Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis and Hashimoto’s disease, is an autoimmune disease in which the thyroid gland is gradually destroyed. Having other autoimmune diseases is a risk factor to develop Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and the opposite is also true. Autoimmune diseases most commonly associated to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis include celiac disease, type 1 diabetes, vitiligo, and alopecia.
Signs and Symptoms
There are many symptoms that are attributed to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or Hashimoto’s disease. The most common symptoms include the following: fatigue, weight gain, pale or puffy face, feeling cold, joint and muscle pain, constipation, dry and thinning hair, heavy menstrual flow or irregular periods, depression, panic disorder, a slowed heart rate, and problems getting pregnant and maintaining pregnancy.
Hashimoto’s disease is about seven times more common in women than in men. It can occur in teens and young women, but more commonly appears in middle age, particularly for men. People who develop Hashimoto’s disease often have family members who have thyroid or other autoimmune diseases, and sometimes have other autoimmune diseases themselves.
What Causes Thyroid Disease?
Once again, this is another autoimmune disease that has many of the same underlying factors as every other autoimmune illness. The triggers are almost always the same but manifest differently depending on the individuals genetics along with other factors. The underlying conditions we look into extensively are:
- Leaky Gut
- Chronic Infections
- Food Sensitivities
- Toxicity