Dr. Izabella Wentz, PharmD

Thyroid Pharmacist

Is Hashimotos Hypothyroidism Genetic

Is Hashimoto’s Hypothyroidism Genetic?

Medically reviewed and written by Izabella Wentz, PharmD, FASCP

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Many people have asked me if Hashimoto’s is genetic, and if so, is there anything we can do about our genes?

We know that there is a genetic component to developing Hashimoto’s and the condition tends to run in families.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can occur in two varieties:

  1. an organ wasting form (atrophic) associated with HLA-DR3 gene inheritance
  2. enlarged thyroid (goitrous form) through HLA-DR5 inheritance

These genes are common in the Caucasian population.

Relatives of those with Hashimoto’s are at risk. So, if you have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, there’s a chance that a loved one like your mom, sister, daughter or aunt may be at risk for Hashimoto’s as well.

Think about women in your life that struggle with weight gain, anxiety, fatigue, depression, infertility, or hair loss. Cold intolerance is also a big giveaway… You may want to encourage them to get tested for Hashimoto’s.

While Hashimoto’s is much more common in women, 7 women are affected for every one man; men too can be affected. Having a male relative with Hashimoto’s increases the likelihood of being diagnosed, so if you are a man with Hashimoto’s, please note that your children may be at greater risk.

Symptoms are similar in men, but some men may also experience unique symptoms like low sex drive, poor facial hair growth and loss of muscle tone.

Thyroid Testing

Thyroid ultrasounds and blood tests are used to diagnose Hashimoto’s. Laboratory tests are available to check thyroid function and autoimmune thyroid markers.  Often, relatives of people with Hashimoto’s will have thyroid symptoms, and will ask their doctors to be tested, but will be told that their thyroid function is normal. Unfortunately, this is because many times, doctors only order the screening test for thyroid disease, NOT the test for Hashimoto’s.

Screening Test

TSH is used as a screening test for thyroid function, but this test does not always catch thyroid abnormalities. TSH does not become permanently elevated until Hashimoto’s is advanced.

Thus, people may have a normal TSH for years while experiencing unpleasant thyroid symptoms. They will present to their physicians with complaints of weight gain, fatigue, and other symptoms and will be told their thyroid tests are normal. TSH levels can fluctuate throughout the day, however, and the body often compensates by shifting energy away from metabolism and other body functions.

Untreated hypothyroidism eventually results in an abnormally elevated TSH. In contrast, untreated hyperthyroidism results in an abnormally low TSH. A person with Hashimoto’s may fluctuate between the two extremes and at times have “normal” readings.

Additionally, when scientists first set the “normal” ranges of TSH for healthy individuals, they inadvertently included elderly patients and others with compromised thyroid function in the calculations, leading to an overly lax reference range. Thus people with underactive thyroid hormones were often told their thyroid tests were “normal” based on this skewed reference range!

In recent years, the National Academy of Clinical Biochemists indicated 95 percent of individuals without thyroid disease have TSH concentrations below 2.5 mIU/mL, and a new normal reference range was defined by the American College of Clinical Endocrinologists to be between 0.3 and 3.0 mIU/mL.

Unfortunately, most labs have not yet adjusted that range in the reports they provide to physicians, listing ranges as lax as 0.2–8.0 mIU/mL. Most physicians only look for values outside the “normal” reference range provided by the labs and may be unfamiliar with the new guidelines. Subsequently, many physicians miss identifying patients with an elevated TSH. This is one reason why patients should always ask their physicians for a copy of any lab results.

Functional medicine practitioners have further defined normal reference ranges as being between 1 and 2 mIU/mL for a healthy person not taking thyroid medications.

It’s important to remember that reference ranges may not apply to everyone. What is normal for one person may be abnormal for the next. Reference ranges take into account the average values of 95 percent of the population. Not everyone falls within the “normal” reference range. If you are in the 5 percent who doesn’t, you may experience symptoms of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism even though you have TSH values considered normal. All doctors are taught the old adage, “Treat the patient and not the lab tests,” but sadly few conventional doctors seem to follow this advice.

I was told that my thyroid was “normal” when my TSH was 5.5, and I was sleeping for 12 hours each night, sleeping under two blankets, and losing hair by the handfuls!! I was not tested for Hashimoto’s.

Even with all of the redefined normal ranges, TSH screening only catches the late stage of Hashimoto’s since the body is still able to compensate in the beginning stages of thyroid dysfunction.

The THEA score is used to help estimate the risk of developing hypothyroidism within five years in people who have TPO antibodies and relatives of those with thyroid diseases. Note: Higher antibodies are associated with a greater risk of developing hypothyroidism.

Test for Hashimoto’s

The best tests for Hashimoto’s are thyroid antibody tests. These are blood tests that look for an autoimmune response to the thyroid gland. The two antibody tests that are going to be elevated in Hashimoto’s are

  1. Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPO antibodies)= present in >90% of people with Hashimoto’s
  2. Thyroglobulin antibodies (TG antibodies)= present in >80% of people with Hashimoto’s

These tests may be elevated for decades in some people before a change in TSH is seen. While a small number of antibodies may be present in normal individuals without thyroid disease, elevated thyroid antibodies indicate that the immune system has targeted the thyroid gland for destruction. The greater the number of antibodies, the more aggressive the attack on the thyroid gland.

Scientists have developed the THEA Score (Thyroid Events Amsterdam Score) to help relatives of people with Hashimoto’s to assess their risk of developing hypothyroidism in the next few years.

Calculate your THEA Score and read more about Hashimoto’s and TPO Antibodies.

**A person may be positive for one or both of these antibodies, but up to 10% of people with Hashimoto’s may not test positive for antibodies. In this case, a thyroid ultrasound can be done to determine if there are changes consistent with Hashimoto’s on the thyroid gland.

Why Test For Hashimoto’s?

Traditional doctors may not always test for Hashimoto’s unless there is an elevation in TSH, as there was not much information on what could be done about the autoimmune process, and the consensus was that there was nothing that could be done for a person with thyroid antibodies who did not have an elevated TSH. (Sign-up below for a list of practitioners who practice the ‘root cause’ approach—it’s free!)

However, researchers are now showing that thyroid antibodies, in themselves can lead to symptoms like anxiety, fatigue and a general feeling of “unwell.”

Of course knowing that you are at risk for developing a condition can be helpful for planning ahead if there’s nothing you can do to change our risk factors, but luckily, our genes are NOT our destiny!

Recent advances in autoimmune disease have determined that three things need to be present for autoimmunity to develop:

  1. The genetic predisposition
  2. Triggers that “turn on” the genes
  3. Intestinal permeability

All three of these need to be present to develop an autoimmune condition. Obviously, we can’t change our genes, but we can address our triggers and the intestinal permeability! Current research shows that environmental triggers turn on our gene expression, so genes are not our destiny! What’s even more exciting is that we can “turn-off” gene expression by eliminating triggers and intestinal permeability.

Testing Early

Ideally, we would want to catch thyroid antibodies before a significant amount of thyroid tissue has damaged. This way we can look for the root cause of the autoimmune attack, and slow down, reduce and even eliminate the autoimmune attack on the thyroid!!

Identifying our triggers can help to slow down and in some cases halt the autoimmune destruction of the thyroid gland. This may prevent many years of feeling unwell, having to depend on thyroid medications or developing additional autoimmune conditions.

While some people have been able to regenerate thyroid tissue and wean themselves off thyroid medications, the rates at which tissue regeneration happens are not always predictable, and of course, it’s much easier to prevent damage than it is to repair it.

Having one autoimmune condition puts us at risk for having additional ones, so addressing the root cause of Hashimoto’s can help prevent the development of other autoimmune conditions. Reducing thyroid antibody triggers can potentially prevent thyroid cancer as well… some studies have shown that Thyroglobulin antibodies may be related to an increased risk of thyroid cancer.

You can have your physician order the thyroid tests for you or can order your thyroid tests.

Genes are not always our destiny…

Well-established environmental triggers for developing Hashimoto’s in those who are genetically predisposed include excessive iodine intake, bacterial and viral infections, hormonal imbalances, toxins, and therapy with certain types of medications. Cigarette smoking, surprisingly, has been associated with a reduced risk of Hashimoto’s and may somewhat delay or suppress the development of the condition.

In people with Hashimoto’s, only 50 percent of their identical twins presented with thyroid antibodies, meaning genes alone are not the single defining factor, and environmental triggers play a critical role.

Family Case Studies in Autoimmune Remission

In recent years, scientists have begun to focus on environmental triggers for autoimmune disease. One interesting study looked at a family who was affected with Crohn’s, an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation of the digestive tract. They were able to identify a bacteria, Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), that was present in all of the affected family members. This bacteria has been found to cause John’s disease, (with similar symptoms to Crohn’s in cattle), and can be passed to us through the consumption of milk (even pasteurized milk). Multiple studies have found that treating this bacteria resulted in remission of Crohn’s disease…

Bacterial agents that have been identified in triggering Hashimoto’s include – Yersinia enterocolitica, Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), and H. Pylori. All three bacteria have also been implicated in Graves’ disease, another autoimmune thyroid condition that causes hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid). Interestingly, two medications used to treat Graves’ disease—thiourea and methimazole—have shown antibacterial activity against MAP.

Tests for Yersinia and H Pylori are readily available, and I’ve received multiple remission stories from individuals who tested positive for and then were treated for the above-mentioned infections. MAP tests are available for animals, tests more specific to humans are not available commercially at the moment, but should become available in coming years.

I received an email from one family that was affected with autoimmune disease. The members of the family all turned out to be gluten sensitive (both mom and dad had the genes for celiac disease). Interestingly, removing gluten helped different members of the family with different things (Hashimoto’s, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus).

Another family began to have symptoms of autoimmune disease after moving into a house with mold.

Mold can be a powerful trigger for many autoimmune conditions, including autoimmune thyroid disease, leading to hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. In this particular family, the mother developed asthma and Hashimoto’s; the daughter developed Hashimoto’s, the son developed allergies, while the father developed rashes.

It’s important to note that not everyone in the family may be affected at the same rate, and different individuals may not respond to triggers in the same way. Gluten sensitivity may be the main trigger for some people, but for others, it is a secondary manifestation of a different root cause, such as a gut infection that makes digestion more difficult. That said, I always recommend starting with food to eliminate

If you’d like to have more information on how to figure out your Hashimoto’s triggers, you may find my book; Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause, to be helpful in your journey.

P.S. Be sure to sign up to my email list to get a free book chapter, recipes, Thyroid Diet start guide and notifications about upcoming events and my weekly newsletter.

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Disclaimer: The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult your physician for any health problems and before making any medical or lifestyle changes.

Lifestyle changes can result in improved thyroid function and/or an increased absorption of thyroid hormone medications, leading to a lower required dose and possible symptoms of hyperthyroidism at a dose that was previously stable. Please discuss lifestyle changes with your physician and ensure that your thyroid function is monitored every 6-8 weeks while making lifestyle changes. Symptoms of overmedication include, but are not limited to: rapid or irregular heartbeat, nervousness, irritability or mood swings, muscle weakness or tremors, diarrhea, menstrual irregularities, hair loss, weight loss, insomnia, chest pain, and excessive sweating. Do not start, change, increase, decrease or discontinue your medications without consulting with your physician.

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  1. Hi. I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s over 26 yrs. I have been on Synthroid. Last year I was finally so sick of taking medication, I decided to pursue naturopathic way to treat my condition. I started with food sensitivity test and metal toxicity test. Both showed that I was sensitive to Gluten and Casein at very high and lead and mercury toxicity as well. I also had very high level of Candida Albicans. I suspected Leaky Gut. SO I started on GAPS diet and started to take candida cleanse. After 3 rounds of using different formulas, I still don’t know if I am clear on Candidas. The problem is that spit test doesn’t work for me, because I also have developed Sjogren’s Syndrome 12 years ago. I lost all my teeth from it and I have very little saliva. My mood, brain fog seemed to have improved, but I keep having very hard and bally stools ever since I started GAPS despite the fact that I was eating lots of vegetables and good fats. I’ve been on GAPS over 5 months or so now. I did get off while I traveled to Japan for about 2 weeks. I had never had any stomach issues like diarrhea. Rather I tend to get constipated more, but that’s also Hashimoto’s symptom too. My initial blood test showed TPO level of 7529. I was shocked at that. the 2nd test in 1.5 months later it dropped to 6806. I really would like to lower this number. Obviously my immune system is fighting hard within my thyroid. I don’t know if GAPS diet is for me or not because of my stool issue, also even before I started the diet, I was never noticing any digestive issues. My stool was normal, not hard like now. So I have to ask “Do I have Leaky Gut?” Obviously it did some good looking at the TPO number. My main symptoms are mainly brain fog, cognitive issues, mood swings, depression, panic attacks, anxiety, easy to get tired, but physically not much. I want to look into those in H Pylori and other bacterias in my digestive tracts. Do you have any suggestions that I should do at this point.
    Reply

  2. I have also lived several years with Hashimoto’s and have found most MDs to be of little help. Consequently, I have worked to find my own answers and optimize my health. I found iodine to be extremely effective with brain fog. I order atomidine from amazon and take 2 drops in 8 ounces of water once a week and it has been like turning on a light. My daughter also has it and has found gluten free and whole foods to be very helpful with her condition. Get the books “Iodine: why you need it; why you can’t live without it” and “Living Well With Hypothyroidism”. They both have some great info about supplements you may benefit from. Good luck!
    Reply

    • Joy- I’m very hesitant in recommending iodine in Hashimoto’s. Although iodine serves as fuel for our thyroid and is very important in iodine deficiency hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s is a different mechanism. It’s like pouring gas into an engine that’s on fire… that’s essentially what’s happening in Hashi’s, thyroid inflammation, and adding iodine to the mix before putting out the fire and fixing the engine may result in further damage to the thyroid. In those with a predisposition to autoimmunity, this has been documented time and time again, animal and human studies. I have spent 4 years researching this and have seen too many people suffering the consequences of adding iodine too soon. My approach is, let’s fix the engine first (usually a gut issue), and then add the fuel once we know that the engine is no longer on fire. Hope that you will check out my book. I have a whole chapter on the iodine controversy that references numerous studies as well as the work of Abraham and Brownstein.

      AMAZON
      http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20

      Reply

  3. It’s just so frustrating! I have a body temperature of 95-96 and am always cold; losing my hair, always tired and body aches, not to mention brain frog. Can’t remember anything. My thyroid antibodies are high (Hashimoto’s), but the other levels are still functioning and can’t be treated. What does one do????
    Reply

  5. Both my mother and grandmother had goiters and thyroid issues. Then came my turn, but I just eliminated gluten from my diet and now I have had to decrease my Armour dosage to 1/2 tab of the lowest dose. I am almost medication free now and my thyroid antibodies have dropped to 2 from a high of 60. Thank you for your newsletter and keeping us informed on thyroid issues.
    Reply

  6. I was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease almost 10years ago when I was 20. My sister has Hashimoto’s, my mom, grandma, and a number of my mother’s aunts have Graves’. Do you have a similar blog about Graves’?
    Reply

    • Brandi- Graves and Hashimoto’s are both autoimmune conditions that affect the thyroid. They are thought to be closely related. Sometimes one turns into the other. The difference is the site of the antibody attack. In Hashimoto’s, the antibodies are found to thyroglobulin (in 80%) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) enzyme (in 95% of people)-Hashimoto’s results in hypothyroidism and is usually treated with Synthroid and replacement hormone.

      The same antibodies may be present in a smaller percentage of people who have Graves, but the main antibody is to the TSH Receptor (TSHR-Ab). Usually people with Graves have hyperthyroidism and they are treated conventionally with thyroid suppressing drugs (methimazole) or radioactive iodine to destroy the thyroid. At that point, the thyroid will no longer produce hormones on its own and these people end up on Synthroid as well.

      Most thyroid conditions result from the immune system attacking the thyroid because the immune system is out of balance. Even when the thyroid is taken out surgically or treated with radioactive iodine the autoimmunity still persists in most cases. Many people will have their thyroids removed, and will develop new autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The immune system just finds a different target. We need to rebalance the immune system to prevent this (sometimes the autoimmunity can be reversed as well! The gut determines your immune system. With the exception of discussing proper thyroid medication dosing, the majority of my website and my book focuses on balancing the immune system. The info I present is based on my own research in journey for overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition.

      http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20

      Reply

  7. My mom may have had it,as she struggled with thin hair,sparse eyebrows,lashes and obesity.I was diagnosed in 1990.She passed in 2001,from a head injury.It was not known at the time of her thyroid status.How lucky are we nowadays to have pioneers like you,researching this mysterious,all-encompassing condition
    Reply

    • Diana- Here is some information you may find interesting.

      Three things MUST be present in order for autoimmunity to occur…

      1. Genetic predisposition
      2. Environmental triggers
      3. Intestinal permeability (leaky gut)

      Developing autoimmunity is like a three-legged stool, all of these factors must be present for autoimmunity to occur! When you remove one of these, you can prevent or stop autoimmune disease. While we can’t change genes, if we know the trigger, we can remove it and we can heal the gut.

      REVERSING AUTOIMMUNITY AND THE PERFECT STORM
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/reversing-autoimmunity-and-the-perfect-storm

      Reply

  8. I am so confused. I read this book and I am on the path suggested. I have Hashimoto’s and I had an intestinal permeability test done and it showed up as normal. Do I have to have Leaky Gut to have Hashimoto’s?
    Reply

    • Cheryl- Here is some information you may find interesting.

      Three things MUST be present in order for autoimmunity to occur…

      1. Genetic predisposition
      2. Environmental triggers
      3. Intestinal permeability (leaky gut)

      Developing autoimmunity is like a three-legged stool, all of these factors must be present for autoimmunity to occur! When you remove one of these, you can prevent or stop autoimmune disease. While we can’t change genes, if we know the trigger, we can remove it and we can heal the gut.

      REVERSING AUTOIMMUNITY AND THE PERFECT STORM
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/reversing-autoimmunity-and-the-perfect-storm

      Reply

  9. In the 1950’s an Isotope was inadvertently released from an experimental lab on the Camp Hanford Army Base in Washington State. It passed over the largest city in the easternmost corner of the state – Walla Walla, Wn. I and my sisters lived their during our teens. Years later 3 of us developed thyroid imbalance symptoms. I returned to Walla Walla during my 2nd pregnancy and that daughter developed thyroid disease (Hashimotos) in her late 30’s. My mother researched the occurrence of many cases of thyroid problems that were reported in the hospitals of the city. A class action suit was set up in the 1970’s against the Government installation at Camp Hanford. Many people have signed up for this suit including my sisters and I. The thyroid problems were caused by radiation from the Isotope. This situation has been included in several books written by professionals in the health community. We don’t expect the suit to be settled for a couple more decades as there is much research to be done. Radiation is one of the leading causes of thyroid diseases and problems. And it is everywhere, world wide. All the statements about the index testing procedures presented here are true. I recently was tested for TSH which had gone up to 5.7 and with a new treatment it is down to .55. For several years I kept my Hashimotos in check with proper medication that balances the T3 and T4 in the blood stream. Frequent testing is needed to help the Dr. make adjustments in the meds. Recently I started on a much larger dosage (150 levothyroxine) to balance the high TSH and it was caused by an infection on my shins (cellulitis) which is common in the elderly (I am 75). Radiation may be the leading cause of thyroid disease and other health problems. It is highly unlikely that gluten, milk, meat and other foods/substance is the cause of the worldwide health problem of Hypothyroidism – a huge increase in the last 6 or 7 decades. However, if your symptoms are: sensitivity to cold, loss of appetite, high anxiety and increase pain from arthritis or other autoimmune conditions, you should get the thyroid panel test and see if your TSH is higher than 3 and your T3 and T4 are out of balance then you can get your doctor to prescribe small dosages of Cytomel for approx. 2 month then test again and figure out how much levothyroxine is needed to balance everything out. Take your meds early on an empty stomach, don’t skip a dosage, test frequently. When all your symptoms are gone (and they will go away) you don’t need to go on elaborate food restrictions, cleanses and weight loss fads.
    Reply

  10. I was diagnosed 22yrs ago w Hashimitos. At my last dr appt I was trying to talk about my Hashimitos with him. He spun around on his stool & said” HADHIMOTOS GOES AWAY AFTER U START TAKING MEDS SO YOU DO NOT HAVE HASHIMITOS ANYMORE!” I WAS AT THAT POINT THOROYGHLY DISGUSTED WITH HIM! I HAVE NO HAIR, AM 50LBS OVERWEIGHT, IN CONSTANT PAIN, FATIGUED, YET DONT SLEEP WELL, CONSTANTLY HAVE TO PEE & HAVE BLOOD IN MY URINE ON A REGULAR BASIS. LET ALONE THE DEPRESSION IS GOUNGVTO KILL ME. I AM ON 75MCG OF LEVOTHOROXINE. I CRY EVERY DAY CUZ MY FAMILY, HUSBAND & FRIENDS HAVE ALL DESERTED ME CUZ IM NOT THE OLD DENISE! I JUST NEEDED TO VENT. THANK U FOR PLACES LIKE THIS I CAN EXPRESS MYSELF. IM SURE I WILL DIE ALONE CUZ I HAVE NO ONE !!!! GOD BLESS ALL U HASHIMOTO-IANS.
    Reply

  11. Denise, I know how you feel. I wish I had some great piece of advice, but I don’t. I can just say I feel the same do you aren’t alone, but it feels like we are. No one without it, yet we wouldn’t wish it on anyone, can know how it feels. I’m sitting in my car now with the air on because it’s a great day out, but I am in agony and crying because my body hurts and I can’t be who I want. If I get anything figured, I’ll let you know. Bent anytime! I don’t have the energy to add more now. 🙁 jeep fighting though.
    Reply

    • Joanna- When I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto’s, I felt so alone. My doctor didn’t think it was a big deal, and none of my friends or co-workers had it. It wasn’t until I started to research online that I found others who were going through the same thing.

      A couple of years after my diagnosis, I found Hashimoto’s 411, a closed Facebook group run by Alice Berry McDonnell. This group is amazing! It is comprised of an army of highly motivated, smart, supportive women and men (now 45,000+ strong), and each of them sharing ideas of what worked for them, things they were planning to try, and offering support to one another. The comfort I received from knowing that there were others going through the same challenges as I, was enormous.

      https://www.facebook.com/groups/hashimotos411/

      Ask questions. Post your thoughts. Scan the files. It is an absolutely amazing resource. Best of all it’s kept private from spammers.

      Reply

  12. I am 51 and got graves ive had radioactive treatment a year ago my dose of lev is now 75 keeps dropping it was 125 I get a rapid hb sum times and feel tiered all time my daughter at the age of 8 had swollen lips any way she was diagnosed with crhons she is now 18 never had bowl problems at all was on azathyrphrin for 4 years now she follows a benzoate free diet if she dose not her lips swell is this all linked to graves
    Reply

    • Diane- Most thyroid conditions result from the immune system attacking the thyroid because the immune system is out of balance. Even when the thyroid is taken out surgically, is ‘dead’, or treated with radioactive iodine the autoimmunity still persists in most cases. Many people will have their thyroids removed, and will develop new autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The immune system just finds a different target. We need to re-balance the immune system to prevent this (sometimes the autoimmunity can be reversed as well). The gut determines your immune system. With the exception of discussing proper thyroid medication dosing, the majority of my website and my book focuses on balancing the immune system. The info I present is based on my own research and journey for overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition.

      HASHIMOTO’S ROOT CAUSE BOOK
      http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0615825796?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=0615825796&linkCode=xm2&tag=thyroipharma-20

      Reply

  13. My mum has a goitre and has hashimotos but is not on any medication as her levels are ‘normal’. Both my sister and I have hashi and are being medicated as well as a strict diet. Mum has always battled with her weight and we try to talk to her about making changes to her diet but she is in denial because the doctors say she doesn’t need medication. She is going through a very stressful time at the moment looking after my dad who has stage 4 bowel cancer. Any suggestions on what she should be doing please!
    Reply

  14. I was told my daughter needed thyroid meds when she was 12, and I was told I did too, about 15 years after that….no mention of Hashimotos, or support for this insideous disease. However, I now, thanks to Izabella, am on a mostly gluten free (it is so HARD, though) dairy free diet, antibodies are at 10, don’t know what they were before the new diet, as physicians have no idea how to help you to get better. Maybe I am just thyroid poor, not having Hashimotos,,,,but feeling better, gonna continue this diet, and see where it goes!

    Reply

    • CJ- I think it is amazing you have empowered yourself to take your health back! I look forward to hearing your progress on this page!! You may be interested in checking out the Root Cause Recipe Portal. It is full of autoimmune paleo and paleo recipes. You’re able to organize weekly shopping lists, meal planning, etc. Hope you check it out.

      http://rootcauserecipes.com/

      Reply

  15. Hello Dr. Wentz,

    I’m a 41 year women with no children, my mother was diagnosed with hashimoto’s over 15 years ago and lost almost all her hair, even though she takes Synthroid daily.

    My grandmother, aunt and cousin from my mother’s side has this unfortunate disease too.

    I’m tested every six months, I’m so scared to get this as I have witnessed how hard it can be to deal with as far as the weight gain, hair loss and fatigue, even with medication.

    Two questions, am I possibly going to inherent this disease since my family has a history with this, and I’ve periodically have had symptoms of hypothyroidism, but I bounce right back three weeks later, my doctor isn’t sure, but says my symptoms are likely hypothyroidism. Ugh, it would be nice to catch it before any damage continues.

    I’m around the age my other family members started having symptoms, and I’ve been having suspicious symptoms for the last ten years, no other diseases diagnosed when blood work was done. I cannot even take the cold, not even for 5 mins, I weigh 120 lbs, but will gain up to 8 pounds out of nowhere. Sometimes swelling under the eyes and unexplained fatigue. Thought it was perimenopause, but doctor said estrogen is still in “ovulation range”.

    Thanks,
    Lo

    Reply

  16. My sister was diagnosed with hashi’s and I have followed her footsteps with the symptoms. Was tested for hashi’s and had a low amount of antibodies, but in the normal range. I always see that an ultrasound can diagnose but what exactly on an ultrasound indicates hashi’s? I have multiple cysts and nodules on my thyroid. My endo stated it was an indication of hashi’s in my file but nothing was ever done about it or said about it. So because all my tests are fine and in the normal range I continue to suffer tons of symptoms, but I get no help. Just wondering what actual indicates hashi’s on an ultrasound.

    Reply

    • Kay – An ultrasound can show shrinkage, lesions, nodules and scarring consistent with Hashimoto’s. A good doctor would be able to interpret the ultrasound results for you. I highly recommend that you work with a functional medicine clinician. It’s an entire medical specialty dedicated to finding and treating underlying causes and prevention of serious chronic disease rather than disease symptoms.

      FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE APPROACH TO THE THYROID
      https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/functional-medicine-approach-to-the-thyroid

      CLINICIAN DATABASE
      http://www.thyroidpharmacistconsulting.com/clinician-database.html

      FIND A FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE CLINICIAN
      https://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117

      Reply

      • Hello! I have read both of your books and truly appreciate all that you do for this community. I was diagnosed via ultrasound last year (2 small nodules, FNA confirmed diagnosis) and have had TSH levels varying from 1.5 to 5.8 and most recently 4.5 since then. What is interesting to me is that my antibodies have never been higher than 37. So I am wondering if I am possibly seronegative (as I learned about in your most recent article). My question is how can I measure success of treatment protocols if not by antibody levels? I am fortunately fairly asymptomic as I believe I am possibly in the early stages, maybe late 2 or early 3. Thank you for continued efforts to create awareness! Because of you, my sister now knows she has Hashimotos but she is still in stage 1 and hopefully will be able to reverse the condition before ever becoming hypothyroid!

        Reply

  17. I keep reading your blog and your books including the new one. I work with functional medicine doctor and I see same patterns over and over.
    It started with tpo 90 and higher tsh around 5. Initially after going gluten free and autoimmune diet antibodies went up to 500. Then I learned I had ebv. After one year of supplementing with vitamin d , zinc, selenium and vitamin c and monolarium plus some adrenals support ebv went away and antibodies were 30. It lasted for 1 year. In last year the antibodies started to go up again went up to 200 and tsh was around 8. My doctor was telling me that I am paradox as I completely don’t have symptoms but my blood work points otherwise. Few weeks ago I myself retested myself and noticed ebv reactivated. I was gluten free for 1 year and my diet was extremely clean and organic. No nightshades, litte eggs, No dairy. My antibodies are now 111 and ebv early antigen is high. My tsh is the highest I ever had 11, but my t4 and t3 are in the middle of the range. I am confused and feel like the body is not as simple as all the bloggers think and this hashimotos is a nightmare to deal with.
    Like I said I feel great but my numbers are not. I am lean, athletic and don’t have issues except maybe some colder hands and feet in the winter time, but this happens in my office that is extremely cold and everyone complains.
    Could my ebv driving my hashimotos?
    Why it reactivates if I do everything I can to control it?
    Why with tsh of 11 I feel great?
    Funny part is my dad also has hashimotos and after he lowered his medication synthroid to bare minimum he started to feel better nevertheless he fact he has tsh of 20. Before he had tsh of 2 and was feeling terrible. I feel like this tsh values are completely useless and not important at all. Tsh is just the snapshot of what is your body doing right now. One hour after the test it can completely be different.

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  18. I believe I have suffered with hashimotos most of my life but was only diagnosed when I was 34 yrs old. I am 41 now. Prior to that I had tried many hairloss products, healthy eating, etc anything to try to make me feel better having no idea there was an underlying cause. Within recent years my daughter who is now 7 has been diagnosed with hashimotos. I do not want my daughter to suffer s much as I did growing up and im currently doing everything I can to help her. Your website has been extremely helpful and given me an insight into helping both my child and myself overcome the symptoms of hashimotos. Thank you so much.

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  19. Hi again, from England.
    I have recently been diagnosed with hyperthyroid wkth large multinodular goitre. For yeara i was borderline. Waiting to see endocrinologist, not got treatment yet.
    Two queries, before being diagnosed as hyper, following a 24 hour swelling in goitre, tnat has now gone, i was takimg 300mg sea kelp do you think that was/IS a good/bad idea? Not taking it T the moment, been off it 3 weeks.
    Other thing, i have 7 cousins and a late aunt with hypo a d hyper thyroid issues. Aunt had a goitre removed many years ago. Basica.ly, our paternal gra dfather/aunts father worked as a hatter in early 20th century. This included much exposure to mercury, arsenic and other heavy metals during the process. Would this have been carried through genes to myself a d cousins a d now 2 daughters who are diagnosed with tnyroid disease, in early stages?
    Thank you.

    Reply

    • Lindka – thank you so much for reaching out and sharing your journey. I am sorry to hear you are struggling. My heart goes out to you and your family. <3 I do not recommend Kelp, Dulse, Spirulina Chlorella and Seaweed for those with active Hashimoto’s due to their high content of Iodine and their propensity to modulate the immune system. Spirulina, in particular, has been associated with new onset autoimmune conditions. Additionally, excess iodine can perpetuate/worsen the autoimmune attack in Hashimoto’s and lead to additional thyroid cell destruction. Nodules and goiters are often the result of toxicity and/or the autoimmune process. So, doing interventions to reduce the autoimmune attack on the thyroid, and toxicity, can be helpful to reduce them. Graves and Hashimoto's are both autoimmune conditions that affect the thyroid. They are thought to be closely related. Sometimes one turns into the other. The difference is the site of the antibody attack. In Hashimoto's, the antibodies are found to thyroglobulin (in 80%) and thyroid peroxidase (TPO) enzyme (in 95% of people) Hashimoto's results in hypothyroidism and is usually treated with Synthroid and replacement hormone.

      The same antibodies may be present in a smaller percentage of people who have Graves, but the main antibody is to the TSH Receptor (TSHR-Ab). Usually, people with Graves have hyperthyroidism, and they are treated conventionally with thyroid suppressing drugs (methimazole) or radioactive iodine to destroy the thyroid. At that point, the thyroid will no longer produce hormones on its own, and these people end up on Synthroid as well.

      Most thyroid conditions result from the immune system attacking the thyroid because the immune system is out of balance. Even when the thyroid is taken out surgically or treated with radioactive iodine the autoimmunity still persists in most cases. Many people will have their thyroids removed, and will develop new autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid arthritis, etc. The immune system just finds a different target.

      We need to rebalance the immune system to prevent this. Sometimes the autoimmunity can be reversed as well! The gut determines your immune system. With the exception of discussing proper thyroid medication dosing, the majority of my website and my book focuses on balancing the immune system. The info I present is based on my own research and journey for overcoming my autoimmune thyroid condition. Here are the links to my books:

      Hashimoto’s Root Cause
      http://amzn.to/2DoeC80

      Hashimoto’s Protocol
      http://amzn.to/2B5J1mq

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  20. After having my daughter a doctor found a nodule on my neck that was tested and determined to be non cancerous. He did further blood work and identified that I have Hashimotos but it is not active. I don’t have any Hashimotos symptoms as of yet and my thyroid is at normal levels. But I do go back every 6 months for a check up on this. I eat in moderation high in vegetable low in gluten diet, exercise 3-4 days a week, live a healthy lifestyle. My question is what can I do to further help to keep my Hashimoto in remission as it is now proactively? As I mentioned I don’t have any symptoms & am not taking any medicine. Would love to read more on this topic more specifically.

    Reply

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