HASHIMOTO’S DISEASE
Hashimoto’s Disease is an autoimmune disease whereby the patient’s immune system attacks and overtime destroys the thyroid gland. With Hashimoto’s Disease, the body produces antibodies known as TPO’s (Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies), which attack the thyroid gland and make it less productive. Common symptoms of Hashimoto’s Disease can include: fatigue, brain fog, feeling cold, thinning hair, brittle nails, irregular periods, weight gain, goiter(enlarged thyroid), thyroid nodules, and gut problems. Conventional Medicine will routinely run a TSH thyroid test if a patient complains of the above symptoms, and if it comes back as “normal” they will rule out Hashimoto’s Disease. However, this test is in no way conclusive. A full thyroid panel that includes testing for TPO and TGA antibodies is necessary to properly assess thyroid function, but it doesn’t stop there, evaluation of nutrient levels are also necessary to ensure the body receives all the vitamins/minerals it needs to help the thyroid operate at an optimal or at least improved level. Comprehensive testing gives Dr. Williams a more complete picture of how the thyroid and other systems of the body are operating and allows him to design a personalized plan using nutraceuticals, diet, and lifestyle changes.