Understanding the symptoms, root causes, and next steps toward healing.
Do you feel exhausted all the time, struggle with weight that won’t budge, or experience brain fog that makes it hard to get through the day? You’re not alone, and you’re not imagining things. These are just a few of the symptoms that could be caused by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition that affects millions of people, especially women. Yet it’s often missed or misunderstood by conventional medicine.
In this post, we’ll break down what Hashimoto’s is, why it’s frequently overlooked, and how a functional medicine approach can help you get to the root of your symptoms and feel like yourself again.
What Is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?
Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. Over time, this leads to chronic inflammation and a gradual decline in thyroid function (hypothyroidism).
The thyroid plays a critical role in regulating metabolism, energy, mood, and more, so when it’s under attack, the ripple effects are widespread.
Why It’s Often Missed or Misunderstood
In conventional medicine, thyroid health is usually assessed using just one lab test: TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). But the problem is that TSH can appear “normal” even when someone is already experiencing symptoms of Hashimoto’s.
Without deeper testing (like free T3, free T4, and thyroid antibodies), many people are told their labs are fine, despite struggling with fatigue, weight gain, depression, constipation, hair loss, or brain fog.
Worse, even when Hashimoto’s is diagnosed, the only treatment offered is often thyroid hormone replacement, without addressing why the immune system is attacking the thyroid in the first place.
Common Symptoms of Hashimoto’s
Hashimoto’s symptoms can develop slowly and vary from person to person. Some of the most common include:
- Fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest
- Unexplained weight gain or inability to lose weight
- Constipation
- Depression or anxiety
- Cold intolerance
- Dry skin and hair loss
- Brain fog or memory issues
- Irregular or heavy periods
Because these symptoms can overlap with many other conditions, it’s easy to be misdiagnosed or dismissed.
What Causes Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis? The Functional Medicine View
Functional medicine asks a different question: What is driving the immune system to attack the thyroid in the first place?
Several root causes or triggers may be at play, including:
- Chronic stress
- Gut imbalances or intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”)
- Nutrient deficiencies (like selenium, zinc, and vitamin D)
- Environmental toxins
- Viral infections or stealth pathogens
- Food sensitivities, especially gluten and dairy
By identifying and addressing these underlying imbalances, it’s possible to calm the immune system and protect the thyroid.
There Is Hope and a Better Way
If you’ve been told “your labs are normal” but you don’t feel normal, you deserve a more thorough, thoughtful approach.
At Julian Healthcare, we understand that healing Hashimoto’s takes more than a prescription. It takes listening, testing beyond the basics, and creating a personalized plan that supports your whole body.
Whether you’ve been recently diagnosed or have been struggling for years without answers, there is hope, and healing is possible.
Want to Learn More? Watch the Full Webinar for Free
If this blog post sparked some “aha” moments for you, there’s so much more to explore. We’d love to invite you to dive deeper with our free Hashimoto’s webinar hosted by Susan Julian, NP.
In the webinar, you’ll learn:
- What labs you really need to understand your thyroid health
- Why standard treatments often fall short
- How stress, gut health, toxins, and food sensitivities all play a role
- Actionable steps you can take to start feeling better from a root-cause perspective
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or still searching for answers, this free resource is packed with empowering information to help you take the next step.