Been given a diagnosis or been suffering for a while?
Have a read of what naturopathy can do and what you can also do to support your health!
What is Hashimoto’s Disease?
Otherwise known as lymphocytic thyroiditis.
Hashimoto's is an autoimmune condition where your own thyroid cells are gradually destroyed by autoantibodies (parts of our own immune system). The antibodies bind to the thyroid and prevent manufacture of sufficient levels of thyroid hormone causing death to those cells.
You can check to see if you have Hashimoto’s by a blood screening test to check if any thyroid autoantibodies (TPO antibodies) are present.
Symptoms of Hashimoto’s
Symptoms are identical to hypothyroidism (which is why the blood screening is imperative):
- fatigue, lethargy and weakness
- fluid retention, weight gain and difficulty losing weight
- puffy and pale face
- increased sensitivity to cold and low body temperature
- depression
- poor attention span
- headaches or migraines
- dry, flaky skin
- slow healing wounds
- hair loss
- lowered resistance to infection
- food sensitivities
- menstrual changes
- impaired fertility
- miscarriages
- low libido
- breathlessness
- joint and muscle pain
- constipation
- decreased sweating
- slowed heart rate
- high cholesterol
- enlarged thyroid (goitre)
What is the difference between Hashimoto's and Hypothyroidism?
From a naturopaths perspective, we treat the condition slightly differently. If the immune system is involved (like with Hashimoto's), we look at supporting the immune system which we may not look at with hypothyroidism.
Naturopaths like to treat the root cause of a condition, so it is important to know what happened to your thyroid to create under activity.
How can Naturopathy help?
As a naturopath, we support autoimmune disease using a multi-faceted approach:
- regulate immune function
- reduce chemical overload and impaired detoxification
- support mood changes
- support thyroid function
- regulate gut function and prevention of leaky gut (more on this in posts to come)
- lowering inflammation
- treat symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue and brain fog
What can you do to support Hashimoto’s yourself:
- reduce gluten and dairy consumption as these can be inflammatory to our digestive tracts
- ensure you are getting enough sleep (minimum of 7 hours a night)
- exercise regularly, it can be as simple as a walk which can support mood and gut function
- lower stress levels - do something that can calm you on a regular basis. See my post on stress for ideas on how to lower your stress levels
- increase your fruits and vegetables intake - fruits and veggies contain antioxidants which can support a removal of toxic metabolites from your body. The fibre is also beneficial for your digestion.
If you would like to have a chat about your Hashimoto's diagnosis, please be in touch.