Learn Functional Medicine for Hashimoto's: Supplements & Cautions Explained
- Matthew Marcotte
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Have you been searching for answers about Hashimoto's disease? You're not alone. Many people are looking for information on how to manage this autoimmune condition, including exploring options like functional medicine, natural supplements, and understanding what might make their symptoms worse. At Pure Health in Columbus, Ohio, we believe in empowering you with knowledge to take control of your health journey. Let's break down some common questions.
How Does Functional Medicine Treat Hashimoto's Disease?
Functional medicine takes a different approach to treating Hashimoto's disease compared to conventional medicine. Instead of just focusing on managing thyroid hormone levels with medication, functional medicine practitioners look at the root cause of Hashimoto's disease. This involves understanding the complex web of factors that can contribute to the autoimmune attack on your thyroid gland.
This approach often includes:
Identifying Triggers: Functional medicine aims to pinpoint individual triggers that might be contributing to your Hashimoto's, such as gut health issues, chronic infections, stress, and dietary sensitivities.
Personalized Nutrition: Dietary changes are often a cornerstone of functional medicine for Hashimoto's. This might involve identifying and eliminating foods that cause inflammation or gut issues.
Gut Health Support: Because a significant portion of your immune system resides in your gut, functional medicine often focuses on healing and balancing the gut microbiome.
Stress Management: Chronic stress can impact the immune system. Functional medicine approaches often incorporate techniques to help manage stress effectively.
Targeted Supplementation: While not a replacement for medication, certain natural supplements may be recommended to support thyroid function, reduce inflammation, or address nutrient deficiencies.
Why Should People with Hashimoto's Avoid Ashwagandha?
You might have heard about ashwagandha as a popular adaptogen, but it's generally not recommended for people with Hashimoto's. Here's why:
Ashwagandha is known to stimulate the immune system. While this might be beneficial for some, in autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto's, the immune system is already overactive and mistakenly attacking the thyroid. Stimulating it further could potentially worsen the autoimmune attack and exacerbate symptoms.
It's crucial to understand why ashwagandha is bad for autoimmune disease. By potentially increasing immune activity, it could lead to more inflammation and damage to the thyroid gland in individuals with Hashimoto's.
What is the Best Natural Supplement for Hashimoto's?
There isn't one single "best natural supplement for Hashimoto's" that works for everyone. Supplement needs are highly individual and depend on specific deficiencies and symptoms. However, some supplements are often considered supportive for people with Hashimoto's, including:
Selenium: Important for thyroid hormone production and may help reduce thyroid antibodies.
Vitamin D: It is actually a hormone that aides in modulating the immune system. Many individuals with Hashimoto's are deficient in Vitamin D, which plays a role in immune regulation.
B Vitamins: Essential for energy production and overall well-being.
Magnesium: Involved in numerous bodily functions, including thyroid hormone conversion.
Iron: Low iron levels can sometimes be associated with thyroid issues.
It's crucial to talk to a healthcare professional at Pure Health before starting any new supplements for Hashimoto's to ensure they are appropriate for your individual needs and won't interact with any medications you're taking.
There is what's called intracellular micronutrient testing that can be done at our medical office, so we don't just guess with what nutrients are deficient or sub optimal. Call our office for more info on this type of functional testing.
What is the Root Cause of Hashimoto's Disease?
The exact root cause of Hashimoto's disease isn't fully understood, but it's believed to be a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental triggers. This means that some people are genetically more likely to develop Hashimoto's, and certain factors can then trigger the autoimmune response. (1) These triggers can include:
Genetics: Having a family history of autoimmune thyroid disease increases your risk.
Environmental Factors: Infections, stress, certain medications, and exposure to toxins have been suggested as potential triggers.
Hormonal Changes: Women are more likely to develop Hashimoto's, and hormonal shifts like those during pregnancy or menopause may play a role.
Leaky Gut: Increased intestinal permeability may contribute to inflammation and autoimmune reactions. (2)
Why Can't You Take Ashwagandha with Thyroid Medicine?
The concern about taking ashwagandha with thyroid medicine stems from its potential to influence thyroid hormone levels. Some studies suggest that ashwagandha might increase thyroid hormone production in some individuals. If you are already taking thyroid hormone replacement medication, adding ashwagandha could potentially lead to an excess of thyroid hormone in your system, causing symptoms of hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).
It's essential to avoid this potential interaction and always inform your healthcare provider about any supplements you are considering while taking thyroid medication.
Are Adaptogens Good for Hashimoto's?
Adaptogens are natural substances that are believed to help the body cope with stress. While some adaptogens might seem appealing for managing the stress often associated with chronic conditions like Hashimoto's, they aren't universally recommended.
As we discussed earlier, ashwagandha, a well-known adaptogen, is generally not advised for Hashimoto's due to its potential to stimulate the immune system. Other adaptogens might have different effects, but their impact on autoimmune thyroid disease isn't always well-understood.
Before considering any adaptogens for Hashimoto's, it's crucial to have a conversation with a knowledgeable healthcare provider at Pure Health. They can help you understand the potential risks and benefits based on your individual health status.
Taking Control of Your Hashimoto's Journey
Understanding how functional medicine treats Hashimoto's disease (3), being aware of substances like ashwagandha and why they might be problematic, exploring supportive natural supplements under guidance, and learning about the potential root cause of Hashimoto's disease are all important steps in managing this condition.
At Pure Health in Columbus, Ohio, we are dedicated to helping you navigate your health journey with personalized care and evidence-based approaches. If you're looking for support in understanding and managing your Hashimoto's, we encourage you to reach out and learn more about how we can help. Call or text our office at 614-839-1044 and schedule a functional medicine appointment to find more root cause treatments.
We see that infections can be a cause of Hashimoto's disease.
Is an H. pylori infection something to be considered? If so, what is the best treatment that you recommend?