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Everything You Need to Know About Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's Thyroid Disease
It’s true that there is no medical cure for hypothyroidism. No pill will give you back your energy and zest for life. However, it’s important to understand that hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s are lifestyle diseases. The things that cause them are the everyday decisions that you make. Undoing them relies on understanding the cause underpinning your condition. Many factors can contribute (these are the five pillars of Ecological Nutrition), but at the end of the day, it all comes down to oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction (which you can read more about here). Reducing oxidative stress and getting your mitochondria working the way they should is the key unlocking health and wellbeing.
Symptoms of Autoimmune Diseases
Here are the most common symptoms:
Fatigue
Skin rashes, eczema, or hives
Joint pain and swelling
Hormonal imbalances and irregular periods in women
Digestive issues, including bloating, diarrhoea, and constipation
Food intolerances and allergies
Chemical sensitivities
Anxiety and/or depression
Is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Genetic?
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is genetic, yes, but it’s also epigenetic. This means that it’s a malleable trait. The genes involved don’t stay active all the time. They’re meant to turn on and off in response to signals from the environment and the body. So, while there is a heritable aspect of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, there’s also a component that’s largely dictated by the environment. And, while you can’t change your genes, you can change your environment. It is not a life sentence. Far from it…
What’s the Link Between Mental Health and Autoimmune Disease?
Far from being mysterious, there is a very clear link between autoimmune disease and mental health: the autonomic nervous system. The state of your autonomic nervous system reflects both the state of your mental heath and how your immune system is functioning.
