What Is Hashimoto’s Disease?

Let me start this article by clarifying that I am not a medical professional. I can’t treat or diagnose anyone’s disease; my opinions are mine. I’m simply writing about what I personally know about the disease and the avenues I’ve researched and tried to heal myself. It’s difficult not to feel alone and misunderstood with this disease, so if this article helps just one person, my heart will be happy.

Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disorder. With autoimmune disorders, the immune system sees healthy tissue and attacks. Hashimoto’s is where the thyroid is seen as a threat and attacked, destroying hormone-producing cells. When people have a reduction in hormone production, it’s called hypothyroidism. Symptoms associated with hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s disease include the following:

• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Sore joints
• Temperature sensitivity
• Mental illnesses

Some people have hypothyroidism without the autoimmune part. Some people have Hashimoto’s without symptoms or results that show on blood tests. Each person is different, and discussing concerns with a doctor is important. If they won’t listen to you, find another one. Keep reading to learn more about Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.

What Is the Thyroid and What Does It Do?

The thyroid is a little butterfly-shaped endocrine gland in the neck. It is responsible for producing hormones that impact many areas of the body. The thyroid is a critical factor in growth, development, metabolism, and energy. A thyroid that doesn’t work properly can make the entire body function incorrectly.

Hashimoto’s Symptoms:

People with Hashimoto’s have varying symptoms. Some suffer from several, some suffer from none. It all depends on how badly the thyroid has been damaged from the autoimmune attacks. The decline in thyroid production causes the following:

• Fatigue
• Constipation
• Depression and anxiety
• Joint pain and stiffness
• Sensitivity to cold
• Dry skin
• Sluggishness
• Require more sleep
• Muscle aches and tenderness
• Muscle weakness and stiffness
• Irregular or heavy periods
• Problems focusing or remembering
• Swollen thyroid gland
• Brittle nails
• Swollen face
• Enlarged tongue
• Weight gain
• Thinning hair
• Slowed heart rate

Many of these symptoms are related to other diseases and disorders. Discussing your symptoms with a doctor and running the proper tests if you believe you have a thyroid disorder is essential. Learn more about Hashimoto’s disease at https://www.thyroid.org/hashimotos-thyroiditis/.

Hashimoto’s Treatment:

The most common treatment for Hashimoto’s disease is hormone replacement therapy. Many medications provide this, including Levothyroxine, Synthroid, Armour Thyroid, and UNITHROID. However, many doctors will not prescribe medicines unless the blood levels indicate the need. This means many people suffer from Hashimoto’s symptoms without any regulation.

Though it’s not as widely discussed, diet can greatly impact the symptoms of Hashimoto’s. Some foods are seen as invaders, making the immune response much stronger and damaging the thyroid more. Many people who have Hashimoto’s find relief from symptoms when going gluten-free and dairy-free.

Diet and lifestyle changes also help to reduce the risk of comorbidities associated with Hashimotos, including additional autoimmune disorders.

How Does Hashimoto’s Affect Your Life?

Personally, Hashimoto’s has impacted almost every single area of my life. I’ve had this disease since I was five years old but didn’t know until 2019 when my daughter’s pediatric endocrinologist told me that all children diagnosed with hypothyroidism have the autoimmune kind.

Uhhh, what?

Anyway, I demanded my then doctor test me for the antibodies. They reluctantly did and told me I didn’t need to do anything differently to treat it. Again…uhhh, what?

I began researching and discovered so many things weird about my body or that have happened to me were likely related to the disease. The random ringing in my ears? Dry skin? The pulsing pain deep in my bone I feel when someone pokes me? The need for daily naps? The irregular periods? All were likely related. I can’t prove it, but after researching and joining a ton of support groups, I believe it’s all caused by Hashimoto’s.

Does Hashimoto’s Disease Ever Go Away?

Hashimoto’s disease can’t be cured or reversed. There have been stories of people who claim to put it into remission through diet and different things, but I don’t personally know of anyone who has achieved this. I don’t know how common it is to do that. Hashimoto’s is managed and controlled through medication, diet, and lifestyle changes.

What Causes Hashimoto’s Disease?

Studies aren’t completely clear about what causes the immune system to attack the thyroid. Genetics and environmental factors appear to be the biggest causes. Genetics means it’s passed through families. Environmental factors that may trigger Hashimoto’s include stress, infections, or exposure to radiation.

Risk Factors Associated With Hashimoto Autoimmune Disease

Hashimoto’s is most commonly found in middle-aged women. People with other autoimmune disorders, who have family members with the disease, and who eat too much iodine in their diets are all at a greater risk for developing it. Some women develop Hashimoto’s after pregnancy due to hormonal shifts.

Potential Complications With Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis:

When Hashimoto’s is untreated, it damages the thyroid. This can lead to a lot of complications, including:

• A goiter (enlarged thyroid)
• Heart problems
• Mental health issues
• Poor pregnancy outcomes
• Myxedema
• Sexual or reproductive dysfunction

It’s critical to regularly test your levels if you have the disease and keep tabs on how it progresses. If you suspect you have Hashimoto’s or believe you are at risk, I strongly encourage you to speak to a medical professional about your concerns.

Thank you for reading about Hashimoto’s disease! If you live with Hashimoto’s, I invite you to follow this publication. We’re in this together!

Visit my website for books and writing samples. Check out my Amazon storefront for products I use or consume to help with my Hashimoto’s flares. This is an affiliate link, meaning I will make a small commission on any purchases at no extra cost to you.