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

iThei mdcdaelcinfd o c elllllrlllll tiThcl elThhlThscd mmshblkdho c dhp

Score   Interpretation

Score Risk Category

Percent

Hypothyroid Within

Five Years

0–7 Low 1.6%

8–10 Medium 12.2%

11–15 High 30.8%

16–21 Very High 85.7%

Adapted from Strieder TGA, Tijssen JGP, Wenzel BE, Endert E, Wiersinga WM. Prediction of
progression to overt hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism in female relatives of patients with autoim-
mune thyroid diseases using the Thyroid Events Amsterdam (THEA) score. Arch Intern Med. Aug
11–25, 2008;168(15).

Antibody Memory

IgG subclass antibodies have a half-life of twenty-one days, and they stick
around on immune cells for two to three months. They need constant
“reminders” in the form of an antigen to continue production. If the
antigen is removed, the antibodies will go away as well. The time period
required for them to completely forget about the antigen and disappear
is nine to twelve months.^5

The following things need to be in place for the antibodies to forget about
the thyroid:

1. The thyroid stops expressing TPO.


2. The thyroid cells are not damaged and able to regenerate.


3. There are no substances that look like TPO (glandulars, gluten, in-
   fections, or other triggers, depending on the person).


4. The immune system is balanced.


5. The autoimmune cells are confused by a decoy (optional).

Some of these requirements are quick and easy, while others take time
to achieve.