The Wide Range of Hashimoto Symptoms Hashimoto’s is complex and often misunderstood by mainstream medicine. It’s a topic that I have a lot of experience with both personally and professionally and know that so many of you are struggling with its many symptoms. Because of this,  I knew that dedicating the 100th episode of this podcast to the topic was exactly how I wanted to celebrate this milestone.  One of the most common questions I get about Hashimoto’s is whether a specific symptom is related to Hashimoto’s. Hashimoto’s has a wide variety of symptoms and it can be difficult to figure out if something is related to Hashimoto’s or if it is a symptom of something else. It’s very frustrating.  People ask me about  fatigue, anxiety, GI issues, hair loss, fertility challenges, brain fog, rashes, and even eye twitches. How can all of these be symptoms of Hashimoto’s (especially when not everyone with Hashimoto’s has these symptoms?  It’s important to remember that Hashimoto’s is not a thyroid disease but an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid. And remember, the thyroid may not be the only organ affected by Hashimoto’s. This is why there can be such a wide range of symptoms.    The Problem with the Conventional Approach to Hashimoto’s The relationship of these various symptoms to Hashimoto’s is often missed in conventional medicine. As a result the symptoms aren’t supported. Many doctors will focus solely on how the thyroid is affected and simply support thyroid function instead of supporting immune system function. If the thyroid is functioning well, many doctors will tell their patients that there is nothing else they can do about their Hashimoto’s and rather just wait until it destroys the thyroid at which point they will then need medicine.  The more integrative approach is to dig into how the immune system got confused in the first place and address each one of those things to help the immune system rebalance while supporting the thyroid.    The Biggest Mistakes with Supporting Hashimoto’s Symptoms In this episode, I tackle the biggest mistakes that people with Hashimoto’s can make. This is so that you can be aware of the relationship between the many symptoms and your Hashimoto’s and so you can be a better advocate for your own health.    Hashimoto’s Mistake #1 - Only Focusing on Thyroid while Ignoring the Immune System Many people with Hashimoto’s are given thyroid medicine. When thyroid levels are back to normal, the issue is considered in hand without a second thought as to why the immune system got confused and started attacking the thyroid in the first place. This is one of the most common mistakes.  In episode 32 (Solving the Autoimmune Mystery), I go into detail about the connection between the immune system, Hashimoto’s and other autoimmune diseases.  In a functional approach, our goal is to figure out the root cause of the issue. With autoimmunity we look at immune triggers. These can be grouped into four categories: Foods Stress Toxins Infections Understanding these triggers can have a profound effect on how your body deals with your symptoms.    Hashimoto’s Mistake # 2 - Supporting the Immune System, Not the Thyroid While I just explained the importance of triggers, some people with Hashimoto’s will work on reducing triggers with the hope that it will fix their thyroid. If the thyroid is already in a hypo state, it may require medication to bring it to a healthy level. Remember, the thyroid interacts with all cells in the body and many organs. When it is not functioning properly, it can have a profound effect on your overall well being. I understand the hesitation to take medication. I will always try to find a natural solution to any issue, but, when it comes to the thyroid, there is a real danger of harm to our body if it is not functioning.  Your thyroid plays a key role in: Metabolism Blood Sugar Weight Management Body Temperature Mitochondria Muscle Tone Bone Density Membrain Health (specifically i