A recent research wormhole lead me to discovering a plethora of reasons as to why I may actually have a problem with my thyroid function. In woman&home’s November print issue, I chatted to one woman who discovered she had an autoimmune disease that had been impacting her thyroid function her entire life long.
Then I dug a little deeper, and found that this autoimmune disease, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, is more common than one would think.
The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland that rests at the base of the neck. The hormones that a healthy thyroid produces (namely being T3 and T4) are used by every cell and organ in the human body.
When someone has hypothyroidism, this means that their thyroid is not producing these T3 and T4 hormones sufficiently. This is where it becomes interesting. 95% of patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism, actually have Hashimoto’s Autoimmune Disease. One small thyroid antibody test is what differentiates one from the other.
To find out more about this autoimmune dysfunction, I sat down with expert nutritionist Michelle Mace from Total Wellness. Our conversation spans everything from the signs and symptoms of the autoimmune disease, to how to approach your GP for the correct testing. Here’s the 101 on Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, with food medicine expert Michelle Mace:
What is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?
This is an autoimmune disease that affects thyroid function. When you’re tested for Hashimoto’s, your GP will look at your thyroid antibody count to determine whether or not you may have Hashimoto’s.
Two tests are done for this, the TPO test which looks at thyroid antibody levels and TGAB test, which looks at thyroid globulin levels. If you have high levels in one or both, you’re likely to have Hashimoto’s. If it’s left undiagnosed and untreated, it can impact your overall health.
What are signs and symptoms of Hashimoto’s to look out for?
The first important thing to note about Hashimoto’s is that it’s genetic, which means the gene can be inherited from anyone in your family. If you have a family member who has already been diagnosed, this is your first flag to get tested.
The signs and symptoms of Hashimoto’s are quite varied because the T3 and T4 hormones produced by the thyroid are used in every cell and organ in the body. Patients with Hashimoto’s usually experience symptoms like feeling tired, sluggish, weak muscles, excessive weight gain, brain frog, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, depression, feeling cold and even hair loss. The symptoms aren’t limited to those, though – digestive issues like diarrhoea, constipation and heartburn are also symptoms.
Because the signs to look out for are so varied, it’s very important to receive the correct testing for Hashimoto’s.
How and where to get tested?
The best process to go about is have a blood test done with your GP. Ask your GP to to test your thyroid antibody levels and thyroid globulin levels. Usually, if both of those are high, the patient has Hashimoto’s. 95% of patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism are actually misdiagnosed because they never got the correct hormonal testing. Antibody testing is NB!
Can Hashimoto’s be managed through a good diet and active lifestyle?
All autoimmune diseases come with excessively high levels of inflammation in the body, which means that tissue in the body is red and inflamed. If you’ve got inflammation affecting the skin – it’s eczema, if it’s in your joints, it’s arthritis. With Hashimoto’s, that inflammation is happening in the thyroid. Often patience will complain about a ‘lumpy’ feeling in the throat that makes it difficult to swallow – this is inflammation!
The good news is, 80% of inflammation in the body can be reduced just by what you eat. It’s not as simple as cutting out certain foods, though. It’s also what you add back in. At my practice, I run various nutritional programs meant for patients with autoimmune diseases, Hashimoto’s being one of them. I know for certain that eating the correct diet, keeping your gut microbiome healthy, and maintaining an active lifestyle are all great ways to manage Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis if you do have it.
I encourage everyone who suspects they may have a thyroid issue to please, get your blood tests done! Speak to your GP about the correct testing for Hashimoto’s specifically and work with specialists who can guide you along the best dietary and lifestyle decisions if you are diagnosed positively.
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Featured image: Michelle Mace
