WHAT IS HASHIMOTO'S DISEASE

Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease in which the body begins to attack and destroy thyroid tissue.  As tissue dies, the thyroid becomes less and less able to produce its own thyroid hormones until permanent replacement eventually becomes necessary.   

SYMPTOMS OF HASHIMOTO'S

Mixed and/or alternating symptoms of hypothyroid and hyperthyroid are indicative of Hashimotos Disease. Below is a list of both hypo and hyper symptoms:

Fatigue

Dry eyes 

Blurred vision 

Eye discomfort or pain 

Exhaustion after minimal exertion 

Muscle weakness 

Tendonitis 

Renaulds Disease – also add to Graves and hyper 

Swelling in hands and feet 

Hair loss and/or thinning 

Weight gain 

Low blood pressure or high blood pressure 

Slow pulse 

Constipation 

Brain fog 

Depression 

Irritability 

Anxiety 

Dizziness  

Vertigo 

Irregular or missed periods 

Miscarriage 

Low libido 

Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar 

High cholesterol 

HOW DID I GET HASHIMOTO'S DISEASE

First, you started with the genetic disposition.  Someone in your genetic tree had thyroid condition whether it was symptomatic or not; whether it was diagnosed or not.  If someone had hypothyroid but was not labeled with Hashimoto’s, know that the possibility of it being an undiagnosed Hashimoto’s is quite probable.  90% of hypothyroidism has an underlying Hashimoto’s component.  So if you have relatives who have or had thyroid removal, ask about their history, their symptoms and diagnosis.

WHY WAS I NEVER TESTED FOR HASHIMOTO'S 
Even though you may have been diagnosed with hypothyroid disease, doctors don’t often do the test for Hashimoto’s (two antibodies is most typical) because knowing that does not change their treatment, which is to watch your thyroid and medicate when necessary.  However, research today shows that if you have one autoimmune disease you are likely to develop another one or more.  It also shows there are many non-invasive interventions that can be done in order to help to suppress the expression of or symptoms of this autoimmune disease. 

For one, studies show that for those with the genetic disposition to Hashimoto’s, taking iodine supplementation will most likely exacerbate the condition or cause it to express for the first time if it hasn’t already. That's helpful information to have, especially if you're a seaweed fan or if you take supplements containing iodine.

You can order thyroid testing through GallbladderAttack.com which includes antibody testing.

HOW IS HASHIMOTO'S TREATED

Please note that there is no cure for Hashimoto’s or any other autoimmune disease. There is, however, much one can do to put it into and keep it under control, if you are lucky. These days, the treatment of Hashimoto’s is to keep the TSH in the right place, but not to manage the immune response, unless one is in actual active thyroid destruction as expressed in acute hyperactive thyroiditis. Since an autoimmune disease is not reversible, the goal should be to manage the immune response – to build the immune system and to keep away as much as possible from its triggers. That involves learning all about the triggers first. 

TRIGGERS OF HASHIMOTOS AND MANY OTHER AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES

Inflammation 

Stress such as illness or pregnancy 

Lack of Sleep 

Blood sugar swings 

Gluten, dairy primarily but other food allergens as well 

Iodine 

Viral infection 

HASHIMOTO'S DIET

Studies also showed that people who had active Hashimoto’s who went on a gluten-free diet put their Hashimoto’s into remission.Add Ref  Gluten-free living is an adjustment that requires some study to understand. Start with our explanation and lists of gluten-containing foods, but continue to educate yourself. Read "Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms When My Blood Tests Are Normal" by Datis Kharrizian.

Avoiding iodine is a simple adjustment to make. Change your iodized table salt to a natural sea salt, avoid dulse and other seaweeds and read all the ingredients in your supplements, watching for iodine.

HASHIMOTO'S THYROIDITIS

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is inflammation of the thyroid gland in a person who has Hashimoto’s autoimmune disease.  In these people, the swelling tends to come and go, i.e. they have times when the thyroid is under attack and they have times when it is not.  Basically, it is an autoimmune flare-up.  TSH will be low as opposed to in hypothyroid where TSH is high. Generally it will be accompanied by hyperthyroid symptoms of palpitations, night sweats, sweaty palms, insomnia, anxiety, and more.  Some people who are usually in hypothyroid mode, slow moving and on the depressed side, are happy to finally have some energy and motivation when they swing over to the hyper side.  Understandably so, but the longer this goes unchecked, the more thyroid tissue is destroyed which is not good.  It is important to see your doctor immediately and to have your thyroid levels checked and your medication altered.  Sometimes, the thyroiditis is actually a symptoms of Grave’s disease which is very serious.

This sudden onset hyperthyroid of Hashimoto’s is not as common as a slow, imperceptible attack on the thyroid that gradually leads to loss of enough thyroid tissue that one becomes permanently hypothyroid.  That is the most common.  However, in the event that Hashimoto’s does develop a thyroiditis with hyperthyroidism symptoms such as palpitations, inner trembling, maybe trembling hands, insomnia, etc. it is important to see an endocrinologist immediately to have him assess the situation and your medication. The thyroid tissue is under attack at this time and is being destroyed. 

DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN GRAVES AND HASHIMOTO'S

When a Hashimotos thyroid patient is in overactive mode, the thyroid gland becomes inflamed and is called Hashimotos Thyroiditis. When the hashimotos patient’s thyroid is in underactive mode, it is called Hashimotos Hypothyroid. It is not a particular, separate disease, but the current state of the disease. Both are a part of the Hashimotos autoimmune condition.

READ ABOUT GRAVES DISEASE>>>