Hashimoto’s Disease: The Infection Connection
April 10, 2015 by 123 Comments
Have you been tested for common infections associated with Hashimoto’s disease? Dr. Nikolas Hedberg has discovered that chronic infections are the most common underlying cause of Hashimoto’s disease.
Written by Dr. Nikolas R. Hedberg
Hashimoto’s disease is the most common autoimmune disease in the world and it is also the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Conventional medicine doesn’t offer treatment for Hashimoto’s other than prescription thyroid hormone which doesn’t address the autoimmunity. Autoimmune diseases are skyrocketing and one of the most common and overlooked causes of these conditions are infections.Some of the most popular alternative treatments for Hashimoto’s disease include:
- Gluten-free diets
- Leaky gut protocols
- Vitamin D
- Selenium
- Paleo-style diets
In my clinical experience working with many Hashimoto’s patients I have found that the most common underlying cause of Hashimoto’s disease is a chronic stealth infection that has been overlooked by both conventional and alternative practitioners.
Infections trigger autoimmunity by what is known as molecular mimicry which basically means that your immune system is attacking a stealth microbe such as a virus or bacteria, but the infection looks like your own body tissue such as the thyroid so your immune system attacks it as well. As long as the infection is active, the immune system will continue to attack the gland.
One of the most common infection connections with Hashimoto’s disease is the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). EBV is actually a herpes virus that most people contract when they are young causing mononucleosis aka “The Kissing Disease” which results in swollen lymph nodes and fatigue. Normally, your body fights it off and your immune system controls it for life just like chicken pox for example. However, people with Hashimoto’s disease have been shown to have a genetic deficiency in the immune cells (CD8+) that control this virus. The virus then reactivates inside the thyroid gland inducing autoimmunity via molecular mimicry. As long as the EBV is active, the autoimmunity will persist.
I find a significant number of patients with Hashimoto’s disease have reactivated EBV which is identified through a simple blood test. I use the activity of the EBV as a guide to balancing the immune system and reducing the attack on the thyroid gland.
A number of alternative treatment methods for EBV include vitamin C, selenium, Reishi mushroom extract, curcumin, and Zinc. You will notice that selenium is on the list which is highly recommended for Hashimoto’s but I think that many practitioners are treating EBV without even knowing it and seeing good results.
The second most common infection involved in Hashimoto’s disease is the bacteria Yersinia enterocolitica. Yersinia pestis is the bacteria that caused the bubonic plague which was transmitted by rat fleas but Yersinia enterocolitica is transferred by contaminated food and water. Normally, a healthy gut immune system will fight off Yersinia enterocolitica and most people think they just had some mild food poisoning or a “stomach bug.” However, in some cases, Yersinia takes hold in the gut mucosal barrier and persists without GI symptoms. Yersinia has been shown to trigger Hashimoto’s disease via molecular mimicry because it’s surface proteins look identical to thyroid tissue to the immune system.
Yersinia can be identified on a functional stool test but this method will miss most of the chronic Yersinia infections. The proper testing is done through blood antibodies against this bacteria. If Yersinia is found in the functional stool test the lab will run what’s called a “sensitivity” to a variety of herbal medicines and medications that will kill the bacteria so we know exactly what to use. If it is only found to be active through blood testing then we use a variety of herbal medicines to address it that have been shown to be effective since we don’t have the sensitivity.
The third common infection connection is also a gut bacteria known as Helicobacter pylori. H. pylori is most well-known as a cause of stomach ulcers but it can also be involved in Hashimoto’s disease via molecular mimicry. H. pylori is an opportunistic bacteria in your stomach that can grow when your immune system becomes compromised due to stress, low stomach acid, food sensitivities and imbalances in your gut bacteria known as dysbiosis.
H. pylori can be tested through stool, blood and the preferred and most sensitive breath test. The focus in controlling H. pylori is identifying why the immune system is compromised but a variety of natural compounds have been shown to be effective against this bug. Mastic gum, buffered vitamin C, quercetin, fish oil, Zinc carnosine, DGL (licorice), Saccharomyces boulardii, probiotics, berberine, NAC and oil of oregano can all work well for H. pylori. Antibiotics are of course an option but we always have to remember that antibiotics can create more dysbiosis and drug-resistant bacteria.
The above infections are the most common however there are additional infection connections to note. Hepatitis C Virus has been shown to trigger Hashimoto’s and the thyroid has been found to be a reservoir for this virus if it leaves the liver.
Borrelia burgdorferi is the bacteria that causes Lyme disease which, although the research on the connection is limited, many Lyme disease doctors in the trenches will tell you that they see quite a number of Lyme disease patients who also have Hashimoto’s disease.
Additional but more rare infection connections include Cytomegalovirus, staph and strep, Rickettsia, Q fever, HTLV-1, Herpes 1,2, and 6, Rubella/Rubeola (measles), Cocksackie B virus, Parvovirus B-19, the flu and even HIV.
If you have tried all of the usual treatment methods for Hashimoto’s but you still don’t feel well and your antibody levels just won’t come down, be sure you get tested for an infection connection to your Hashimoto’s disease. I recommend the “Big Three” which include EBV, Yersinia enterocolitica and H. pylori for most people as a starting point and the other more rare infection connections are tested based on your unique health history.
About Dr. Nikolas R. Hedberg
Dr. Nikolas R. Hedberg is a Board Certified Naturopathic Physician, Chiropractic Physician and a Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition. His practice is the Immune Restoration Center in Asheville, NC where he focuses on thyroid disorders and autoimmune diseases. He is the author of the new book The Complete Thyroid Health & Diet Guide
and he can be reached through his website www.drhedberg.com.
About Dana TrentiniWho knew that little butterfly-shaped thyroid gland at the base of my neck could affect my life so completely? I founded Hypothyroid Mom in memory of the unborn baby I lost to hypothyroidism. Winner of two 2014 WEGO Health Activist Awards: Health Activist Hero & Best In Show Twitter. *Hypothyroid Mom includes Affiliate links. Connect with me on Google+
What are the statistics on men getting Hypothyroid? I have it, but my husband has been ill for 7 months with what began as HPylori. His doctor bombarded him with 2 treatments of potent antibiotics. Along with that, he has a nerve sensitivity in his legs and feet, sometime including his lower stomach. He lost 47 lbs. and has to force himself to eat. Each time he eats, it takes him hours for his colon to digest it. He has had a bone marrow biopsy, which was non cancerous, and later this month, he will see a neurologist who may be doing a biopsy on his stomach and legs. The results will be sent to the Mayo Clinic. Again, we just wait. And while we are waiting for him, I am waiting for lab work on my T3 and T4. I requested a full panel because my doctor has never mentioned my T3 before, and after reading one of your articles, I asked her to do run it for me. A big thank you.
I agree, my endocrynologist told me the same. The reason for that? He said there are common factors for us women , namely:
1. yes, we are all women, which means we all share the same sensitive hormone system which can be disturbed very easily
2. emotions and psychological structure of women; what he meant was our psyche is very fragile and evolution programmed us to deal with little, no or different kind of stress we are dealing today- carreers, mutitasking, loads of activities… and problems. The overload may sometimes cause our body turn against us. The doctor is not being sexist it’s just teh way he wanted to point out the main reasons why woman are more likely to get Hashimotos than man- it’s our biology and spirituality which is connected (of which doctors sometimes forget). of course there are many root causes and all patients should be looked at individually. I tested myself for most of the mentioned diseases- no viruses or bugs. When I took lower dose naltrexone, it was a bingo! My antibodies dropped and I started retrieving from medication. It must have been the mental conflict I had which my body manifested. To check if it’s true I stopped using naltrexone. The symptoms of Hashimoto reversing also stopped. I have now clear evidence that in my case one of the root causes must have been mental+ unhealthy diet+ stress. Very interesting article.
you can purchase your own tests from Labcorp/Walkin Labs and AnyLabTestNow and others. Just google Order my own lab tests
Once you have your bloodwork, you can take it to ANY dr (or several!), an endocrinologist, a functional medicine dr, a naturopath. Even primary dr can tell if some levels are not in the ideal range it should be. Functional or naturopath will have a more stringent level of reading the levels, the endo may let low levels slide or say you are “within range” or not treat, when your levels ARE low enough to treat. This is why not all drs know how to diagnose properly, they don’t recognize what LOW truly is, and they may overlook something. If you have the antibodies for Hashimotos, those will show up either way and if that is seen, any of those drs should start treating you with thyroid medication, vitamin or herbal treatment, and diet adjustments. Best of luck!
I think I have had Hashimoto’s for most of my life and am now in my 50’s. I have chronic infections and fibro, too, among other things. I see an MD but also a naturopath. The medical doctor never checked me for Hashimoto’s, it was a naturopath who found the antibodies. Don’t give up until you get the answers you are looking for! I have a relative who also has it, and she was diagnosed at around the age of 27.
TSH
Free T3
FreeT4
Reverse T3( probably really have to push this one and some others)
TPOAB ( thyroid Perodxidase antibodies)
Thyroglobulin antibodies
Auto immune antibodies
To be safe- for Graves diease
Thyroid receptor antibodies (TRAB)
Thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI)
There’s more things that should be checked, and some great resources at the FB page “Thyroid Sexy”, it’s a great site.
Hope all this helps good luck and I’ll say a prayer for you.
Epstein-Barr Virus is a herpes virus so it is true that it never goes away but it can be treated if it is reactivated. Herpes viruses are either active such as in a herpes breakout or they are dormant under the control of your immune system.
14 HIV people also have no testable viral load, they still have HIV but the virus is
no longer killing them.
I am allergic to sulfa, would I be excluded from this treatment?
It is true that genetics play a role but there is more to it than that. Here is a good paper to help understand the genetic connections: http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ad/2012/189096/?hc_location=ufi
Thank you for your interesting article.
There is more that can be done because our genes are just one part of our makeup.. I watched a very inspiring video of a physician who took control of her debilitating Multiple Sclerosis (autoimmune condition). As she stated, she was being treated by one of the best clinics in the US and her health continued to deteriorate. Please spend the time and watch this video as it explains how Dr Terry Wahls äte” herself back to being very healthy! Genes are one thing but supplying the “power” organelle of our cells, the Mitochondria, with the correct nutrients, will show you the missing link. From here, with the correction of the deficiency and toxicity in your body, you should be able to improve your immune system and then incorporate other methods in your lifestyle (walking, meditation, etc.) to further improve your health and well being.
You may benefit from actually taking a course in endocrinology and doing some solid reading at thyroidmanager.com (online physicans’ reference on all things thyroid) which would perhaps enlighten you as to why hypothyroidism often appears after major illness, and please, also not claiming to be a physician when your qualification indicate that you’re a naturopath and chiropractor, with a couple courses in nutrition.
Overall, anybody needing help with thyroid disease should see an endocrinologist or an internist with expertise in thyroid issues for initial diagnosis and treatment, not a chiropractor. Period.
To be fair, the medical system works very well for crisis and emergency care and support. We all know people whose lives have been saved/extended due to this care! I worked in this area as a nurse for over twenty years before becoming an allied health professional. Unfortunately, we place demands on the medical system to improve our health but, they are there for the above-crisis care. As you have stated, many people now understand the benefits that other allied health professionals offer to improve their health. Do some research on Google with PubMed, Cochrane Library and Medline and I’m sure you will find invaluable information.
There are many different possible triggers for autoimmune diseases including chronic infections that shouldn’t be overlooked. This is a topic that I’ve wanted to include at Hypothyroid Mom for some time because I think it is an important one.
You sound like someone who has solid critical thinking skills which unfortunately is very rare these days.
I’m sorry so many of you were upset by this. I was upset as well since I also suffer with Hashi’s every day, that’s what brought me here in the first place. I’m also not too fond of endocrinologists or the “traditional” medical community for the most part. This article was very informative for me because I had never heard this explanation before. I didn’t see any typos but I wasn’t looking. All my eyes and brain saw was very good information that I can use! Thank you so much for this article!
Regards Annie
There are definitely infection connections with Graves’ disease including Epstein-Barr Virus, H. pylori and Yersinia.
Gluten free diet
Paleo Style Diet Etc.
There are many who are trying to find out what is causing the problem with Elimination Diet’s, Auto Immune Protocol Diets but in the end….it doesn’t seem to be working. They are “working” at it but the thyroid still isn’t back to normal. I would think that taking the tests that he mentions above, good diet, supplements that he mention and “other ways” to get rid of the infection would work. I have followed the science of the P. Diet and I just don’t see the science behind it even if it is Grass Fed or from natural sources. I would eat a tiny bit of meat 6 oz a week for balance but the science is that TONS of vegetables, etc. do work to heal the body and this is scientifically proven.
What can be done?
The endocrine system is so easily influenced by other problems in our body. And keeping it optimal is so important if we are to heal whatever other conditions we have! Great map of various issues involved.
I was born without a thyroid half a century ago, a rare occurrence. It took doctors 7 weeks to discover why I continued to be jaundiced with a very protruding stomach. The doctor was unsure of my condition, but suggested to my mother that ‘she try’ Thyroxine tablets. They were instantly successful. So for 50+ years I’ve only known synthetic Thyroxine.
Over the years I’ve struggled with many of the symptoms that others with hypothyroidism experience… these days it is a sluggish metabolism.
My doctors test my blood 3 monthly to keep on top of my levels. They keep my levels slightly higher than they should as this benefits my system better.
I successfully had to children, with no thyroid problems.
Have any of you been born without a thyroid and what are your biggest challenges?
Brenda
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism at the age of 28 – 2 years after my youngest daughter was born. I was told that the pregnancy triggered my thyroid failure. I did have glandular fever at the age of 15. After starting on thyroxine my lethargy had not improved and after 6 months my doctor then diagnosed with ME. My thyroxine was progressively increased to 250 mcg a day which I have been on for 21 years. Last year my doctor said I was on too high a dose and they have been gradually reducing it and I am now on 175 mcg a day. Why would this happen if I was told my thyroid and totally packed in? Initially I didn’t notice any difference in my general health but now I have been on 175 mcg for passed 3 months I have noticed my immune system is low and I am very susceptible to any bugs that are going around and I struggle to shake them off. In addition to this my muscle spasms are starting to return and I am becoming more lethargic again. I have an appointment with my own doctor in 2 weeks time (that’s how long I have to wait to see him) not sure where we go from here as I know he will say your TS levels are still too high.
Can the type/brand of thyroxine make a difference? What else can I ask my doctor to test for ?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Many thanks
Gillian
A “huge” thank you!
Cyndi
I have Hochimotos and have been taking synthroid. The numbers are now within normal range. I am seeing a neurologist because of muscle twitching and he did an EMG, the results were mildly abnormal on the needle portion and he said it is something intrinsic in my muscle. Do you think any of this could have to do with my thyroid even though my bloodwork is currently normal? Thanks for any help you can give me.
gluten!
Any good suggestions to maintain regularity?
Love this site!
Thanks to all who participate
My Endochronologist was not interested in helping as my thyroid was ‘functioning normally!’. My GP eventually sent me to a nutritionist, who has been amazing. Following extensive blood tests and stool tests I began a fairly natural treatment of:
Completely going Gluten and Dairy free
B12, Vitamin D, Zinc, Vitamin C, Fish Oil, Magnesium, Complex Folate, Chromium and P5P
After 5 months and as a result my antibodies have dropped, I am now off my blood pressure tablets – Yay!, and 95% symptom free.
Surprisingly the stool test showed I had far too much bacteria in my gut with the biggest culprit being Klebsiella Pneumoniae. I have now begun an extensive probiotic and GIT cleansing program to rid myself of these infections. The improvement in my health has been astounding. I am back exercising 4 days a week, I have a love for cooking again, I’m no longer coming home from work and sleeping before trying to function in the evening. With the right doctor and family support, I feel like I’m winning this battle.
It is this type of ill advise that is causing depression, mental health issues and other problems to us thyroid patients. She has not solved one of my issues in 2 and a half years. I am not working due to problems and can’t get any help. All that she cares about is if the level is within range nothing else matters. How can I continue living like this? I don’t have the money to change endo’s and the public hospital wait is 6 months.
I had not even heard of hashimoto’s until recently and now I seem to read about it everywhere. This article really reminded me of a book I read by Dr. Joni Labbe “Why is Mid-Life Mooching your Mojo?” (http://mojogirlfriends.com/). The author was diagnosed with hashimoto’s and celiac disease and is living proof that you can live well with these thyroid issues. She has helped many women battle fatigue, insomnia, hot flashes, and more with her nutritional expertise and through functional neurology. The book is also written in a way that is easy to understand and implement in your daily life. This is for anyone who has tried just about everything from medication to supplements and is ready for a change. I really think you and your readers would benefit from her book and website. I hope you will check it out
Thanks!
My doc is checking me for Parvo and many of the bacteria/viruses above. Had blood drawn today.
I understand all too well. You must protect yourself. I was trying to protect others. I understand the real world. It’s the world I am living in. My health insurance was cancelled due to obamacare. On the health.gov exchange my premium went from $317 a month to $765, my deductible from $500 to $5000, my co-pays from $10 to $200, and my co-insurance from 20% to 50%. I would have to pay $765 a month plus $200 co pays plus $5000 before the “insurance” pays half! I now have no medical care, but we are paying for the pot heads down the road to have medicaid. Every MD within an hour of here and more knows nothing but tsh/synthroid protocol. I have tried the ND’s and alternative practitioners to exhaustion, each wanting thousands of dollars worth of blood work; one even $2700 of bloodwork prior to treating me. Thank God I found the site I posted. I was attempting to help, not turn hypoT/Hashi’s into a racket to make money on as so many sites do. Thank God I am able to treat myself by symptoms as Broda Barnes recommends.
There are many in my position that need help. Lastly, in all my years of practice, I have never once seen or even heard of any patient in the ER due to taking the wrong dose of NDT other than a bodybuilder using massive amounts of T3.
Yes Dana I do understand.
I hope you understand me.
James 1:22
Some years after that I fell ill and never been healthy since. Started with 24/7 nausea. Barely able to eat. Only thing that helped was homoeopathy but apparently it did not last as I was not following any diet. How could I as no one suggested it. Ppis made problem worse.
2003 was tested for yersinia antibodies as a psychiatric figured it out reading my history. Was not found from my stool so they figured it is not recent and indeed was the reason for my swollen knee.
My thyroid had never been tested until I tested it privately last year. I had antibodies. I have been so ill for years barely even functioning. Did the just find my root cause? Is yersinia behind all this misery?
I worry there is nothing to be done about it any more as it has been twenty years now. How do I even make a doctor to consider it as root cause and admitting it?
Currently she is on compounded T3 through drops 7.5 mcg twice a day, but doesn’t feel a change. Her Lyme neurologist measured it from the ratio of free t3 to reverse t3 ….the R T3 was high and T4 levels were normal…first month blood work indicated low TSH but he said it was still within the Norma ranges. She doesn’t need T4 so NST is not an option, but sh can’t just stop the T3 …she’d have to wean off of it….
Having multiple illnesses truly complicates things, and IVIG is not an option as long as the infections persist.