Hashimoto is a common malfunction of the thyroid gland. It leads to hypothyroidism, which affects 20% of cases in the U.S. It's more common than hyperthyroidism, accounting for nearly 40% of all illnesses

There doesn’t seem to be one clear cause for Hashimoto's. But people believe that certain environmental factors can make you more vulnerable, like poor diets, stress, infections, and toxins.

Hashimoto's disease is a debilitating autoimmune condition, that presents with symptoms including pain, porphyria, and myalgia. Unfortunately though, traditional medicine can only offer band aid solutions - by prescribing thyroid medication. However this will not heal the underlying auto immune process

Although, Functional Medicine is somewhat different than what you might be familiar with. With this, it becomes very easy for patients to identify the problem at an earlier stage; which can't really be said for Hashimoto's disease.

In this post, we will discuss what Hashimoto's disease? How functional medicine differs from conventional medicine in terms of diagnosis and treatment for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and more. Hashimoto’s is a common health condition that can be effectively treated once you consult a professional.

 

 

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What is Hashimoto's disease?

The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped endocrine organ in your neck. The thyroid gland produces different hormones called thyroxine or TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone).

These thyroid hormones are essential for regulating metabolism, or the speed at which you burn calories. Consequently, they regulate various body functions as well as all of your important bodily processes.

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis affects the whole body by attacking cell tissue, including that of the thyroid gland. This leads to abnormalities within this gland which lead to an autoimmune condition where the thyroid swells.

Hashimoto's Disease is a largely genetic condition that can be exacerbated by certain environmental factors such as radiation, smoking cigarettes, a bad diet & high levels of stress. If you have a family history this should be one of your top considerations.

 

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Symptoms of Hashimoto's disease

Hashimoto's disease is slow to develop, so it's often unnoticed until very advanced stages. The effects are usually irreversible, so it's best to have regular medical exams for it. Studies show that Hashimoto's disease and underactive thyroid have some similar symptoms.

Symptoms of Hashimoto's Disease

• Obesity can lead to a variety of specific signs and symptoms and possible complications. The doctors and nurses in the medical profession may be able to provide you with advice on how to combat excess weight.
• Fatigue
• Brain fog
• Constipation
• Hair issues
• Feeling cold
• Mood swings like depression and anxiety
• A common menstrual problem is irregular periods or heavy periods.
• Infertility problems
• Chronic pain, especially in the muscles and joints, is not something to take lightly or ignore. Often times this pain can be eased with the help of certain medications or treatments.
• Dry and rough skin
• Puffy eyes are often caused by allergies, but can also be due to congestion. Depending on the underlying cause, there are ways to treat the problem either topically or by managing it with over-the-counter medications.

Diagnosis of Hashimoto's disease

It's important to diagnose autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto's as early as possible. Blood tests and ultrasounds can help with diagnosis.

The diagnosis for thyroiditis is confirmed by the presence of antibodies to thyrocytes in the patient's blood (anti-TPO antibody)

Both conventional & functional medicine have different approaches to common medical issues. For thyroid function, doctors test for TSH & T4 levels. Hashimoto's thyroid may not show up during these tests, but there are other signs that should be checked for first

With Functional Medicine, a full panel of thyroid tests are done to diagnose Hashimoto's Disease. We test for TSH, T3, T4, Reverse T3 and Thyroid Antibodies among others. Abnormalities in these can help diagnose Hashimoto's Disease.

 

To get started you can click here for a free 15 minute evaluation call.

 

Conventional medicine approach for Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Conventional medical treatment for Hashimoto's is to replace thyroid hormone.

A lot of doctors just treat the symptoms and don't look into the cause. When we're trying to relieve pain, we can stop short and never identify what's making you sick. As a result, the patient develops a sense that their sickness has no resolution.

Medications can go a long way, but it's more helpful to fix the underlying cause of your problem. For instance, if you have an intolerance to gluten, you'll only see any improvements when you stop consuming it entirely.

Functional Medicine Approach For Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Functional medicine is the best way to get healthier. Functional medicine is more than treating symptoms. They treat the root cause of diseases. Book an appointment today if this sounds appealing!

Functional medicine says that autoimmune thyroiditis can be caused by problems with other organs, such as the gut. This is because your body attacks itself due to something else that is wrong.

You may need to pay attention to other parts of your body if you've been seeing a regular doctor for years with no relief.

Functional medicine aims to improve your thyroid health, which can help reduce inflammation. This was done by first identifying the cause of inflammation and then working to improve it.

 

 

One typical approach to Functional Medicine is --

1. Hashimoto's affects many people and the underlying causes can vary from one person to another. The disease can be caused by toxins, viral infections and deficiencies in certain nutrients. For an initial consultation, a Functional Medicine physician is required to examine you and order advanced laboratory testing.
2. We can treat all factors that may be contributing to your inflammation with a Hashimoto's Functional Medicine Plan. We will work with you to develop a customized menu that addresses your needs, such as changes in diet and stress management strategies.
3. Advanced functional medicine testing: I am often asked by patients to request advanced functional medicine tests. They tell me their doctor told them that all their tests are normal. Patients often tell me they still feel terrible and have symptoms. However, advanced functional medicine testing can often reveal serious abnormalities. Problem is, conventional medicine can't test for every condition. Advanced functional medicine testing can help us pinpoint the problem and develop a plan for solving it.
4. This guide will help you to recover from Hashimoto's. Patients are often surprised by how quickly they overcome their condition when they graduate. I've never heard anyone tell me that patients can manage their condition on their own. According to them, once you have Hashimoto's you will continue to see your doctor for life. Functional medicine teaches you how to prevent your condition from returning.

This revolutionary approach to Hashimoto's is revolutionary because it treats the root cause and reverses the disease. This treatment ensures you are symptom-free for your entire life.

Click here to book a free 15 minute evaluation call with Dr. Gupta.

 

Summary

All of this being said, your first step should be to see a Functional medicine doctor who specializes in Thyroid healing in Northern Virginia. Your doctor will talk with you about your concerns and create a customized treatment plan.

Online consultations are now available with Dr. Gupta for anyone in Northern Virginia, who is interested in holistic health and working with a licensed doctor. Start with a 15-minute evaluation call to see if you are a good match.

 

To get started you can click here for a free 15 minute evaluation call.