It might sound like a strange thing to say but it's true.  I haven't always felt this way. As a matter of fact, it's taken years for me to get to this point. And of course, at times I still struggle with the physical and emotional aspects of the diagnosis.  After all, I am human. But it’s my humanness that reminds me of how far I’ve come and allows me to recognize the beauty in the journey. Being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s has actually saved my health and has given me a renewed outlook on life. Through this journey I’ve learned so much about myself; I’d like to share the things this journey has unveiled taught me. 

• It is a myth that the thyroid and immune system were attacking itself. When I really began looking deeper into what was Hashimoto’s, I came to understand that my thyroid and immune system were doing their job and were attacking an underlying virus.  All this time my body was fighting like crazy on my behalf to heal me and wasn’t fighting against me. This journey taught me that my body was not failing me.  In hindsight, I was failing to provide my body with the resources it needed to fight a fair fight. 

• With proper nutrition, Hashimoto's can be put into remission, and you can heal of the symptoms. This mission to find healing completely changed the way I had viewed food for most of my life. I used to look at food as something evil because "it" made me gain weight and anything "healthy" was boring and bland. But now, because of my change in mindset regarding food, I see food as healing, fueling, and never boring. Talk about a shift in mindset!

• Traditional exercise programs and fad diet plans can actually be more harmful to the thyroid. There are certain exercises that aid in optimal thyroid health. I’ve learned how to incorporate a more balanced approach to fitness that helps me to burn calories, build lean muscle, and rev up metabolism without causing stress on the body that could lead to a spike in cortisol levels and hormonal imbalances. 

• I was not crazy, and this was not all in my head! Indeed, the symptoms I was feeling were an indication of a serious health problem that wasn't being properly diagnosed or treated. Being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s put a label to the symptoms I was experiencing, gave me a sense of validation, and opened the pathway for finding a means to treat the symptoms and get my life back. 

• Not all doctors are created equal. You have to find the doctor who will take this journey with you and truly have your health in their best interest. One who will research and not be afraid to try holistic measures when medical science is not working. Listen to your gut on this one. If you are feeling like your provider isn’t taking you seriously when it comes to finding the root cause of your symptoms, then find one who will.  

• Literally everything is affected by Hashimoto's. My physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being were all affected by the effects this disease would have on my body, mind, and soul. When I was first diagnosed years ago, I didn’t know how to heal of this disease properly through nutrition and exercise. I wasted many years feeling inadequate, not enough, lost many relationships, and time spent making memories with my kids. In return, this journey has helped me to embrace who I am and the life I am living and to appreciate those around me.  It’s helped me to realize that I am enough. My body is enough. My body is strong and doing what it was designed to do…heal. 

• I love my body. For the first time in my life, I can say that. I don't just mean physical appearance. I mean that I love how strong my body really is when challenged and pushed. I’ve learned that I can do hard things both mentally and physically. 

• Self-care is not an option. Living a healthy lifestyle is not only normal but it is a form of self-care. It’s making sure you are providing your body with the tools needed to be its healthiest and fittest self. This journey has taught me how to let go of feeling guilty for taking the time to do what my health depends on. 

• A greater sense of self.  I have never been more in tune with my body. My body lets me know when I've eaten things that maybe I shouldn't have, when I need to exercise more or differently, or when it needs to rest. I’m learning to give myself grace and to listen to the cues given by my body as to what it needs. 

• The mind shift is just as great as the physical transformation and healing. There is no way around this...you have to open your mind up to the fact that your body is capable of healing.  That you are capable of doing the things necessary to find the healing you desire and deserve. Every day requires me to be mindful and to be fully present in my healing. I’m learning to let go of limiting beliefs regarding nutrition, fitness, and my autoimmune diagnosis. 

• A purpose and a passion for helping others heal. As I began to find my own healing, I also found my purpose and passion for wanting to help others find their healing. Now it's my mission to help educate others and create a greater awareness surrounding a Hashimoto’s diagnosis.

• Discipline, dedication, and motivation are thankfully all learned skillsets.  I've come to understand that these qualities are learned. These are choices we make. We choose to have one or all three and at times we will waver. I may not always be motivated, but I'm dedicated enough to put the discipline in because I know my health depends on it.

• I am not alone. Having an autoimmune disease like Hashimoto’s is like having an invisible disease. On the surface you appear to be fine making it hard for those around you to understand exactly what it is you are going through.  At times it can feel very isolating.  The truth is there are approximately 14 million people who suffer with Hashimoto's and that number, sadly, is growing.  

In order to fully heal, it is extremely important to understand what it is you are trying to heal from.  So, with blood work that has confirmed your Hashimoto’s diagnosis, you already know that your antibodies are elevated and that a virus is either currently present or you are still fighting a past viral infection. Most individuals who suffer from Hashimoto’s have had either a current or past case of the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV).  (See the section on what labs to have your provider pull to determine if you are indeed dealing with EBV.)

EBV is another one of those viruses that often gets misdiagnosed because its symptoms mimic multiple viruses.  What makes EBV a stealth virus is that it lies dormant within the body before any notable symptoms appear. All the while that it is lying dormant it is replicating itself and growing. Basically, this stealth virus waits for you to become vulnerable due to emotional or physical stress, and then it attacks making its presence known.  (We will discuss what these emotional and physical triggers are in a bit.) The scary thing is that EBV can lie dormant within the body for weeks, months, or even years.  All the while it is dormant, we are unknowingly feeding and helping the virus grow with poor nutrition and lifestyle.  The first sign that you are dealing with EBV is a confirmed case of mononucleosis (mono). This is when the virus is the most contagious and easily spreadable. Symptoms can range in varying degrees and severity and last for a couple weeks to a few months or longer. 

Common symptoms of mono are: 

• Fatigue
• Sore Throat
• Fever
• Headaches
• Rashes
• Body aches or joint aches and inflammation  

So, what wakes up EBV from its dormant state which prompts it to manifest itself into various chronic illnesses, such as Hashimoto’s?   

Life.  

You might be asking yourself exactly what I mean by such a simple answer. What wakes this virus from its dormant state are the trials and tribulations of life.  Going through a break-up or divorce, caring for sick loved ones, the passing of loved ones, our own injuries or illness, financial strain, loss of a job. I could go on and on.  These life events that bring about struggle, trials, and emotionally hard and stressful times in your life are the catalysts that propel the virus to go into an active growth state. You may be totally unaware of this until one day, just out of the blue, you feel “off.” This feeling continues to manifest until all of sudden you are having full-fledge chronic illness symptoms that you can no longer manage.    

What do these life events have to do with triggering EBV? 

Everything. 

These life-altering events trigger a physiological response which ramps up adrenaline which in turn will increase cortisol production and can cause surges in hormones. Adrenaline helps to fuel the virus. When there is a peak in adrenaline for a substantial period of time or multiple bouts of time, the virus knows that this is the moment when the immune system isn’t as strong as normal. It then takes the opportunity to proliferate throughout the body, eventually attacking the central nervous system.   

In addition to the above, there are also non-emotional triggers as well that we are exposed to. One of the biggest is heavy metal toxins.  Heavy metal toxicity occurs when there is excessive exposure to a heavy metal or metals that affect the normal function of the body. Examples of heavy metals that can cause toxicity include lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and chromium. Exposure may occur through the diet, medications, the environment, or in the course of work or play. A common exposure is the removal of old mercury-based dental amalgam fillings which can put mercury into the bloodstream. Other forms of mercury include seafood and large fish, such as tuna and swordfish.   Non-emotional triggers include mold, pesticides and herbicides including DDT, home insecticides, prescription medications, recreational drug abuse, red algae found in lakes or oceans, run off from land dumps, insomnia, insect bites and stings, cleaners etc.   

I know that upon reading this you might feel a bit overwhelmed, and your anxiety may be building because it seems like everything around you is toxic.  But keep in mind, that these are just triggers to the virus, not the cause.  Triggers are what can make EBV, which is already inside of you, go into an active growth state. Don’t move forward in fear; instead use this knowledge to your advantage.  Knowledge is power.  Learning how to avoid, minimize, and cope with whatever life throws at you will help to not only further your healing, but help you to go through life’s hardships unscathed and better prepared for the next trial and tribulation.      

• Adrenal gland - An endocrine gland responsible for producing various hormones including adrenaline, aldosterone, and cortisol.
• Antibody - A highly specialized protein produced by the immune system that corresponds to a specific antigen.
• Antigen - Any potentially pathogenic material that enters the body.
• Central nervous system - In the human body it is the system that consist of the nerves, spinal cord, and the brain.
• Endocrine system - It is the network of glands and organs responsible for producing hormones that help to regulate metabolism, tissue function, growth and development, reproduction, mood, and sleep.
• Goiter - A swelling that forms on the front or side of the neck; can be one of the first signs of Hashimoto's disease or hypothyroidism.
• Goitrogen - A substance found in certain foods that can impair the ability of the thyroid to produce thyroid hormones.
• Hyperthyroidism - An overactive thyroid gland.
• Hypothyroidism - An underactive thyroid gland.
• Leukocytes - White blood cells; the active cells of the immune system that work to destroy harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.
• Metabolism - A term used to describe the chemical and biological reactions that take place in the human body in order to sustain life.
• Oxidative stress - An imbalance in the production of free radicals and the body's ability to counteract or detoxify their harmful effects.
• Pituitary gland - The gland responsible for controlling growth and development. Also supports the function of endocrine glands.
• Synthetic thyroid supplement - A manufactured thyroid hormone supplement; the most common type of thyroid replacement therapy as treatment for thyroid disease.
• Thyroid gland - The butterfly-shaped endocrine gland that is located in the lower front of the neck. Responsible for producing thyroid hormones and for helping the body to utilize energy efficiently by regulating body temperature and maintaining the healthy function of the heart, brain, muscles, and other organs.
• Thyroid hormone replacement therapy - The most common treatment for Hashimoto's disease; uses synthetic or natural thyroid hormone supplements to stimulate or restore healthy thyroid function.

Note: Definitions of terms were taken from the Glossary of Important Terms in Kate Barrington's The Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Healing Diet. pgs. 231-234