What is Hashimoto’s?
It is an autoimmune condition of hypothyroidism (low thyroid function). Around 850000 Aussies live with this condition and most of them females (1)
What does it mean to have Hashimotos’s?
Having thyroid autoimmunity means that there are antibodies in the blood that are sabotaging the thyroid gland. Whether hypothyroidism is due to Hashimoto’s or from iodine deficiency (the cause of the other 10 percent of hypothyroid cases), the telltale symptoms are the same: unwarranted fatigue (even after a full night’s rest), difficulty losing weight, gaining weight with no change in diet or exercise, hair loss and loss of hair luster, difficulty getting and staying warm, constipation, depression, brain fog, fluid retention (edema), poor ankle reflexes, and dry skin. Click the link for a more detailed list of symptoms.
A significant difference between Hashimoto’s and iodine-deficient hypothyroidism is that in cases of Hashimoto’s, some people swing back and forth between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism — or overactive thyroid. So while the diagnosis may be low thyroid function, some experience a “push-pull” and have days where they feel hyperactive, energetic, anxious, and can have heart palpitations. This hyper state is a sign of excess thyroid hormones in the bloodstream due to increased autoimmune attack on the thyroid.
How is Hashimoto’s diagnosed?
Thyroid testing includes a blood test, basal body temperature and thermography.
Check out the basal body temperature procedure.
When it comes to the blood test it’s important to work with an open-minded, functional doctor who isn’t TSH-happy. TSH stands for thyroid stimulating hormone and reveals very little about overall thyroid function. Check out blood work for more information.
Why does this happen?
Well for 10 percent of those with hypothyroidism, they’re simply iodine deficient. That’s an easy fix with diet or supplementation. For those with autoimmunity, it’s more complex. There is a long list of autoimmune conditions, including lupus, multiple sclerosis, Type 1 diabetes, celiac, rheumatoid arthritis — the list goes on. There are differing expert opinions on what has causes autoimmune conditions, is it genetics, or is it environmental? It seems likely that exposure to chemicals, toxins, pesticides, and processed foods has caused our immune cells to become confused and for some of us, to launch an attack on our own bodies.
So what can you do?
Autoimmunity or no autoimmunity, thyroid drugs or no thyroid drugs, there are a bunch of things you can do to jumpstart a sluggish thyroid and start alleviating symptoms. Diet is your first line of defense.
There is no pharmaceutical cure for any autoimmune disease and managing autoimmunity can be multi-faceted. Generally, it’s critical to rethink what you’re eating and to eat whole, unadulterated foods (steer clear of factory-made and factory-farmed food); eat organic as often as possible; supplement wisely; address the stressors in your life; and shield yourself as much as you can from everyday chemicals, including cleaning and bodycare products.
Foods to avoid
Sugar and caffeine, both of which can up the ante on the overproduction of stress hormones — namely adrenaline and cortisol — that can hinder thyroid function. Goitrogens — broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi, rutabaga, and turnips are the heavy-hitters — can also hinder thyroid function by causing a goiter, or enlargement of the thyroid gland. While there is some controversy about the degree to which cooking inactivates goitrogenic compounds, generally, I believe that cooked goitrogens are fine. They’re certainly not deal-breakers. You’ll also hear wildly differing opinions on soy, and my opinion is that it’s fine if it’s fermented (tempeh, for example), in moderation. Being 100 percent gluten free is non-negotiable if you have Hashimoto’s. Because the molecular structure of gluten is almost identical to the molecular structure of thyroid tissue (so weird), ingesting gluten can make the body say, “Invader! Attack! Attack!” and increase the autoimmune assault on the thyroid.
In addition, do not eat a low-carbohydrate diet, which can contribute to brain fog, hair loss, and can inhibit your body temperature regulation. It can also inhibit T3 production and increase Reverse T3, which can block thyroid hormone receptors.
Foods to eat:
- Get protein at each meal. Protein helps boost T3, your active thyroid hormone, and helps convert T4 to T3.
- Get plenty of wholesome, dietary fat. Fat and cholesterol help build proper hormonal pathways.
- Selenium, found primarily in Brazil nuts and sunflower seeds, helps boost T3 production. Zinc, copper, and iron are also important, as is a range of B vitamins, “the anti-stress vitamins.”
- Vitamin D is particularly important, and most people are deficient. Not only does Vitamin D help transport thyroid hormone into our cells and help contribute to proper hormonal pathways, it’s also an immune modulator, meaning that it can help modulate and regulate wayward immune function.
Which exercises should I do?
It’s important to move. For those with more advanced fatigue, walking and yoga are sufficient.
If extremely fatigue, do no exercise during the healing phase, then employ restorative exercise – yoga, tai chi, light pilates, walking, or the biofeedback.
Really punching it out on the treadmill or with high intensity circuts can induce a stress response, which can cause overproduction of adrenaline and cortisol. Cortisol, nicknamed “the belly fat hormone,” then sets up camp around our midsection and also hinders thyroid function. So it’s a vicious cycle
Mind and body connection?
The thyroid gland corresponds with our 5th chakra, the throat chakra, and is between the 6th and 4th chakra, which are the head and heart chakras, respectively. Chakra are energy centers in the body. Our throat chakra is associated with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively. When there is conflict between the head and heart, we can have a thyroid imbalance. The best way to work through this conflict is to journal, meditate, pray, breathe, or practice visualization. Any spiritual practice, including yoga, which was designed to support all of our chakras, will help resolve this imbalance. Life changes may also affect the balance of the thyroid.