According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, more than 27 million Americans suffer from thyroid dysfunction, many of whom go undiagnosed. Of the detected cases of hypothyroidism, more than half are due to Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks and destroys thyroid tissue. Thyroid replacement hormones are usually the first line of defense for many doctors, prescribed in the hopes of wiping out a number of symptoms immediately. Why wouldn’t we first try to investigate what caused the thyroid to become depressed initially? Could it be irregular immune function (due to leaky gut), genetics, poor blood sugar metabolism, adrenal problems, birth control or other hormonal problems, prescription drugs or vegetarian/vegan diets?
Hypothyroidism And Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
