Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and the Immune System- The Functional Medicine Approach April 8, 2008

Summary

• Thyroid Gland- Gland that sits just below your “Adams Apple”. It helps control rate of energy production and conservation.
• Hypothyroidism- “Turning down the thermostat” for most of your biological activities.
• Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an auto-immune disease where your body attacks it’s own Thyroid tissue. Imbalances are seen in the immune system’s TH1 / TH2 responses, imbalances that typically come about when chronically exposed to an antigen (virus, bacteria, foods, everyday chemicals ect.) Immune Imbalances can lead to auto-immune diseases like Hashimoto’s.

RECOMMENDED BLOOD TESTS FOR HASHIMOTO’S (INCLUDING TPO ANTIBODIES)

• Suspect Hashimoto’s if you are on medications for hypothyroidism like Synthroid and they “just don’t work”.
• Functional Medicine Practitioners may test for Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPO Antibodies) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TGA Antibodies), which are the white blood type cells that attack the Thyroid gland.
• Most of people with Hashimoto’s have an inborn error in processing vitamin D, which is important in the stability of the immune system. One should conceder ordering a vitamin D test (25 Hydroxy D) to check for optimal vitamin D levels (50-70 ng/ml).
• Situations that make Hashimoto’s worse:
  • Gluten Intolerance- 95% of symptoms will go away when gluten is eliminated!
  • Iodine- This can increase oxidative stress on the Thyroid (see Jodbasedow phenomenon).
  • Sugar handling issues (hypoglycemia/insulin resistance/diabetes).
  • Intestinal infections- Theses go undetected most of the time (AKA YOU CAN NOT FEEL THEM). Stool testing is crucial.
  • Unbalanced hormones.
  • Heavy metal burdens- We all have a degree of heavy metal burden, however, higher levels of metals like mercury, arsenic, and antimony can promote major immune system dysfunction. You yourself can test for heavy metal burden with a simple hair test.
• Goals:

1. To stabilize antibody spikes by balancing the immune system. Understand your imbalance by ordering two blood tests:
   1. TH1/TH2 Balance Panel
   2. CD4/CD8 Ratio Panel
2. Reduce oxidative damage done by the auto-antibodies

The majority of today’s traditional healthcare practitioners would have stopped at step 1 and you would have been on the long, downward spiraling, road of medication. Dr. Brady see people suffering like you from all around the nation. Dr. Brady is a Functional Medicine Practitioner in Atlanta Georgia and uses cutting edge medical technology and knowledge to restore ones normal function in both the sick and the well. When there is no box, It CAN be done!

We have developed a TeleHealth Service designed to help people worldwide. Our use of advance laboratory testing helps identify any potential blockades that keep you from losing weight and being healthy in every moment.

If this information helped you, please pass it on to others so they may be helped in the same way.

Dr. Brady Hurst
TrueHealthLabs.com