iThei mdcdaelcinfd o c elllllrllll thsbc dteResearchers have identified Mycoplasma, Candida, and Epstein-Barr virus
as the infections most commonly associated with Hashimoto’s.
Hijackers
Bacteria and viruses have a way of modulating our immune system for
their own protection. They become “disguised” in our bodies, sending
messages to the immune system that prevent the immune system from
destroying them.
Thus, a pathogen may be “hiding out” in one of the target organs of an
autoimmune attack, damaging the organ and causing inflammation. The
immune system recognizes the inflammation and attacks the organ tissue
of the organ instead.
Epstein-Barr is a virus that causes mononucleosis (commonly called
“mono”) , a debilitating viral infection common among college students.
It is also known as the “kissing disease” because individuals are exposed
to the virus through the saliva of those who are infected.
Specific immune cells known as CD8+ T cells are required to fight off the
Epstein-Barr virus, however, some individuals may have a low baseline level
of these types of immune cells. Generally lower in women, CD8+ T cells
decrease with age as well as in the presence of low vitamin D intake. When
these fighter cells are low, the Epstein-Barr virus may take up residence in
our organs (such as the thyroid) and essentially hijack the organ to help the
virus hide and multiply.
Treating Infections
New autoimmune theories have established that once the antigen (trig-
ger) is removed, the antibody production subsides and the innocent part
of our bodies (in the case of Hashimoto’s the TPO enzyme) is no longer
a target.
As iodine has been identified to be a trigger for Hashimoto’s, and io-
dine intake may lead to increased inflammation of the gland, people with
Hashimoto’s may find a short-term reduction in iodine intake may help
reduce inflammation in the thyroid gland. This prevents the expression
of TPO, which is a “bystander” and gets attacked by the immune system
every time it is released. Iodine restriction also prevents the iodination
of thyroglobulin, making it less likely to become a target of the immune
system. For others, adrenal dysfunction is a trigger, and adrenal stressors
need to be eliminated to allow the body to heal.