Fatigue? Weight Gain? Thinning Hair? It Could Be Hashimoto’s & This Is What To Do About It
Written by: Sheree Trask
Hashimoto’s is a form of chronic inflammation that can damage the thyroid, inhibiting its ability to produce hormones. Roughly 90% of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) begins with Hashimoto’s. Common symptoms are fatigue, weight gain or difficulty losing weight, dry and thinning hair, constipation and joint and muscle pain. Depression and foggy thinking can also be signs of low thyroid function.
Hashimoto’s affects 1-2% of people in the United States, with the majority being women. It’s thought to be the result of genetic and environmental factors. Hashimoto’s often appears in adulthood, with signs and symptoms developing gradually over time.
What many don’t realize is that this is an autoimmune condition, whereas the immune system begins attacking itself. In the case of “hashi’s”, your immune system begins attacking your thyroid specifically. If left untreated, it can become full blown hypothyroidism, which can pose greater problems long-term.
As someone living with hashimoto’s and keeping it in remission without medication, I can personally attest to the importance of fueling your body with proper nutrition, moving daily and cultivating a positive internal and external environment.
In addition to the standard tests for thyroid that your doctor will likely run, which are: TSH and T4, it’s important to request a comprehensive panel to get a complete picture, including: T3, Reverse T3, TPOAb, TgAb, TRAb, TSI, Iron, Ferritin, TIBC (total iron binding capacity), Vitamin D, Vitamin B12. Additionally, doing an adrenal saliva cortisol test is a great idea, since your adrenal glands are part of the endocrine system along with your thyroid and hormones. Remember, we don’t work in pieces – we are one system.
While diagnosis may be scary, you have the power to reverse this condition by supporting your immune and endocrine systems using food as medicine, positive mindset and movement, which aid in decreasing inflammation and improving your overall health. Remember, you are not your diagnosis. Your symptoms are merely your bodies way of showing you that you’re out of balance. Creating balance from within helps to ward off disease and bring you back to a healthy state of homeostasis.