Hashimoto’s disease is a common cause of hypOthyroidism (underactive thyroid). It is an autoimmune condition as immune system cells attack the thyroid gland, causing inflammation. This reduces the thyroid’s ability to make hormones. The condition is also called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis or autoimmune thyroiditis.
Symptoms include –
- Constant fatigue
- Feeling the cold
- Constipation
- Swollen face
- Dry, coarsened skin
- Dry hair that is prone to breakage, hair loss
- Voice changes, such as persistent hoarseness
- Fluid retention (oedema)
- Sudden weight gain that cannot be explained by dietary or lifestyle changes
- High blood cholesterol
- Stiff and tender joints, particularly in the hands, feet and knees
- Cognitive changes, such as depression or forgetfulness
- Enlargement of the thyroid gland (goitre)
- In women, heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia).
Treatment includes-
- Omega 3 fatty acids
- Eat Iodine rich foods like seaweed, eggs, spirulina and raw milk
- Avoid chlorine and fluoride. Drink filtered water
- Avoid Bromines in baked goods, medications, plastics and soft drinks
- Reduce or better still avoid iodised salt
- Cook the Brassica family of veggies to reduce goitrogens
- Use chemical free cosmetics and cleaning products
- Use herbal medicine such as Bladderwrack, plus adrenal herbs like Withania, Licorice, Rhodiola and Ginseng
- Deal with any underlying stress
- Exercise is very important
- Eats foods high in selenium – 3-4 Brazil nuts a day.
- Have you Vitamin D levels checked and supplement if necessary
- Eat a mostly organic diet where possible
- Detox regularly – infra red sauna, chlorella, body scrubs, epsom salts baths, green smoothies, veggie juices, liver herbs
- Check you thyroid hormones yearly.
