One of the most challenging things about being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease is that it often takes a long period of sometimes debilitating symptoms before you get a diagnosis and treatment. If you've recently been diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease, you may wonder what you can do to manage the antibodies and their effect on your body. Here's a look at what you need to know:
What Do The Antibodies Mean?
The presence of antibodies that lead to a Hashimoto's diagnosis means that your body's autoimmune system is reacting against itself. Typically, the first organ it targets is your thyroid, leading to hypothyroid symptoms and a condition known as Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.
In addition to treating the thyroid hormone problems, you also need to address the antibodies that are causing the problem. Since most endocrinologists focus on the thyroid activity, the antibodies are easily overlooked. When left unchecked, your body will continue to attack your thyroid, worsening the condition. Once the thyroid is no longer viable, the antibodies will target another organ, leading to more symptoms.
How Can You Manage The Antibodies?
There is no single treatment to bring the antibodies down when managing Hashimoto's disease. Instead, you need to focus on the steps you can take within your own lifestyle and diet. As your antibodies increase, so will your bouts with chronic pain, fatigue, and inflammation. If you can minimize the antibodies, you can also reduce those symptoms.
Some of the things that increase your antibodies include poor stress management, limited physical activity, and improper dietary choices. For those struggling with inflammation and antibodies, avoiding things like gluten, grains, and dairy can help to minimize your symptoms and reduce your antibodies. You may also find other food sensitivities that can contribute to this. To find out for sure what foods you need to avoid, talk with a doctor who specializes in chronic autoimmune illness treatment. They can do food sensitivity testing.
Then, make a point to spend time every day meditating, doing yoga, or otherwise dealing with your own stress issues. That helps your body to relax and reduces your cortisol response. Spend time being active, but choose low-impact activities so you don't add to the joint inflammation.
For more information, talk with your doctor today. He or she can test your thyroid function, your antibodies, and your body's food sensitivities to help you identify the source of the problem. Then, you can make the appropriate choices to address each problem directly, creating a cumulative effect.
Contact a medical center like Premier Urgent Care Centers of California, Inc. for more information and assistance.
Share15 August 2017
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