The Right Nutrition for Hashimoto’s Disease
Hashimoto’s disease is a condition that people have where the immune system attacks the thyroid, which is a small gland at the base of the neck. This gland is part of the endocrine system, which creates hormones that systematize the body’s processes. Hashimoto’s disease leads to inflammation known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, leading to an underactive thyroid gland. Hashimoto’s disease is the leading cause of hypothyroidism in the US and mostly affects middle-aged women.
Some symptoms of Hashimoto’s disease include fatigue, constipation, sensitivity to cold, hoarse voice, weight gain, depression, and muscle weakness. It is important to see a doctor if you experience one or several of these symptoms together to have a thyroid check.
Doctors are unsure what causes the immune system to attack the thyroid gland. Some researchers believe that a virus or a set of bacteria may trigger the response, but others believe it may be due to a genetic flaw. There may be a combination of factors that determine one’s risk of this disease, including genes, gender, and age. Also, having a comorbid autoimmune disease such as lupus, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, increases your likelihood of developing Hashimoto’s disease.
There is not a cure for Hashimoto’s disease, but using medication can regulate hormone levels, which will help restore normal metabolism. There are pills available to help treat the disease, which can be determined by the severity of the disease. Once treatment is started, a thyroid-stimulating hormone lab tests done to monitor thyroid function and to make sure the medication is helping.
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