Managing Symptoms of Hashimoto's Flare-Up
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Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks the thyroid gland.
Flare-ups usually last for a few days or weeks and can include mental and physical symptoms, ranging from muscle weakness and aches to fatigue.
While there is no singular cause of flare-ups, certain stressors and foods are believed to trigger them, including stress, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and specific drugs and supplements.
You can reduce symptoms and flare-ups with a regular sleep schedule, an anti-inflammatory diet, stress management, and protecting gut health.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis or Hashimoto’s disease, is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks healthy thyroid cells and gradually destroys the thyroid gland. (Source) A Hashimoto’s flare-up is defined by an increase in symptoms of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Both physical and mental symptoms can manifest.
Symptoms of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may not be noticeable at first and can progress for years. Eventually the thyroid may be damaged enough to cause a decrease in thyroid hormone levels in the blood, known as hypothyroidism.
Possible physical symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
Neurological and mental symptoms of hypothyroidism may include:
Hyperthyroidism, an overactive thyroid, may also present in the early stages of Hashimoto’s. This occurs when inflammation of the thyroid gland causes too much thyroxine, a hormone secreted by the thyroid gland, to be produced. (Source)
Symptoms may include:
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and hypothyroidism, or thyroid hormone deficiency, are similar conditions. Hashimoto’s disease begins with inflammation of the thyroid gland and often leads to hypothyroidism as the thyroid gland is damaged. Until thyroid levels start falling, there may be no noticeable symptoms of Hashimoto’s disease. However, having Hashimoto's thyroiditis does not necessarily guarantee experiencing hypothyroidism.
Although Hashimoto’s disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism, other causes include over-response to anti-thyroid medication, thyroid surgery, radiation therapy, medications such as lithium, and other autoimmune disorders. (Source)
Hashimoto’s flare-ups typically last for a few days or weeks. If flare-ups last longer than this time frame, this may actually be a permanent dropping of thyroid hormone levels.
There are several causes of Hashimoto’s flare-ups, and these differ from person to person. However, some common triggers for changes in thyroid function include:
Diet also plays an essential role in Hashimoto’s disease. Iodine and selenium are vital to thyroid function, so people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis should maintain an adequate amount of these nutrients in their diet. Zinc deficiency has also been associated with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and zinc supplementation improved thyroid hormone levels in people with goiter, an enlarged thyroid gland. (Source) Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 deficiencies have also been observed in people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. (Source, Source)
Some medications and supplements can also interfere with thyroid function or with absorption of levothyroxine, the synthetic thyroid hormone used to treat hypothyroidism. These include:
Adjusting the dosage of levothyroxine or changing the time of day when you take other medications can help reduce these effects. (Source, Source)
The relationship between stress and function of the thyroid in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is not fully understood. However, stress has both direct and indirect impacts on the immune system, which may contribute to susceptibility or resistance to thyroid autoimmunity. (Source)
Common stressors include emotional stresses with family or relationships; physical stress like injuries, surgery or illness; and life changes, such as pregnancy or moving cities. Stress management techniques, such as meditation, may help alleviate stress and improve health.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is treated with levothyroxine, a synthetic form of thyroid hormone. Taking the correct dosage of levothyroxine balances hormone levels and prevents Hashimoto’s flare-ups.
It is also essential to maintain a healthy and anti-inflammatory diet. There is no one specific diet for people with Hashimoto’s disease, but a low-iodine diet may prove helpful. (Source, Source, Source) Aloe, licorice, and foods high in Omega 3 may also help heal inflammation and improve gut health. (Source) The paleo, gluten-free, and autoimmune protocol (AIP) diets may help reduce inflammation and identify foods that trigger the immune response. (Source)
With all autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks its own tissues. Hashimoto’s flare-ups are likely initiated by an overzealous immune response causing inflammation in the thyroid. For many patients, these autoimmune flares are linked to poor gut health or part of the gut-thyroid connection. (Source, Source, Source, Source)
Thus, improving gut health may reduce inflammation, frequency and severity of flare-ups, and thyroid autoimmunity. Research has shown that treating gut infections, such as H. pylori, can decrease thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies, which are markers of thyroid autoimmunity, and improve thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. (Source)
Probiotics can also help balance the gut microbiome, eliminate harmful microorganisms, promote a healthy immune response, and reduce inflammation. (Source) Probiotic supplements have been found to reduce the need for thyroid medications and decrease fatigue in people with Hashimoto’s. (Source)
Vitamin D, whether through supplementation or safe sun exposure, may improve thyroid health and lower thyroid antibodies. (Source, Source) Selenium can reduce TPO antibodies that damage thyroid tissue. (Source, Source, Source)
Lifestyle changes can help individuals manage symptoms of Hashimoto’s. These include:
Hashimoto’s flare-ups may include both mental and physical symptoms, such as fatigue and muscle weakness or aches, and commonly last for a few days or weeks at a time. There is no one definitive cause of flare-ups but certain foods or stressors are believed to trigger them.
While there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, it may be possible to reduce symptoms with an anti-inflammatory diet, regular sleep schedule, lifestyle changes, and stress reduction. When Hashimoto’s causes a permanent decrease in thyroid function, the standard treatment is supplementation with levothyroxine, a synthetic thyroid hormone.