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If you’re struggling with fatigue or unexpected weight gain, perhaps you’ve suspected that you might have a thyroid problem. In fact, these are just a few of the many symptoms you may experience when you are hypothyroid, meaning that your thyroid is underactive.
But your thyroid may not be the underlying cause of your symptoms. It is estimated that 90% of those conventionally diagnosed with hypothyroidism actually have Hashimoto’s disease, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. It is an autoimmune disease which means the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues.
In the case of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the immune system infiltrates and damages the thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped gland at the front of the neck. Specifically, immune cells produce proteins called antibodies that capture and neutralize substances required for the production of thyroid hormone. The resulting low levels of thyroid hormone lead to the development of a wide array of possible symptoms.
Symptoms may initially be mild and hard to notice. But over time, they become increasingly apparent. In general, the disease involves a slow and progressive destruction of the thyroid gland. However, there may be intermittent periods during which symptoms change as the thyroid seems to regain function, even causing temporary hyperactive thyroid.
While the exact cause is unknown, genetic factors appear to play a role in developing Hashimoto’s disease. A combination of factors such as age, gender, and other autoimmune or endocrine disorders can also contribute. While there isn’t a whole lot you can do to change your genes, there are actions you can take to remove possible triggers of an autoimmune response. This is key to appropriately managing Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Conventional thyroid medication may improve your thyroid hormone levels and help alleviate your symptoms, but it doesn’t address the true problem – the dysfunction of your immune system. If you can determine what factors are responsible for the autoimmune response, then you can naturally manage the disease by removing these triggers.
Here are six areas to address when you’re looking to reduce the autoimmune response with natural solutions:
There are many nutrients that are essential for the normal function of the thyroid and immune system. When you are deficient in these nutrients, you may be more prone to develop autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s disease.
When choosing an iron supplement, note that ferrous bis-glycinate is a form that tends to be more absorbable and less constipating than other iron pills. If you take thyroid medication, do not ingest an iron supplement within two hours of taking it, as iron may interfere with the absorption of the medication.
You can also boost your iron levels through dietary intake with foods like red meats, poultry, beans, and dark green, leafy vegetables. But keep in mind that iron from plant sources is not as absorbable as that from animals. Vitamin C can help increase the absorption of iron in that case.
Decreasing the amount of inflammation in the body is the goal of a Hashimoto’s treatment plan. So it makes sense to remove those foods from your diet that may be causing inflammation. The foods to which a person may be sensitive differs between individuals, but the following foods tend to be the most inflammatory:
Your healthcare provider can order a blood test for food allergies. You can use this information to steer away from foods for which you demonstrate a sensitivity. However, you may also choose to figure out your food sensitivities on your own by going through an elimination/provocation diet (EPD).
To perform an EPD, you eliminate one food category from your diet for three weeks. Then you add the food back into your diet for three days, assessing your reaction. Look for any symptoms of food sensitivity like bloating, fatigue, headache, joint pain, loose stools, constipation, insomnia, or skin changes.
Food categories you may want to test include:
A faster method of implementing an EPD is to eliminate all of these food categories from your diet for three weeks. Then, re-introduce each category one at a time every 3 days. If no symptoms occur when you re-introduce a food, then you can leave it in your diet. If symptoms do appear, then remove the food again.
About 70-80% of the cells of the immune system reside in the gut. So when you improve your gut function, you optimize your immune function as well.
Most Hashimoto’s patients have low levels of stomach acid. The gut does not absorb nutrients as well when stomach acid levels are low. Bacteria and other microbes are also able to survive more easily when they pass through the stomach in a less acidic environment. This allows them to take hold elsewhere in the body and cause an infection.
Betaine HCl (hydrochloride) is a supplement that can help boost stomach acid to optimal levels. It should be taken with the digestive enzyme pepsin at the end of a protein-rich meal. This assists the body in breaking down proteins more completely so that they don’t act as an immune trigger as well.
There is an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the gut of many Hashimoto’s patients. This generally occurs because a deficiency of thyroid hormone causes decreased gut motility. By taking a quality probiotic, you can restore the good bacteria to a level that keeps the bad bacteria under control.
There are two possible explanations for how an infection may cause the immune system to attack the thyroid:
Infections most commonly linked with Hashimoto’s include candida, mycoplasma, and Epstein-Barr Virus. It is worthwhile to check for infections anywhere in the body and treat them appropriately.
When you are under stress, your adrenal glands release cortisol, which signals a decrease in thyroid hormone production. So every treatment plan for Hashimoto’s disease should include stress management activities like yoga, meditation, or breathing exercises.
Adaptogens are natural substances that can also help you appropriately deal with stress. An adaptogen has the ability to boost a weakened immune system as well as calm down an overactive response. So it helps your body adapt to stress in whatever way is appropriate to normalize your body’s function. Examples of adaptogens include reishi, eleuthero, Schisandra, and ashwagandha.
There are many toxic chemicals in the environment that can inflict damage on your body in so many ways – causing inflammation, disrupting your hormones, and increasing your risk for an autoimmune response. It’s difficult to avoid them all. But there are a few actions you can take to reduce their impact on your thyroid health:
While some individuals may not be able to wean off of their thyroid medication fully, there are certainly many natural ways to manage Hashimoto’s disease that can help you feel better, if not decrease your medication dose. Whenever possible, find a health practitioner with expertise in both natural treatment and conventional medicine for thyroid conditions. Always consult your healthcare provider before changing your medication dose or adding a supplement.
References:
By Dr. Venus Ramos, M.D.
