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

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cytokines produced by Tregs—is usually associated with autoimmune
conditions.

Stress, pregnancy, and hormonal imbalances may be associated with
shifting the immune balance (more details on hormonal balance can be
found in the Triggers chapter).

Insufficient adrenal hormones can also shift the body into Th1 domi-
nance. Since our adrenal hormones become depleted during times of
stress, it is not surprising that the development of autoimmunity has
often been linked with periods of extreme or prolonged chronic stress.
We will discuss the significance of the adrenals and stress in developing
Hashimoto’s in the Adrenals chapter.

The Th2 branch of the immune system may also become overactive in the
presence of insulin surges, which lead to increased B-cell production.

Many autoimmune conditions are associated with an over-representation
of cells being differentiated into Th2 cells (antibody production). Women,
who comprise 90 percent of those affected with autoimmune conditions,
generally present a predominant Th2 cytokine profile. Hashimoto’s seems
to be associated with a predominant Th1 cytokine differentiation.

In his book, Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms? When My Lab Tests
Are Normal, Dr. Datis Kharrazian states that Hashimoto’s patients may
be afflicted with either type of imbalance, but the majority present with
a Th1 dominance.

Cellular Immunity–Mediated

(Th1)

Humoral Immunity–Mediated

(Th2)

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Multiple sclerosis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Crohn’s disease

Type 1 diabetes

Psoriasis

Giant papillary conjunctivitis

Graves’ disease

Asthma

Lupus

Seasonal allergies

Ulcerative colitis