What is Hashimoto's thyroiditis?

Hashimoto's in your reports

Look for anti-TPO antibodies on your thyroid report; most people with Hashimoto's have them. TSH, T4 and T3 show how well your thyroid is keeping up. Each lab prints its own range.

Why Hashimoto's matters

Hashimoto's is 4 to 10 times more common in women than in men and most often starts between 30 and 50.

Many people have no symptoms at first. Later come:

• tiredness and weight gain
• feeling cold
• constipation
• dry skin or hair
• heavy or irregular periods
• sometimes a painless swelling in the neck called a goitre

It runs in families and is more likely if you have other autoimmune conditions like coeliac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or type 1 diabetes.

What helps with Hashimoto's

Thyroid hormone medicine from your doctor is the usual treatment once your levels drop.

With food:

• The key point is iodine: you need some, but large amounts from seaweed or iodine supplements can make Hashimoto's worse, so talk to your doctor before using any.
• Researchers are still studying selenium and vitamin D, with no firm advice yet.
• Build meals around whole foods, protein and vegetables.

Keep active and well rested.