Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition that causes damage to our thyroid gland. We don’t fully understand why Hashimoto’s occurs, but there is likely a genetic and environmental component that plays a role.
What does our thyroid do?
Our thyroid gland (located in our neck at the front of our throat) is responsible for the generation of thyroid hormones (T3, T4) which impact a variety of different cells and mechanisms in our body. This includes metabolism (and therefore energy use in the body), growth (pregnancy, fertility) temperature regulation, how fast our digestive system moves, muscle contraction, heart rate, brain development (and our central nervous system), and maintaining skin and bone healing.
When our thyroid is under or over functioning, we can see a variety of different symptoms. These may include:
Low energy
Cold temperature
Depression
Constipation
Dry Skin
Hair loss/thinning
Hashimoto’s being an autoimmune condition means that our immune system attacks the thyroid gland. The damage to our thyroid is caused by immune cells infiltrating the gland. The outcome of this thyroid cell destruction is an under functioning thyroid or hypothyroid state.
How can Blood Work help diagnose?
Typically blood work is run to evaluate how well our thyroid hormones are functioning.
On blood work this low thyroid state typically looks like elevated Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), lower T3 and T4 (the thyroid hormones that work at the level of our cells), and elevated antibodies (antiTPO, antiTG).
Our TSH is elevated because our thyroid works on a feedback loop with our brain. When the cells don’t sense enough T3 or T4 at their receptors they tell the brain, “send a bigger signal!”. The brain in turn increases TSH, which in healthy states, increases T3 and T4. When our thyroid health is compromised, the gland can’t make T3 and T4 so the signal keeps increasing, leading to a high TSH but low thyroid function.
Our antibodies (antiTPO and antiTG) are elevated specifically in Hashimoto’s due to the immune system activation against our thyroid. The antibodies don’t cause any damage themselves, but rather are our signals that the immune system is causing damage to the thyroid. antiTPO is elevated in about 90% of patients with Hashimoto’s whereas antiTG captures about 40-60% of Hashimoto’s patients.
What can we do?
In addition to medication (levothryoxine prescribed by your doctor), we can help reduce autoimmune inflammation and lower thyroid antibodies with targeted and research based supplementation.
We can also discuss how lifestyle factors like nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress management can support your energy, mood, and potential future fertility.
Why is a holistic approach to hashimoto’s important?
Often even with medication, patients can still not feel well, with symptoms lingering despite a return to normal blood work levels. Patients may also experience challenges with fertility or pregnancy which we can work with them to support their needs.
Learn more about how we can help you investigate, manage and treat Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis by booking a complimentary meet and greet with one of our naturopathic doctors today.