What Causes Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis? Key Triggers and Risk Factors

Specialised tests identify deficiencies in the body and metabolic disorders associated with the development of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Thyroiditis, or Hashimoto’s disease, is one of the most common autoimmune diseases and significantly affects the quality of life of millions of women worldwide.

Four main factors contribute to the onset of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis:

• Slow metabolism (due to oxidation and deficiencies in vitamins and other elements)
• Disorder in glucose metabolism
• Lack of vitamin D3 and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, amino-acids, antioxidants, fatty acids, probiotics)
• Mental stress

These four factors negatively affect the function of thyroid cells. Acting for long periods, they alter the composition and morphology of thyroid cells and deregulate the functioning of the immune system.

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis & Women

It has been observed that Hashimoto’s thyroiditis mainly affects women. This is due to the particular metabolic profile of women and the multiple hormonal changes that occur throughout their lives: menarche, puberty, ovulation, menstruation, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause.

Each hormonal change directly affects the overall metabolic state of the body.

All women experience this, to a lesser or greater extent, a few days before their period, during pregnancy, or during menopause, when appetite, energy levels, mood, weight, and fluid retention change markedly.

Changes and disturbances in metabolism are directly linked to the development of autoimmune disease. Hashimoto’s is a disease with a significant metabolic background. There are four main risk factors that lead to the appearance of this specific disease:

Slow metabolism

Vitamin and micronutrient deficiencies, as well as increased oxidation, block metabolic processes related to the body’s energy production.

Dysfunction in glucose metabolism

Increased consumption of highly processed foods and sugar forces the body to secrete increasingly large amounts of insulin to maintain blood sugar levels within normal limits. Elevated insulin levels disrupt immune system function, worsen autoimmunity, and accelerate gland destruction

Lack of vitamin D3 and micronutrients

Vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, selenium, probiotics, etc. are essential for the smooth functioning of the thyroid and the production of thyroid hormones. Deficiencies in these elements are associated with an increased likelihood of developing Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Mental stress

Mental stress causes hormonal and metabolic disturbances that significantly increase the likelihood of developing autoimmunity. Although stress is not sufficient on its own to lead to autoimmunity, in the presence of significant metabolic disorders it can trigger the onset of Hashimoto’s disease.

The above four factors negatively affect the function of thyroid cells. Acting for long periods, they alter the composition and morphology of thyroid cells and deregulate the functioning of the immune system.

These changes in thyroid cell structure cause the immune system to perceive them as foreign. As a result, the immune system attacks these cells and produces antibodies against them.

Notably, hypothyroidism worsens these factors by further slowing metabolism, increasing vitamin D resistance, and impairing mood and cognitive function.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is a disease that results from the combination of genetic and epigenetic factors related to lifestyle and environment.

Advanced Lab Tests That Redefine Care for Hashimoto’s

Advanced lab tests that measure nutrient deficiencies, inflammation levels, and metabolic and thyroid health identify the precise clinical interventions needed in lifestyle and nutrition—bringing long-term and significant improvement in the majority of cases.

Kyma’s comprehensive lab panel detects indicators that identify:

• Deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and omega-3 fatty acids
• Metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance
• Inflammation levels
• The presence of disorders in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids
• The state of the gut microbiome
• Hormonal disorders and thyroid antibodies

Through our clinical experience, we have found that correcting the body’s deficiencies in vitamins and other elements, restoring metabolism, and regulating weight to normal levels can radically change the course of Hashimoto’s disease for the better and improve patients’ quality of life, shifting from steady worsening to steady improvement.

95.7% of our members report a significant improvement in their quality of life. The most common clinical benefits include weight loss and reduced fluid retention, increased energy levels, improved mood, and relief from other symptoms associated with Hashimoto’s disease.

Promptly addressing these factors is critical to halting the progression of the disease.

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Bibliographic references

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