Hashimoto’s Disease Causes and Treatments:

Hashimoto’s disease also referred to as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland. Individuals that suffer from this condition witness a steady loss of the thyroid glands function. This is very frequently accompanied by an increase in the size of the thyroid gland, otherwise known as a goiter. This condition is generally more common among middle-aged women and may at times be hereditary as well. The thyroid gland is in charge of producing certain hormones that regulate and exercise control on a series of metabolic functions, namely; metabolism, heart rate regulation and temperature. Thyroxine and triiodothyronine are the two hormones produce by the thyroid gland. The production of these hormones is in turn regulated by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus respectively. Now, if there is an over activity in any one of these 3 glands, an extra quantity of thyroid hormones could be produced, thus causing hyperthyroidism. In a similar manner, if there is an under activity in any one of these glands, a deficiency of the thyroid hormones may result, leading to hypothyroidism.

Normally, our immune system protects us against bacteria, foreign substances and viruses, which attack our body. However when a person has an autoimmune disease, their immune system itself, erroneously attacks certain parts of the body. In Hashimoto’s disease, the thyroid gland is attacked by the body’s own immune system. This autoimmune process causes the thyroid gland to get inflamed. This then impairs the thyroid glands ability to produce hormones, thus resulting in hypothyroidism. When this happens, the pituitary gland then responds by bringing about an increase in the production of TSH (hormone that regulates production of triiodothyronine), which attempts to increase the production of thyroid hormones by stimulating the thyroid gland. This could cause the gland to grow.

Unfortunately this condition cannot be cured with home remedies. The only dietary remedy would be to have food that is rich in iodine, such as organic vegetables, shell fish and sea food. This will help the thyroid gland in functioning normally to some extent. Apart from this, proper medical treatment as well as modifications in lifestyle can help one to cope with this disease. Regular blood tests will need to be conducted in order to determine the status or degree of the thyroid problem. After which medications will be provided that will help in replacing the thyroid hormones, which would have otherwise been produced by the body normally.