Are you dealing with chronic fatigue or brain fog?

Have you gained weight – even though you haven’t made any diet changes?

Perhaps you have more aches and pains than usual, including muscle weakness, and stiffness?

Perhaps you’ve also been feeling down lately, dealing with blue moods you’ve never had?

Whether you suffer from all these symptoms or just 2 to 3, you could suffer from Hashimoto’s thyroiditis… an autoimmune condition affecting the thyroid.

The sad truth is that millions of people suffer from chronic autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto’s (without even knowing it!), and many aren’t receiving the right care or, worse, have been misdiagnosed.

Also called Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Hashimoto’s disease is a common autoimmune illness – a disorder in which the immune system turns on the body’s tissues, specifically the thyroid gland.

Autoimmunity occurs when an overburdened immune system becomes hypersensitized, attacking healthy tissues along with foreign invaders.

So, how do you become so sensitized? Typically, your immune system is already very busy fighting off various invaders – including allergens, toxins, bacteria, and viruses.

Unfortunately, many people overload their immune systems daily, which is very harmful to your delicate thyroid gland.

Over time, when your thyroid gland becomes compromised, this can lead to reduced thyroid function, also referred to as hypothyroidism. With this condition, the thyroid does not produce enough hormones for the body’s needs, which is why people have extreme fatigue and other symptoms mentioned above.

This is critical because your thyroid gland significantly impacts your energy levels and many other metabolic functions. Located at the base of your neck below your Adam’s apple, the thyroid gland makes hormones that control your metabolism, heart rate, digestive function, muscle control, brain development, mood, and bone maintenance. The thyroid also regulates how quickly your body uses calories from the foods you eat.

Hashimoto’s Disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States – in fact, cases of thyroid disease have skyrocketed in recent years. While it primarily affects adult women, it can also occur in children. The onset usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 50, and you may be more susceptible based on your genetics, lifestyle, and diet.

Hashimoto’s requires various testing – including a blood test to check your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and T3 and T4 levels. The presence of thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies also serves as a marker for thyroid disease.

At New Life Wellness, I may also recommend additional testing such as gut health tests, food sensitivities, and further hormone testing beyond basic blood tests to see the current state of your metabolism. This can also reveal issues with other hormones – including your stress and sleep hormones and foods that you may be reacting to.

So, if you experience the signs of Hashimoto’s yet have been told that your thyroid levels are normal, contact me for a second opinion. While low thyroid function is prevalent, it is not normal – Florence Fakayode, MSN, FNP-C by New Life Wellness, specializes in helping people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and other autoimmune disorders using a wide range of therapies, including bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned or are concerned that you may be at risk for Hashimoto’s, schedule a free discovery call so I can go over your questions and explore the next steps regarding hormone testing.