The most common form of autoimmunity involving the thyroid is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, where the immune system begins to attack the thyroid. This decreases the capacity that the thyroid can produce hormones, leading to lower circulation of thyroid hormones. This leads to weight gain, tiredness, and fatigue. These symptoms are relatively common in practice as there are many things in a modern, western lifestyle that suppress the thyroid. What happens when there is the opposite of these symptoms? In Graves’ disease, patients often suffer from inability to gain weight, excessive body heat, and rampant anxiety and nervousness. In this article, we discuss how the immune system’s response to various toxins can lead to Graves’ disease.
Mechanism of Graves’ Disease
Autoimmunity can affect the thyroid in ways other than Hashimoto’s. Instead of the immune system attacking the thyroid, Graves’ disease occurs when immune proteins attach to thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor sites on the thyroid. This triggers the thyroid to produce excess hormone, leading to excessive amounts in circulation. Thyroid hormone reacts with all cells in the body to regulate their mitochondria. The mitochondria produce energy for cells to use. When they work in excess, there is excess energy expenditure, leading to increased body temperature, weight loss, and feelings of restlessness and anxiety.
How do we fix it?
Graves’ disease is a culmination of symptoms due to underlying autoimmunity leading to excess thyroid hormone production. Knowing that, do we treat the symptoms of weight loss, anxiety, and trouble sleeping? As with all conditions, we need to find what is driving the symptoms and solve that problem. Autoimmunity is driven by chronic exposure to various toxins that lead to a heightened immune response, leading to antibody production. These toxins can be foods, metals, pesticides, allergens, parasites, and more. Identifying which of these things is driving the autoimmunity and eliminating it will often lead to a decrease or resolution of symptoms. Our world is full of all sorts of things that are toxic. I find it is not uncommon to find autoimmune responses in patients.
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