Hashimoto’s disease, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disorder involving chronic inflammation of the thyroid, a small gland at the base of your neck. The disease occurs when your immune system attacks your thyroid. As a result, the ability of your thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones gets impaired, which eventually leads to an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism.
More and more people are getting diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease. In fact, it has become one of the most widely known autoimmune diseases and the most common hormonal disorder.
Hashimoto’s disease tends to run in families because of inherited changes within genes. However, the environment can impact your thyroid health. Here are some challenges that can trigger this disease:
1. Exposure to specific synthetic pesticides
Synthetic insecticides and fungicides, particularly the herbicide paraquat and the pesticides maneb and mancozeb, can increase your risk of developing hypothyroidism. It can occur when your food is pretreated with harmful pesticides or take place even from before you were born. Pesticide exposure makes your thyroid gland bigger, increases your TPO antibodies, and causes you to experience other symptoms of autoimmune disease.
2. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
PCBs are a group of man-made organic chemicals that contain carbon, hydrogen and chlorine atoms. They are used in various industrial and commercial applications such as pigments, dyes, and carbonless copy paper; electrical, heat transfer, and hydraulic equipment; and plasticizers in paints, plastics, and rubber products.
These organic chemicals were severely restricted or banned because of environmental concerns. But before the ban, PCBs were dumped in lakes and rivers. Because of this, they are found in food and human biological samples, such as fish, meat, milk, eggs, blood, milk, and fat.
Eating food with PCBs is the main point of entry into the body. PCBs can accumulate in the body over time when they get transferred from mothers to their children through milk. Since they are very soluble in fats, they can be stored in animal fat cells and remain there. They are believed to reduce the concentration of thyroid hormones in the bloodstream.
3. Changes in the cleanliness of the environment
Microorganisms tried to invade bodies, and the human immune system coevolved to fight them off. But over the years, the environment has turned increasingly hygienic and left the immune system without any invaders to fight against. This is why people began developing various allergies and autoimmune diseases, including Hashimoto’s disease.
How Do Doctors Detect the Disease?
This condition has no unique signs, and it usually progresses very slowly over several years. In fact, many people with this disorder may not have any symptoms early on. Doctors detect it by testing the thyroid function.
At Health Optimizing Langley, we can identify the root causes of Hashitomo’s disease. Our advanced technology works by measuring your cell activity and inflammation responses in your body. Our wellness programs also support the treatment to boost your overall health.
Conclusion
Some challenges imposed through the environment can trigger Hashimoto’s disease. You can get started in improving your wellness by familiarizing yourself with them and taking care of your thyroid health by considering undergoing an entire body scan that can help in creating your personalized wellness plan.
Kickstart your health and provide support for your treatment with our Bioscan in Surrey. Book an appointment today!
