Mainstream’s idea of Hashimoto’s

If anyone in mainstream does actually acknowledge the markers which indicate Hashimoto’s, almost all of them will claim there is nothing we can do. The idea is that our immune system is attacking our thyroid for unknown reasons and all we can do is supplement thyroid hormones.

This page is an extension of my main page about Hashimotos at whyiodine.com/hashimotos where I cover my view of Hashi’s in general. In an attempt to keep that page a little shorter, I have created this page to talk about mainstream’s view of Hashi’s.

By “mainstream’s view” I mean what we’ll likely run into if we go to the doctor or speak to just about anyone in modern medical’s ideologies. Read my main Hashimoto’s page for my view about this situation which points to more information including symptoms.

How is Hashimoto’s diagnosed?

A thyroid peroxidase antibody test or anti-thyroglobulin antibody test can indicate anti-thyroid immune activity. These tests may have different ranges depending which lab runs them, so each test has a specific threshold to indicate Hashimoto’s or not.

If we have elevated anti-thyroid immune activity, Hashimoto’s is very likely. Doctors will usually confirm this with a TSH and Free T4 test. If TSH is elevated, it’s saying our metabolism is asking for more thyroid hormone. And if our T4 is low, it indicates that our thyroid is not keeping up with metabolism’s demand.

Mainstream definitions of Hashimoto’s

I’ve pulled together some common views from popular mainstream health websites.

Some of these pages mention other very important nutrients involved in thyroid conditions. But they then claim there isn’t enough information available to bother looking further into each.

If we ignore the fact that our body is made of and runs on nutrients, their info makes plenty of sense.

In Hashimoto’s disease, immune-system cells lead to the death of the thyroid’s hormone-producing cells. The disease usually results in a decline in hormone production (hypothyroidism). ¹

Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disorder that can cause hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid. Rarely, the disease can cause hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid. The immune system makes antibodies that attack the thyroid gland. Large numbers of white blood cells, which are part of the immune system, build up in the thyroid. The thyroid becomes damaged and can’t make enough thyroid hormones. ²

Thyroiditis is when your thyroid gland becomes irritated. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common type of this health problem. It is an autoimmune disease. It occurs when your body makes antibodies that attack the cells in your thyroid. The thyroid then can’t make enough of the thyroid hormone. ³

Hashimoto’s disease can lead to hypothyroidism, when the thyroid gland is affected and gradually stops producing enough hormones to keep the body working properly. ⁴

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. It is an autoimmune disorder involving chronic inflammation of the thyroid. ⁵

1. Hashimoto’s disease – https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hashimotos-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20351855
2. Hashimoto’s Disease – https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/hashimotos-disease
3. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis – https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/hashimotos-thyroiditis
4. Hashimoto’s Disease – https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17665-hashimotos-disease
5. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (Lymphocytic Thyroiditis) – https://www.thyroid.org/hashimotos-thyroiditis/