Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system actually attacks the thyroid. This leads to hypothyroidism – or an under-active thyroid. So, for women with Hashimoto’s disease, the thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones for the body. This can lead to a whole slew of health problems, including fatigue, weight gain and depression – just to name a few! And even though Hashimoto’s disease is a thyroid problem, the gut has a big role to play, too. By healing the gut, you can help to prevent and heal Hashimoto’s disease. 

Inflammation and Hashimoto’s disease

Many health experts believe that inflammation is the root cause of all disease – and that goes for Hashimoto’s disease, too. But the inflammation doesn’t start in the thyroid.

According to women’s health expert, Aviva Romm, M.D., “One of the most common sources of inflammation that eventually leads to autoimmune conditions [like Hashimoto’s disease] is “leaky gut.”

How leaky gut can lead to Hashimoto’s disease

The intestines are lined with mucosa, which lets nutrients pass from the intestine into the body. But if the mucosa is constantly exposed to inflammatory foods, these foods can leak out of the gut and into the body. 

This is where the name “leaky gut” comes from. Once these inflammatory substances leak out of the intestines, your body creates antibodies to fight against them. The only problem is, these antibodies start to attack the body, too. 

In some cases, the antibodies start to attack the thyroid. 

Therefore, if you suspect that you have a thyroid problem or if you’ve already been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease, consider your gut. 

If you have inflammation in the gut, or “leaky gut”, you can repair the gut, and also address the thyroid problems, too.