Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition that affects 1 in 8 women. Why is it a cause for concern? If left untreated it can have catastrophic implications. Undiagnosed Hashimoto’s can cause symptoms that can include depression, increased risk in heart disease, high risk of birth defects, goiter, infertility, and exhaustion. For more symptoms see below.
Diagnosis is a simple blood test but is very rarely done. If a patient asks their conventional practitioner to check for Hashimoto’s the response is typically that “it doesn’t change the treatment so I am not running the test”. This is true, conventional medicine only has synthetic T4 (synthroid and eltroxin) to treat hypothyroid. This can be helpful in frank hypothyroidism but not in Hashimoto’s. The autoimmune cause of Hashimoto’s is completely dismissed. I am seeing, diagnosing and treating this condition quite frequently and it is so sad to see these patients suffer for several years before getting some answers and proper treatment.
Since it is an autoimmune disease it can be hereditary. Some of my patients are bringing their mothers and aunts because they had all been diagnosed hypothyroid but not screened for Hashimoto’s.
If you have been experiencing any symptoms listed, difficulty conceiving, have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, have a family history of autoimmune disease, or have Celiac disease you should be screened.
Don’t accept that it’s all in your head….it’s physiology that needs to be supported and corrected!
