Hashimoto’s Disease – A Disorder of the Thyroid Gland
Hashimoto’s disease affects the small, but immensely important gland at the base of the throat, above the collar-bone, called the thyroid. This is a part of the endocrine system in the body that is useful for the body to function at the cellular level. Among the various hormones regulated by the pituitary gland is the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)that balances the levels of T3 and T4 hormones in the body. If the thyroid becomes under-active, it causes a general slowdown in the body including reduction of the metabolic rate, resulting in weight gain. An enlarged thyroid or Hashimoto’s disease is sometimes the first sign of the disease if the thyroid disorder is not caught in time. This is related to Graves’ disease, another disorder that affects the thyroid gland.
One of the reasons that Hashimoto’s disease occurs is that the immune system starts making antibodies that interfere with the thyroid glands’ ability to make the important hormones. The thyroid then often becomes inflamed and swollen and under functions resulting in in a condition called hypothyroidism. While hypothyroidism may be caused by other factors as well, Hashimoto’s disease is the primary cause of hypothyroidism among females, particularly the young or middle-aged in the United States. However, it can affect males and females of any age.
Causes of Hashimoto’s disease
The precise causes of Hashimoto’s disease are not known, but people who are at an increased risk of developing this may already be suffering from auto-immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, vitiligo and others or those who have a family history of auto-immune disorders. However, women are seven times more likely than men to suffer from Hashimoto’s disease. Sometimes women who have given birth develop a thyroid problem shortly thereafter.
Exposure to radiation due to a nuclear accident such as the detonation of the atom bomb in Japan, the Chernobyl disaster and other such incidents can also be a factor in thyroiditis. Radiation treatment for Hodgkin’s disease (a kind of cancer) can also be a causative factor. Iodine in the diet – in excess or low amounts – can also result in thyroid disorders. The Key to supporting your thyroid often requires a multidimensional approach.
Symptoms of Hashimoto’s disease
While the progression of the disease may be slow and at times unnoticeable, you should be aware of some symptoms of a thyroid disorder. These include:
- Constant and inexplicable fatigue and a feeling of malaise
- Dry and frizzy hair
- Unexplained joint and muscle pains
- Dry skin
- Weight gain
- Constant irritability
- A general slowing down of mental processes
- Fertility problems
- Depression
- Memory loss
- Hair loss
- Brittle nails
- Constipation
- Cold feeling in hands and feet
- Irregular periods
- Hoarseness in the voice
- Dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing
- Puffy face
As these symptoms may occur due to a variety of reasons and diseases, it is important you consult a doctor who can advise a simple blood test to diagnose a thyroid disorder apart from clinically co-relating the findings. If untreated, the disease progresses rapidly and in severe cases can lead to seizures, coma and even be fatal. In pregnant women who are not treated, low thyroid levels can cause birth defects in the baby. Untreated thyroid disorders also lead to many problems during surgery and can affect the course of treatment of some diseases.
Treatment for this disorder
There is no cure for Hashimoto’s disease, and the longer it goes mismanaged or misdiagnosed the more damage it causes. Treatment should be focused on what is causing the immune system to systematically destroy the thyroid. These Triggers can be food sensitivities, hormone imbalances, Gut infections, bacterial overgrowth in the intestines, Infections, chemical irritants like plastic, Flouride and Bromide, Bis phenol A, nuclear radiation, Neurotransmitter imbalances, Poor liver function, gut disbiosis, and inflammation to name a few.
Diet also plays a role in maintaining a patient’s health and well-being. Identifying your unique food sensitivities is a good place to start. In fact very recently a study was published showing that people who had Hashimotos and eat gluten require more thyroid medications. This is probably due to the recent research into how gluten can damage the thyroid.
Learn about the 10 steps to reversing your Thyroid Disorder here
Our Personal Thyroid Treatment Program is a great place to start
The Personal Program Thyroid Recovery Program is a Natural Treatment for Thyroid Problems
Our office utilizes nutritional supplements, Dietary modifications, Nutritional Counseling, Advanced Testing, Hormone and endocrine support formula, Dietary assessment, and lifestyle guidance.
Our Personal Thyroid Recovery Program Customized to the Individual. NO cookie cutter approaches.
The Personal Program Thyroid Recovery Program is a Natural Treatment for Low Thyroid function, Hypothyroidism, Hyper thyroidism and Hashimoto’s problems. Our office utilizes nutritional supplements, Dietary modifications, Hormone and endocrine support formula, and lifestyle guidance.
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Each person suffering with Thyroid symptoms problem has a different set of mechanisms or causes. Our office will customize a Thyroid Restoration Program based on your testing and tailored to your individual needs.
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