Hashimoto disease: symptoms & diet

Very often we hear people talk about the thyroid, the health problems that arise when it is dysregulated and the strange term Hashimoto!

But what exactly is Hashimoto, which symptoms show that something is wrong and how can diet help?

What is Hashimoto?

Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disorder where our own immune system attacks the cells of the thyroid gland. The result is that the thyroid is gradually destroyed and unable to produce its hormones properly. Doing so can lead to hypothyroidism (1).

Additionally, the observation that 9 out of 10 cases of Hashimoto’s occurs in women is impressive!

Symptoms

Since the thyroid produces hormones that control many functions of the body and the way energy is distributed, when it is dysregulated, many functions in our body are correspondingly disrupted.

Something similar happens in the case of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. As a result our metabolism becomes slower, our rhythms drop, and we observe symptoms, such as(2):

1. Fatigue and weakness
2. Drowsiness
3. Weight gain
4. Sensitivity to cold
5. Dry skin and hair
6. Hair loss
7. Melancholy and depression
8. Joint and muscle pain
9. Irregular or prolonged menstruation
10. Memory problems
11. Decreased heart rate
12. Constipation
13. Swelling of the throat, tongue or face
14. Brittle nails
15. Decreased sexual desire

Very often the thyroid becomes enlarged and a swelling appears in the neck, the well-known goiter.

What causes it?

In general, it is not clear what causes the immune system to attack thyroid cells. Causes that are often associated with the onset of the disease are:

• Heredity
• Environmental factors (eg stress, pollution, radiation exposure)

At the same time, risk factors for Hashimoto’s disease are:

• Gender: it is much more common in women
• Age: occurs most often between the ages of 30-50
• Excessive intake of iodine: can trigger the disease in those who are predisposed.
• Pregnancy: sometimes the changes that occur in our immune system during pregnancy are likely to lead to Hashimoto’s after birth.
• Other autoimmune: having another autoimmune disease increases the risk of Hashimoto’s.

How to treat hashimoto

Once the appropriate tests are done (eg Tsh, T3, T4, etc.) your doctor is the one who will determine the treatment that suits your case and which will balance your thyroid hormones. At the same time, a balanced diet, good sleep and stress reduction in everyday life will give your immune system a breath and help the body find its rhythm.

Diet

The role of diet here is not to replace treatment, but to help it succeed!

More specifically, there are foods and nutritional supplements that will help us and others that often interact with our treatment, hindering it!

• Diets that help

Many types of diet have been studied for their effect on disease progression. Among those that seem to have a positive effect are:

1. Gluten-free diet. Often people who have been diagnosed with Hashimoto also have celiac disease, which is why it is recommended by experts to do the necessary tests to detect it. However, the gluten-free diet has been shown to help even people who do not have celiac disease, but only have Hashimoto’s.
2. Anti-inflammatory diet. In most cases, alongside the disease, inflammation also lurks. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, spices and good fats will help.
3. Dairy-free diet. Lactose intolerance is also common in people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. In fact, in a study with 83 women who were ill, 75.9% were diagnosed with lactose intolerance. If you suspect something like this, you can check it and adjust your diet. In such a case, however, you can consume fermented dairy products, e.g. cultured yogurt, kefir.

• Foods to avoid

The truth is that in the case of Hashimoto there is no one-size-fits-all diet, as some changes may benefit some people, and others not. Also, the preparation of the food and the cooking method play an important role.

In general, the following should be avoided:

1. Iodine rich foods (eg seaweed, kelp, spirulina)
2. Processed meats (e.g. cured meats, sausages, etc.)
3. Foods with added sugars
4. Foods rich in animal fat (e.g. red meat)
5. Fried foods
6. Refined grains (eg white flour)
7. Processed foods (eg margarines)

In addition, there are foods that may interact with your treatment, preventing the absorption of the active substance. For this reason, it is recommended to take the medicine at a distance of at least 4 hours from:

• Soy products
• Foods rich in fiber
• Iron supplements, including multivitamins that contain iron
• Calcium supplements
• Supplements with chromium picolinate

Also, coffee should be at least 1 hour away from the treatment.

What about iodine?

Iodine is one of the first elements that comes to mind when we talk about the thyroid. It is related to the normal production of thyroid hormones, but what happens in the case of Hashimoto’s?

People with Hashimoto’s disease may have an increased sensitivity to iodine and foods containing it. That is why it is good to avoid foods rich in it or supplements that contain it, because they are likely to make the situation worse.

Hashimoto supplements

Very often patients with hypothyroidism have many nutritional deficiencies in micronutrients. The most common and those that play an important role in thyroid function are:

1. Selenium
2. Vitamin D
3. Zinc
4. Iron
5. Vitamin B12
6. Magnesium

However, before you start taking them, it is important to check your levels in your body with a blood test to see if you are indeed deficient. Also, consult your doctor to determine the dosage.

Additionally, some experts also use turmeric supplements alongside treatment, primarily for their anti-inflammatory effects and protection of the thyroid from oxidative stress.

Of course, it is very important to increase the foods that are rich in them, e.g. Brazil nuts, fatty fish, lean meat, banana, citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, etc.

Is Hashimoto dangerous?

If we leave Hashimoto’s untreated, the condition can become serious and even life-threatening, leading to significant complications. Such are:

1. Goitre
2. Heart problems (e.g. Tachycardia, hypertension)
3. Depression
4. Myxoedema coma (rare)

If Hashimoto’s is detected in pregnancy, it is important for the pregnant woman to follow the correct treatment, in order to avoid problems in the development of the fetus, premature birth or even pre-eclampsia.

Conclusion

So make sure you eat a balanced diet so you get all the nutrients you need to help your thyroid function at its best.

Consult the specialist who follows you about which foods you should increase in your diet and which ones to avoid, along with the treatment he will recommend.