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Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. The condition can cause hypothyroidism, which means the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is a complex condition with many potential root causes. In this article, we will explore the root causes of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, including gluten, infections, trauma, and toxins, and why the best approach is to identify why the patient cannot deal with these factors.

Gluten is one of the most common root causes of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Some people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are sensitive to gluten, and when they consume it, their immune system attacks the thyroid gland. Functional medicine practitioners often recommend a gluten-free diet for patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis to reduce inflammation and improve symptoms.

Infections such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and helicobacter pylori, human herpes virus-6,  heat shock protein, chlamydia, hepatitis c, mycobacterium avium can also trigger Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. These viruses and infections can cause chronic inflammation, which can damage the thyroid gland, cause cross-reactivity to trigger an autoimmune response. Functional medicine practitioners may recommend testing for these viruses and infections and implementing targeted treatments to help the patient’s immune system deal with the infection.

Trauma is another potential root cause of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Trauma can trigger an autoimmune response, and patients with a history of trauma may be more susceptible to developing autoimmune disorders. Functional medicine practitioners may recommend therapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) or hypnotherapy to help patients process past trauma and reduce the risk of developing autoimmune disorders.

Toxins in the environment can also contribute to the development of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Exposure to toxins like heavy metals, pesticides, and solvents can damage the thyroid gland and trigger an autoimmune response. Functional medicine practitioners may recommend testing for toxins and implementing targeted treatments like chelation therapy to help remove toxins from the body.

The conventional system often struggles to address the root causes of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Basic testing and prescribing thyroid hormones do not address the underlying imbalance of the immune system or the potential root causes of the disease. This can result in patients experiencing ongoing symptoms and being at risk of developing more autoimmune disorders. Functional medicine practitioners take a more comprehensive approach to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, identifying the root causes and creating personalized treatment plans that address the unique needs of each patient.

In conclusion, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is a complex autoimmune disorder with many potential root causes, including gluten, infections, trauma, and toxins. The best approach is to identify why the patient cannot deal with these factors and address the underlying imbalance of the immune system. Patients may struggle to get results in the conventional system with basic testing and just prescribing thyroid hormones, which does not address the root causes of the disease. Functional medicine practitioners take a more comprehensive approach, creating personalized treatment plans that address the unique needs of each patient and reducing the risk of developing more autoimmune disorders.