Hashimoto’s Help in Dallas
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, also known as Hashimoto’s disease; autoimmune thyroiditis; or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is an autoimmune condition that negatively affects thyroid function. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the leading cause of hypothyroidism, affecting about 5% of the American population, with women being much more susceptible to having the condition than men.
With Hashimoto’s disease, which is an autoimmune disorder, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, causing inflammation of tissues and their destruction. This damage impairs the thyroid’s ability to produce and convert hormones, leading to many symptoms and health challenges.
Hyperthyroidism & Hypothyroidism Symptoms
Initially, Hashimoto’s can present as hyperthyroidism, with people experiencing symptoms such as increased appetite, heart palpitations, diarrhea, anxiety, and insomnia. As the disease progresses, however, it often shifts towards hypothyroidism (where it’s under-functioning), characterized by the following symptoms:
- A slower heartbeat
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Constipation
- Depression
- Brittle nails
- Thinning of hair, including the outer third of the eyebrows
- Dry skin
- Menstrual cycle issues
- Infertility
Conventional medical practices often overlook the comprehensive thyroid panel needed to accurately diagnose this condition, focusing on limited lab markers.
Common Triggers
A lot of the triggers that play a role in the development of Hashimoto’s include vitamin and mineral deficiencies such as selenium, zinc, B vitamins and fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A. Sometimes people ingest excessive amounts of iodine, whether through supplements, seafood or seaweed or iodized salt which can impact thyroid antibodies. Other triggers include leaky gut or intestinal permeability and environmental toxins. Those include chemicals that are in personal care and beauty products and cleaning products. Stress is another big trigger.
The Importance of Taking a Holistic Approach
If you suspect you might be suffering from Hashimoto’s or have been experiencing unresolved thyroid-related symptoms, it’s essential to seek a healthcare provider like Gabrielle Grandell, as she takes a holistic approach.
One key trigger of autoimmunity is a phenomenon known as molecular mimicry. This is why Gabrielle recommends that clients with Hashimoto’s or other autoimmune conditions eliminate gluten from their diets. The proteins found in gluten—and occasionally in other foods like dairy—are often perceived by the immune system as similar to thyroid tissue, leading to an attack on these tissues. The good news is that removing these potential triggers from your diet stops your immune system from identifying them as threats.
My approach involves conducting a comprehensive thyroid panel through bloodwork. This allows us to identify any antibody activity and assess the active form of thyroid hormone and its conversion process.”
Gabrielle
In addition to looking at bloodwork, a conversation about nutrition, gut health and lifestyle will need to be had. By examining the complete picture, she can help you manage your condition through a tailored nutritional lifestyle approach to restore balance.
Gabrielle can facilitate a full thyroid panel either at her office lab, mail you a kit to have done at a local lab in your area or guide you on the markers to request from your doctor if they’re willing to participate. Once Gabrielle has these results, she can review them with you and then design a plan involving nutrition, lifestyle modifications, and supplements to support your thyroid health.
Get on the Healing Path Today
If you are curious that you may have Hashimoto’s or have been diagnosed with it or with hyper or hypothyroidism and are looking for a natural way to address the condition, contact Gabrielle today to schedule an appointment.
