Understanding Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
I recently came across this question regardind Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: “If Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid gland then how come thyroid hormone production needs to be leveled off instead of taking care of the autoimmune disease.”
That question almost made sense to me and after conducting a bit research on Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, I could only logically come up with the following answer:
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune thyroid disease that attacks the thyroid gland. When the body’s immune system attacks the thyroid, it damages the thyroid gland. When the thyroid gland is damaged it’s not able to properly produce the t3 and t4 thyroid hormones at levels that the body requires to keep your metabolism up to speed. When this happens you suffer from hypothyroidism brought on by Hashimoto’s autoimmune disease.
The Doctor’s Explanation of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
The way that it was explained to me by the doctor who had overseen my Hashimoto’s thyroiditis during my second pregnancy was:
• Your body’s immune system is and has been attacking your thyroid gland.
• This happens because your immune system views your thyroid gland as a foreign object that is dangerous to your health and well being.
• Over time your immune system starts to destroy and kill off your thyroid gland until it eventually shrivels up and dies.
• The damage done to the thyroid gland is not reversible.
• With each level of damage, the thyroid gland becomes less and less capable of producing the thyroid hormone that your body needs to survive.
In my opinion, it’s this list of points that gives me the most logical answer to the question: “If Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid gland then how come thyroid hormone production needs to be leveled off instead of the autoimmune disease?”
I’m all for curing autoimmune diseases, if that’s a medical possibility at this point. (I don’t know because I’ve never researched it.) But if it is possible then I’m definitely all for it.
Autoimmune disease and damage to your thyroid gland
The thing about an autoimmune disease like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is that symptoms of your underactive thyroid show up after the damage to your thyroid gland has already been done. The damage is to a point where the thyroid gland is incapable of producing the levels of thyroid hormone that the body requires. This is why there is a need to level those thyroid hormones with thyroid medications like Synthroid and Levothyroxine.
I think that it’s probably logical at this point to say, again if it is a medical possibility, that fixing an autoimmune disease like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis might aid in preventing further damage to the thyroid gland but it is not going to eliminate the need for thyroid hormone replacement medication. Thyroid medications regulate necessary thyroid hormone levels that your body no longer produces when you have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.
My healthcare provider had me tested for food sensitivities once she discovered the Hashimoto’s. And we found some to the usual suspect – gluten and dairy. She thinks bringing those foods into my body sets off the autoimmune response. So, changing my food might help cut back on the damage.
That’s an interesting concept Kristie. It’s one that I haven’t heard before. Please stop back and let us know how things are working out for you with these changes.
I was also tested for food sensitivities when I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, and the results were the usual suspects also-dairy, yeast, and eggs. The elimination of these foods has been challenging, but I find that in doing so, I feel much better, and my asthma and allergies have been less troublesome as well.
I was just diagnosed today with Hashimoto’s disease, but I also have fibromyalgia and I have asthma and allergies and I wonder if they are all related? I an going to try refraining from dairy, yeast as eggs as was noted by Shannon. I will see what happens. Be back soon.
At this point there isn’t any clear medical evidence that actually connects all of these autoimmune diseases other than the fact that they are all autoimmune diseases. There does however seem to be much internet chatter about the onset of statistical research being collected where common symptoms among patients and these autoimmune diseases are concerned. From what I’ve seen most of this research is being conducted in other parts of the world such as Europe. Still it shows hope that some day someone will begin to focusing on why our own immune systems turn on us and possibly a cure for that.
I am diagnosed with “Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis” too. You can try putting ice bags round your neck daily to reduce the swelling. This might not cure the root of the problem, but it eases the swelling. However, now i am going through bad depression which is one of the symptoms of hypothyroid.
Mad,
Are you under a doctors care and taking your medication daily and as directed? This should ease the depression some!
I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s at the age of 6/7 when my grandma notes my enlarged gland in my neck. I have been taking synthroid/ Levothyroxine for 11 years now (I’m currently 18) I get my blood drawn every 6 months and get my thyroid measured. It has not grown at all, neither has it shrank. Awhile ago.I stopped taking my medice for a couple of months, lets just say my doctor wasn’t happy, but my levels were still normal. I have also been overweight since i was little (currently 208) I can’t remember ever being tested for food sensitivity, I will have to talk to my doctor about that. I have been wanting to changing to a more health, natural diet recently too, but I need to talk to my doctor
Rachael,
You definitely shouldn’t stop taking your medication. Did the doctor have an explanation for you as to why your levels were still normal? Healthier food really just means more of a focus on fresh fruits and veggies and less packaged foods.