Hi!
“The greatest oversight in conventional thyroid treatment is addressing the gland while ignoring the immune system that’s attacking it.”
“Hashimoto’s thyroiditis isn’t just a thyroid condition—it’s primarily an immune dysregulation that manifests in the thyroid.”
Most thyroid dysfunction in America has a surprising root cause: autoimmunity. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis—where your immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid tissue—accounts for approximately 90% of hypothyroidism cases in the United States. Yet conventional treatment rarely addresses this immune component, focusing instead solely on hormone replacement.
This oversight explains why many people continue experiencing symptoms despite “normal” lab values on thyroid medication. The underlying immune attack continues unaddressed, creating inflammation, inconsistent thyroid function, and often progression of the condition over time.
Understanding the autoimmune nature of most thyroid conditions completely transforms the approach to treatment:
The Immune Attack In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis:
* Your immune system produces antibodies against thyroid tissue
* These antibodies gradually damage the gland’s function
* Inflammation from the immune activity further impairs hormone production
* The attack typically fluctuates in intensity, causing symptom variation
* Thyroid hormone needs may change over time as damage accumulates
Triggering Factors Several elements can trigger or worsen autoimmune thyroid conditions:
* Gluten sensitivity (due to molecular mimicry with thyroid tissue)
* Infections (particularly Epstein-Barr virus and H. pylori)
* Stress (which modulates immune function)
* Environmental toxins (especially mercury and fluoride)
* Nutrient deficiencies (selenium, vitamin D, and others)
* Intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”)
Beyond Replacement Addressing the autoimmune component involves:
* Identifying and removing triggers specific to your situation
* Supporting immune regulation and tolerance
* Reducing overall inflammation
* Healing intestinal permeability
* Supporting remaining thyroid function
* Providing appropriate hormone replacement when necessary
People with Hashimoto’s often experience symptom patterns that reflect this autoimmune nature:
* Fluctuating symptoms despite consistent medication
* Symptom flares after exposure to triggers
* Co-occurrence of other autoimmune tendencies
* Sensitivity to multiple foods, chemicals, or medications
* Persistent symptoms despite “optimal” lab values
The conventional approach typically involves monitoring until thyroid function declines sufficiently to warrant medication, then providing synthetic T4 hormone (Synthroid/levothyroxine) to replace what the thyroid can no longer produce. While this addresses the hormone deficiency, it does nothing to address the underlying immune dysfunction driving the condition.
The functional medicine approach recognizes Hashimoto’s as primarily an immune condition that affects the thyroid—and addresses both aspects simultaneously. This comprehensive strategy often results in:
* Reduced antibody levels
* Preserved thyroid function
* More stable symptoms
* Sometimes reduced medication needs over time
* Prevention or delay of complete thyroid burnout
Next week, we’ll explore how thyroid function affects weight regulation—and why addressing thyroid health properly can be transformative for metabolism when diet and exercise have failed.
You are invited to join Perks of Wellness
In person, Quantum Surfing: An Energetic group session. Come get energy work done is a group setting, by donation. Tuesday, September 8th at 6:30pm. You can sign up by responding to this email or calling the office. See our Meetup group or go to Perksofwellness.com for more information.
Ask the Doc, a virtual Q&A for 30 minutes. Each month come and ask your questions are a particular topic, join the free conversation. This month we will be looking at Six Essentials Health (Live Q&A) on, Tuesday, September 15th at 6:30pm. The Meetup will be online, the Google Meet link will be emailed the day of to anyone who RSVPed. RSVP in the Meetup group or responding to this email.
Sis Essentials for Health: The Daily Choices That Shape Health & Resilience will be on Tuesday, September 22nd at 6:30pm. The Meetup will be online, the Google Meet link will be emailed the day of to anyone who RSVPed. RSVP in the Meetup group or responding to this email.
🌐 **Join Our Community:** I’m also excited to announce the launch of our new virtual Meetup group, Perks of Functional Medicine. This group is dedicated to exploring the world of functional medicine and getting to the root causes of your health issues. Whether you’re a seasoned health enthusiast or just starting your journey to wellness, there is something here for everyone. Join us for informative discussions, workshops, and events that will empower you to take control of your well-being and live your best life.
Meetup Group (https://www.meetup.com/perks-of-functional-medicine/)
P.S. If you found this tip helpful, keep an eye on your inbox. I’ll be sharing more valuable insights to help you take control of your health each week.
Be Good to Yourself,
Dr. Brian Perks DC, MPH
Perks of Wellness
2333 First Avenue #105
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 238-0345
drperks@perksofwellness.com
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