Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones which regulate metabolic rate.
It seldom causes symptoms in the early stages, but over time, untreated hypothyroidism can cause a number of health problems, including obesity, joint pain, infertility and heart disease because it causes excessive inflammation in the body.
Accurate thyroid function tests are available to diagnose hypothyroidism but subclinical hypothyroidism is very common.
The most important marker to identify this condition is TSH but there are other thyroid markers such as T3 and T4 which can provide additional information.
Conventional Treatment
Standard treatment involves daily use of synthetic thyroid hormone. Your TSH level is usually rechecked after two to three months on thyroid hormone to find the correct dose.
Excessive amounts of the hormone can cause side effects, such as:
- Increased appetite
- Insomnia
- Heart palpitations
- Nervousness
- Shakiness
- Weight loss
Conventional medicine aims to achieve a normal TSH level. However, many people will still suffer with symptoms even after TSH is within the “normal range”.
Functional Medicine and Hypothyroidism
Up to 90% of hypothyroid people actually suffer from an autoimmune attack against the thyroid gland causing destruction of thyroid tissue. The reason many people do not feel better even after TSH has been normalized is because their autoimmunity is never addressed.
Autoimmunity against the thyroid identifies an underlying autoimmune condition and the thyroid is merely the targeted tissue of the immune system.
The focus of Functional Medicine is to manage the autoimmunity and decrease the attacks against the thyroid through dietary intervention and nutritional support.
Assessment
Lab assessment of hypothyroid patients should include thyroid antibodies, to assess for autoimmune thyroid conditions.
If thyroid antibodies are positive, additional testing may include intestinal permeability testing (to assess for leaky gut), stool testing (to rule out an imbalance of gut bacteria) and food sensitivity testing.
Management
A comprehensive approach to the management of complex conditions such as autoimmune disease must take into consideration many aspects of health, including gut barrier integrity and imbalances of gut flora, liver detoxification capacity and toxic burden, hormone imbalances, energy production capacity, nutrient status and most importantly, immune imbalances which promote autoimmune states. More specifically, Functional Medicine approaches autoimmune disease by identifying the triggers and mediators of the autoimmune condition, modulating the self-destructive immune responses and enhancing the body’s ability to recover from flare-ups.
There are 4 areas of management of autoimmune conditions in the Functional Medicine approach:
- Identifying and avoiding triggers of autoimmune responses
- Modulating the autoimmunity and reducing tissue destruction
- Enhancing and supporting recovery from flare-ups
- Addressing associated conditions that promote autoimmune responses
Identifying and avoiding the triggers of autoimmune responses
Lab testing is a critical first step in identifying the extent of systemic inflammation and ruling out many environmental insults which act as triggers and mediators of autoimmunity, such as chronic infection, heavy metal toxicity and decreased capacity to perform liver detoxification.
Food sensitivities can also promote inflammation and potentially drive autoimmune responses.
Identifying and addressing these issues is critical in autoimmune patients to minimize damage and promote restorative function.
Modulating the autoimmunity and reducing tissue destruction
Functional Medicine addresses diet and lifestyle issues as well as using anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating herbs and nutritional compounds to decrease immune responses to self-tissue.
Identifying the triggers of autoimmunity and modulating the immune response can have powerful long-term positive effects on slowing or stopping tissue destruction and improving quality of life.
Enhancing and supporting recovery from flare-ups
There are a number of natural compounds that help support a faster recovery by breaking down offending triggers, increasing blood flow to target tissue, and dampening the immune response.
Addressing associated conditions that promote autoimmune responses
Increased intestinal permeability and compromised gut integrity appears to precede AI disease and predisposes to immune activation and chronic inflammation. Assessment and proper restoration of the integrity of the intestinal barrier is crucial in managing autoimmune conditions.
The following nutritional interventions are usually used:
Anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating compounds
Anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating herbs and nutritional compounds to decrease excessive immune responses can very often be helpful.
Nutrients to regenerate the epithelial lining
There are various plant compounds, vitamins and minerals that have been shown to have a restorative effect on a damaged intestinal barrier and a proper selection and regime can be very effective.
Nutrients to decrease food sensitivities
Food sensitivities are very common in people with autoimmune disease. Compounds that have been shown to decrease specific immune responses in the gut related to food sensitivity can be helpful.
There is growing evidence that increased intestinal permeability plays a pathogenic role in various autoimmune diseases. Identifying the existence of intestinal permeability and addressing this condition, leads to a more comprehensive and satisfactory outcome in the autoimmune patient.
Dietary Intervention
Some foods can provoke immune responses and promote attacks against the thyroid, including gluten (found in wheat), corn, soy and dairy. Food sensitivity testing helps to identify and avoid these foods.