Hashimoto\'s Thyroiditis Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause

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Unfortunately, a component of the bacteria’s cell wall resembles that of
human heart valves, and this results in the immune system mistakenly
attacking human heart valves. Known as rheumatic fever, this reaction
can be deadly and often necessitates heart valve transplants. Arnold
Schwarzenegger is the most well-known person who has been affected by
this condition, and he has had to have heart valve transplants as a result.

Bystander Effect

Another classical autoimmune theory, has been affected by suggests bac-
teria expose our “self” antigens to the immune system by damaging them
during an infection. In this case, the “self” becomes guilty by association
and hence a target for the immune system.

This theory suggests autoimmunity may result from an infection of the
thyroid by a virus that is causing damage to thyroid cells. In many cases,
the infections may be “silent,” without the person knowing they actually
have an infection. This first infection kicks off the autoimmune process.

It is possible these types of infections start off as transient thyroid in-
flammation, as in silent thyroiditis, but under the right conditions turn
into chronic cases of autoimmune thyroiditis like Hashimoto’s. We will
explore these reasons in subsequent chapters.

Infections

Various pathogens have been suggested as playing a role in the develop-
ment of Hashimoto’s, ranging from bacteria to viruses to fungi to para-
sites. Dr. Trevor Marshall, PhD, theorizes it is not merely one type of
bacteria or virus that triggers the autoimmune process but a combination
of pathogens present—sometimes compounded by a missing commensal
species—that determines the type of autoimmune disease that develops.

Bug A + Bug B = Disease C

Bug D + Bug E - Bug F = Disease G

Dr. Marshall and colleagues have found various viral, bacterial, and fun-
gal antigens present in the saliva of people with autoimmune conditions.
These people do not show signs or symptoms of being infected, yet the
agent is taking cover in their bodies.