A functional medicine approach to healing states that you must address the root causes of a disorder to truly start and maintain healing.  Autoimmune disorders (including Hashimoto’s) are generally considered to have three root causes.

1.  Genetic Predisposition

Autoimmune disorders tend to run in families, but it may not be the same disorder.  For example, you may have Hashimoto’s but your aunt may have rheumatoid arthritis.  Both are autoimmune disorders with similar main root causes but expressed individually.  But research suggests that our genetic makeup is not our fate. In other words, having
the genetic predisposition for a certain issue doesn’t mean that it will be expressed or turned on, only that it may. In fact, it’s estimated that only about 10% of our genes, such as eye colour, are determinate.  The restare subject to change.  And an area in science called epigenomicssuggests that factors such as the type of food we eat and the environment we live in can have a signifcant effect on whether specific genetic material is expressed.

2. Increased Gut Lining Permeability (‘Leaky Gut’)

A healthy gut lining normally allows only very small molecules, such as properly digested food particles and other nutrients, to pass through and enter the blood stream for circulation throughout the body.  When damaged or irritated, this protective mechanism can fail, allowing toxins, pathogens, and other undesirable molecules to pass through and draw the attention of the immune system.  This results in inflammation and can also result in the immune system attacking tissue such as the thyroid gland, eventually affecting its performance.

3. Environmental Triggers

Environmental triggers refer to toxins in the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink, and chemicals that we absorb through our skin. It also includes antibiotic use, drugs (recreational, pharmaceutical, and over-the-counter), stress, food sensitivities, pathogens, and parasites.  These triggers not only can affect the balance of our microbiome (gut bacteria) that contributes in a large way to the healthy functioning of our body, but can also affect the way our DNA is expressed, and can also damage our gut lining.

Most Functional Medicine health practitioners believe that all three conditions must exist before the disorder progresses and it can take some time for symptoms to be noticeable.  But sustainable symptom relief can only occur by identifying and addressing one’s individual root causes.

Addressing these root causes can seem daunting and there is no quick fix or magic pill or supplement.  Healing can be achieved by making healthy changes to both diet and lifestyle.  It isn’t easy but it is possible.  Knowing what to do and how to make these changes is easier when you are part of a community that is dedicated to helping each member achieve their health goals and live their best life.  I invite you to join my community – Hashimoto Healing.