Hashimoto’s
To put it simply, Hashimoto’s is when your body is attacking your own thyroid. This can be one of the most common factors for hypothyroidism.
Hashimoto’s can cause fatigue, hair loss, weight gain, puffy face, eye pain, joint pain, heavy or irregular menses, extreme exhaustion, cholesterol imbalances, low libido, etc.
Most doctors and researchers aren’t sure why the body likes to attack the thyroid. Sometimes it’s genetic and other times it follows along with individuals who already have an autoimmune disease, certain liver conditions, B12 deficiency, gluten sensitivity, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, etc.
Blood Tests Can Determine if You Have Hashimoto’s
Once we have blood tests done we look at TSH, Free T3, Free T4, TPO Antibody, Thyroglobulin Antibody, ESR, CRP, Vitamin D, and Reverse T3.
- TSH-Thyroid Stimulating Hormone is produced from the brain and signals down to the thyroid to make thyroid hormone T3 and T4
- Free T4 is produced from the thyroid gland. It isn’t active, but it does convert to active T3.
- Free T3 is made from the conversion of T4. T3 is the only active hormone that your thyroid produces.
- Anti TPO Antibody - This checks to see if your body is attacking your thyroid gland. When your body attacks an organ antibodies are produced against that organ.
- Thyroglobulin Antibody - This test is similar to Anti TPO Antibody test. This also shows if the body is attacking your thyroid as well
- ESR - This test measures for inflammation in the body
- CRP - C-reactive protein- this also measures inflammation in the body.
- Vitamin D - If your vitamin D levels are low you could have Hashimoto’s. There is a correlation between high antibodies if vitamin D is low.
- Reverse T3 - This measures to see if your T4 is converting to T3. It will be high if it isn’t converting.
Treating Patients with Hashimoto’s
Some treatments that can help reduce your antibody count are dietary changes, thyroid hormone, low dose naltrexone, Ozone IV Yherapy, Vitamin D, supplements, etc.
- Dietary Changes- eating gluten free, complex carbs, and whole foods is the best way to go.
- Thyroid hormones- you may have to be on a thyroid medication to help stabilized your thyroid
- Low Dose Naltrexone known as LDN-is used to decrease inflammation and antibodies. This has been used to help people get off opioids as well. Talk to your doctor before starting LDN is you are on opioids
- Ozone IV Therapy- Autohem ozone has been used for over 50 years in Europe. Ozone has been shown to reset the immune system, decrease inflammation, help reduce brain fog, increase energy, and balance out hormones. We take your blood out put it in an IV bag with saline infuse ozone into the bag and then we put the ozonated blood back into your body. I have seen ozone therapy take my patients from a high anti TPO antibody count down to normal or manageable anti TPO antibody count.
- Vitamin D- most people with thyroid issue are low in vitamin D. Vitamin D helps to regulate the immune system, help decrease depression, lift people out of brain fog, and helps build bone.
- Supplements-as a naturopathic doctor I treat the individual not the symptoms supplements or homeopathics are prescribed per individual on what are the right supplements for them.
Schedule an Appointment
If you have tried everything and feel you haven’t gotten anywhere with your Hashimoto’s let us help.
623-252-0376Schedule Appointment Online