialize in functional medicine testing to uncover the root causes of autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s. By addressing those underlying issues, we can help you restore balance, heal your immune system, and support optimal thyroid function.

If you’re ready to take control of your health, schedule a consultation to start your journey toward healing and thriving - https://rootswholistichealth.janeapp.com/#/functional-medicine.