Weight problems, fatigue, hair loss and moreHashimoto diagnosis! What thyroid disease means to me

Thyroid: small organ, big impact!

The thyroid – also known as the butterfly organ – is located in the middle of the neck. It is just about the size of a thumb. However, their small size in no way reflects their relevance in the human body. Because the thyroid is responsible for producing hormones that control important body functions. “They have an effect on the heart and circulation, expand the blood vessels, accelerate the heartbeat and regulate blood pressure. But they also activate fat and connective tissue metabolism, the sweat and sebum glands of the skin and kidney and intestinal activity,” explains the Cologne Thyroid Center on its website.

So you can well imagine that a dysfunctional thyroid can wreak havoc on the body.

Hashimoto thyroiditis: what is behind the thyroid disease?

Weight problems, fatigue, hair loss – if my thyroid is going crazy, it's these symptoms that make me sit up and take notice. They usually occur when my body becomes unbalanced due to the autoimmune disease Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

But what exactly is behind thyroid disease?
My thyroid is chronically inflamed. This is because my immune system produces antibodies not only against bacteria or viruses, but also against the body's own cells in the thyroid. This goes so far that it is gradually destroyed as the disease progresses and it can no longer fully fulfill its function.

What triggers Hashimoto’s?
First of all, there must be a genetic predisposition to the autoimmune disease. The fact that the disease actually breaks out depends on other factors. Triggers can be, for example:

• Hormonal fluctuations (pregnancy, puberty, …)

• Too much iodine consumption

• Stress or psychological strain

• Infections

• Medication

• Deficiency of certain vitamins (selenium, zinc, iron, …)

And the female gender is also a factor that promotes the outbreak of the disease. Because In fact, more women than men suffer from Hashimoto's. According to the German Thyroid Center, they are affected about nine times more often than men.

Reading tip: How do I recognize a thyroid malfunction?

Video tip: Why does the female body so often fight against itself?

Medications, routines, examinations: how to live with Hashimoto's?

In my case, the ultrasound shows clearly that part of my thyroid has died – in these areas the organ has a kind of leopard pattern. My doctor once explained to me that this is typical for thyroid glands affected by Hashimoto's.

Because Hashimoto's is an autoimmune disease, it is incurable. The aim of treatment is not to cure the disease, but to ensure that the body continues to receive the vital substances, the hormones, that the thyroid is supposed to supply. This is possible with targeted measures. Since my diagnosis around twelve years ago, the following has been true for me:

• Not to consume too much iodine. For example, instead of iodine salt, I use the classic one when I go shopping Salt without added iodine.

• Every morning – 30 minutes before breakfast – I have to swallow a small tablet called Euthyrox. The active ingredient levothyroxine contained in the medication is an artificial thyroid hormone.

• I also take the dietary supplements selenium and zinc. Selenium has an anti-inflammatory effect and is said to have a positive effect on autoimmune reactions in the body. Zinc is also said to support the immune system.

• Every few months I have to have blood tests and a thyroid ultrasound. A blood sample is taken to see whether the dose of Euthyrox is still sufficient or possibly even too high or too low. The need can change at any time – for example depending on the seasons. The ultrasound also records the condition of the thyroid in order to identify possible changes.

With this treatment, my doctor and I now have the disease well under control. Nonetheless: The fact that I'll never get rid of Hashimoto's is reminded every morning by the little tablet without which my body would be lost.

Possible consequences of untreated hypothyroidism can include cardiovascular diseases and, very rarely, impaired consciousness and even coma.

Hashimoto and celiac disease: one disease rarely comes alone

Hashimoto’s isn’t the only autoimmune disease I live with. Additionally, I have Celiac disease. This is a chronic intestinal disease that is triggered by the body's immune response to the adhesive protein gluten. It is contained in many types of grain such as spelt, rye or wheat and causes inflammation of the small intestine in those affected after consumption.

The villi, small folds in the intestines through which nutrients contained in food are transported into the body, recede as a result of the inflammation. As a result, fewer and fewer nutrients can be absorbed as the disease progresses, which can result in an undersupply.

Reading tip: For me, gluten-free is not a fad, but vital!

The amazing thing: It's no coincidence that I have Hashimoto's AND celiac disease. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is one of the diseases that occur particularly frequently together with celiac disease. According to the German Celiac Disease Society, Hashimoto’s “is particularly common in up to eight percent of celiac disease patients.”

But even if they don't have celiac disease, Hashimoto's patients are often recommended to eat a low-gluten or gluten-free diet. The reason? The Center for Thyroid Diseases explains: “We have repeatedly found that patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can experience a significant reduction in symptoms when given a low-gluten diet.”

Even if you have to change your life a little after being diagnosed with Hashimoto's, once the disease has been discovered and the patient has adjusted to the medication, you can live well with it.

Source used: own RTL research, Thyroid Center Cologne, German Celiac Disease Society