Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Hashimoto's thyroiditis disease

Hashimoto's disease was first described in 1912 by the Japanese physician Hakaru Hashimoto (1881–1934), who practiced in Germany and England for many years. Today, approximately four to eight million people in Germany are affected by this autoimmune condition. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is on the rise and is becoming increasingly common.

We should take this disease seriously, ask questions, and seek to understand its causes, as it is a process in which the body's balance has been disrupted by our lifestyles. Currently, standard treatments such as lifelong thyroid hormone therapy are often recommended when the thyroid gland has been underactive (hypothyroid) for a long time. However, some question whether the body deliberately destroys its thyroid gland and whether this process is truly what nature intended.

What is the thyroid?

The thyroid gland is an important butterfly-shaped gland located below the larynx on the windpipe. While it is not directly involved in speech, it plays a vital role in regulating our metabolism and overall well-being. From a holistic perspective, the thyroid is often associated with our ability to express feelings and needs, live our inner purpose, and stay true to ourselves.

Emotional and mental stress can cause muscular tension in the lower neck, particularly around the C7 vertebra, which is connected to the thyroid gland. This tension can affect the function of the thyroid by restricting the supply of nerve impulses and blood flow, potentially promoting hypothyroidism. Many people also experience severe tension in their shoulder muscles. Autoimmune processes develop over a long period, and as the body becomes exhausted, they can lead to inflammation— the immune system's response to a threat. But where does it start?

Our intestines — the root of the “Human Plant”

Chronic silent inflammation in the intestine damages the tissue and increases permeability, allowing endotoxins, viruses, fungi, pollutants and chemicals to enter the bloodstream unfiltered. As a result, the immune system is permanently on alert and becomes increasingly exhausted, as it only has limited options for reacting to a variety of attacks.

Genetic disposition

People are endowed with different genetic predispositions that influence the course of our lives. However, our state of health depends not only on our genes, but above all on the environment that surrounds them.

The good news is that we can control our own health. According to Dr. Jeffrey Bland, it’s not doctor visits, medications, or surgeries that have the biggest impact on our health, but rather the cumulative diet and lifestyle choices that significantly influence the expression of our genes.

Environmental impact

The body demonstrates its enormous resilience on a daily basis, but stress and electrosmog (WLAN, cell phones, power grids) are the main factors that exceed this resilience. Exceeding the stress limit— for example, through certain foods such as cereals containing gluten, casein (milk protein), saponins, and lectins, as well as through constant stress, medication, heavy metals, and additives, can trigger inflammation and autoimmune reactions.

Clear diagnostic criteria for Hashimoto's thyroiditis

1. Thyroid values: TSH, free T3 (fT3), free T4 (fT4), T3 reserve
2. Thyroid antibodies: TSH, free T3 (fT3), free T4 (fT4), T3 reserve
3. ТРО-АK (also microsomal antibodies = MAK), ТАК (antibodies against thyroglobulin), and TRAK (TSH receptor antibodies)

• Dental-jaw status & X-ray (orthopantomogram): Detection of interference from dead teeth, amalgam, or jaw inflammation.
• Gastrointestinal diagnostics (stool): Stool tests to assess the microbiome, intestinal barrier, and inflammation.
• Laboratory tests: Chemical tests are urgently needed to determine current thyroid hormone production. It is essential to examine the most important laboratory parameters and cofactors.
• Thyroid ultrasound: Assessment of thyroid structure, even with negative antibodies.
• Toxicological examinations: Heavy metal testing and a lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) for environmental toxicity are advisable.
• Cervical spine check: Exclusion of instabilities following trauma.

They often have vitamin D and iodine deficiencies, a genetic predisposition, or metabolic disorders such as HPU and KPU, which impair blood formation and detoxification. These disorders affect around 15% of the population and should not be overlooked.

Iodine - our all-rounder for the thyroid

For a long time, it was recommended that Hashimoto's patients avoid iodine. However, new research has shown that iodine plays a crucial role in thyroid health. The thyroid gland requires iodine and the amino acid tyrosine to produce the thyroid hormones T4 and T3. Iodine exists as iodine and iodide, which interact in metabolism with vitamins such as B6 and magnesium to facilitate the conversion of T4 into active T3, a hormone that acts intracellularly and influences the function of every cell.

Important iodine functions in the body

• Support of the immune system and immune stimulation
• Synthesis of sex hormones and thyroid hormones
• Detoxification of heavy metals and halogens
• Production of stress hormones and neurotransmitters
• Antibacterial, antiviral, and antiparasitic effects
• Tumor defense by promoting natural cell death (apoptosis), e.g., in breast, ovarian, and thyroid diseases

Iodine and autoimmune diseases

In the case of Hashimoto's, it is important to conduct a thorough examination before iodine supplementation. Hyperthyroidism (e.g., Graves' disease) must be ruled out. If hyperthyroidism is present, iodine intake is contraindicated. The need for iodine should be assessed individually.** Important: Iodine is not a panacea.**

Hope through holistic treatment

Hashimoto's often progresses into a widespread, chronic condition when only hormone replacement therapy is used. However, from a holistic perspective, there is hope. It's not just about managing symptoms but caring for the whole person. Taking responsibility for your own health is the first step—because individualized, expert support can pave the way back to better health.