🦋Could Your Thyroid Be the Hidden Cause of Your Fatigue?

You’re tired all the time. Your hair feels thinner. Your weight creeps up despite eating well. Maybe your skin’s dry, your periods are heavy, or your memory isn’t what it used to be. Sound familiar? If so, your thyroid — a small butterfly-shaped gland in your neck — could be the culprit.

One of the most common underlying causes of an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis — and it often goes undiagnosed until it’s already wreaking havoc on your body.

Let’s dive into what Hashimoto’s is, how it develops, the many ways it can affect your health, and what might actually be triggering it in the first place.

What Is Hashimoto’s?

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition — meaning the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. Over time, this damage reduces your thyroid’s ability to produce the hormones your body needs to run efficiently.

Named after Japanese surgeon Hakaru Hashimoto, who first described it in 1912, it’s also known as chronic autoimmune or lymphocytic thyroiditis.

It affects both men and women (even children), but is most common in women aged 30 to 50 — and women are at least 10 times more likely to be diagnosed than men.

Why the Thyroid Matters

Your thyroid is a major player in your body’s endocrine(hormonal) system. It helps regulate energy levels, brain function, digestion, skin health, body temperature, and even your heartbeat. So when it’s notworking properly, the impact can be felt everywhere.

In Hashimoto’s, the thyroid often becomes enlarged and inflamed. This can lead to a goitre (a swollen thyroid) for some, which may cause discomfort or difficulty swallowing. Eventually, the gland may shrink, becoming less functional or even non-functional — leaving your body running on empty.

Symptoms of Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism

Because your thyroid affects so many systems, the symptoms can vary widely and may develop slowly, making it hard to spot. Some of the most common signs include:

• Persistent fatigue and sluggishness
• Dry skin, brittle nails, and hair thinning or hair loss
• Weight gain despite normal eating habits
• Cold hands and feet or intolerance to cold
• Constipation
• Depression and memory problems
• Heavy or irregular periods
• Hoarse voice
• Slow heart rate, high blood pressure
• Muscle cramps or weakness
• Trouble conceiving
• Puffy face, enlarged tongue
• Sleep apnoea

You might have only a few of these symptoms, or quite a few— and they may be brushed off as “just stress” or “getting older.”

Testing for Hashimoto’s

A standard thyroid blood test (usually just TSH) isn’t enough to detect Hashimoto’s. To properly understand what’s going on, a full thyroid panel is essential. This might include:

• TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone)
• Free T3 (fT3) and Free T4 (fT4)
• Reverse T3 (rT3)
• Total T3 and T4
• Thyroid antibodies (TPO and Tg)

High thyroid antibodies often point to autoimmune activity. Other markers may show if stress, liver function, or hormone imbalances are involved.

Interestingly, in the early stages, test results can swing between normal and abnormal — and some people even appear hyperthyroid at first, due to sudden hormone dumps to the bloodstream when thyroid cells are attacked.

What Causes Hashimoto’s?

Like many autoimmune diseases, there isn’t one single cause of Hashimoto’s — but rather a combination of factors. These include:

1. Dental Work

Dental materials such as implants, fillings, and braces including the current trend Invisalign, often have chemicals and toxins, including mercury, nickel, and other heavy metals. These materials can slowly leak heavy metals into the body. Root canals or past tooth extractions may also create small infections in the jaw that feed chronic inflammation.

Many people report their symptoms worsened after major dental procedures — especially if fillings were removed.

2. Infections

Viral and bacterial infections — such as Epstein-Barr (EBV),herpes, and Lyme — have been found in thyroid tissue and are known to trigger autoimmune responses. Even past exposure could play a role.

3. Nutrient Deficiencies

A lack of key vitamins and minerals can hinder thyroid function. Important nutrients include:

• Selenium
• Zinc
• Vitamin A, D, E
• Iodine
• B vitamins
• Magnesium
• Protein

Poor diet, poor absorption, or gut issues can all contribute to deficiencies.

4. Poor Gut Health

Did you know about the thyroid-gut axis? A leaky or inflamed gut can trigger immune responses that mistakenly target the thyroid. Between 10–40% of people with Hashimoto’s also have gastric problems.

A “leaky gut” allows toxins and undigested food into the bloodstream, confusing the immune system and setting off widespread inflammation.

5. Toxin Exposure

We’re exposed to toxins every day — in food, water, air, and even skincare. Over time, they build up and strain the body’s detox systems.

Common offenders include:

• Mold
• Heavy metals
• Pesticides like glyphosate
• EMFs
• Parasite toxins
• Bacterial endotoxins

These can all confuse or overwhelm your immune system, leading to thyroid dysfunction.

Healing Approaches: Beyond Just Medication

Conventional medicine often treats hypothyroidism with lifelong synthetic hormones (such as levothyroxine). While this can help stabilise hormone levels, it doesn’t address why the thyroid became damaged in the first place.

Holistic approach looks deeper — aiming to support detoxification, reduce inflammation, and restore balance.

Key Strategies Include:

Clearing Toxins and Infections
Using binders, herbal antimicrobials, and drainage support (e.g., colon, liver, lymph, kidneys) to eliminate hidden pathogens.

Supporting the Gut

• Remove inflammatory foods
• Repair the gut lining
• Rebalance the microbiome
• Avoid unnecessary medications
• Reduce stress

Eating for Thyroid Health
Foods to focus on:

• Bone broth
• Wild-caught fish
• Organic butter or ghee
• Clean sourced sea vegetables
• Coconut oil
• Lemons/limes
• Apple cider vinegar

Foods to reduce/avoid:

• Processed foods
• Sugary drinks
• Fried/oxidised fats
• Gluten and refined carbs
• Processed meats
• Cruciferous vegetables

What to Watch For

Hashimoto’s is a chronic condition — but not an unmanageable one. If you or someone you know is experiencing ongoing fatigue, unexplained symptoms, or general “not feeling right,” it’s worth exploring thyroid health.

The earlier you catch it, the easier it is to manage — or even reverse — through diet, lifestyle, and targeted support.

This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Always speak to a qualified health practitioner before making changes to your healthcare routine.