Hashimoto’s disease is a condition where the immune system attacks the thyroid and impends the production of hormones that help facilitate bodily functions. This can leave the body with a host of different conditions.
For this reason, it’s important to know what can put you at risk for Hashimoto’s disease. In fact, some of them might surprise you…
1. Sex
Women compose the majority of people diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease. The reason behind it is still unclear, but Indian pathologist Dr. Avinash Phadke suggests that it could be traced to autoimmunity, which more women have than men.
When it comes to health, age is definitely not just a number…
2. Age
People can get Hashimoto’s disease at any age, but people in their late 40s and 60s above are more prone to being diagnosed with it.
Heirlooms and inheritances aren’t the only thing passed down…
3. Heredity
The risk of someone developing Hashimoto’s disease increases if anyone in their family have had a history of thyroid or other autoimmune diseases. The same can also be said about your own medical history.
These next causes may seem unrelated, but it pays to watch out for them…
4. Autoimmune Diseases
Despite being non-thyroid-related, other autoimmune diseases like vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or type 1 diabetes, can still increase the risk of a person developing Hashimoto’s disease.
Too much energy can be disastrous, too…
5. Radiation Exposure
People who work with high levels of radiation, environmental or otherwise, are more at risk of getting Hashimoto’s disease, especially if part of the neck is frequently exposed.
Unfortunately, as the next risk factor shows, certain solutions can sometimes cause more problems…
6. Excess Iodine
Various studies say that excessive intake of iodine, which helps the body produce thyroid hormones, may potentially trigger thyroid problems in some people by limiting or exceeding hormone production.
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7. Recent Pregnancy
According to the Carolina Total Wellness group, it’s possible that pregnancy and postpartum can cause Hashimoto’s due to the shifts in the immune system function that could trigger the immune system to attack the thyroid gland.
The color of your skin plays a factor here as well…
8. Race
A study conducted by researchers on US military personnel reveals that Caucasian people are at a higher risk of getting Hashimoto’s disease than other ethnic groups. Experts say this could be linked to genetic factors.
The number of chromosomes may have something to do with your risk factor, too…
9. Chromosomal Problems
Compared to the general public, people born with down syndrome are prone to developing thyroid diseases, like Hashimoto’s disease, especially as they get older. Multiple factors are at play here, but autoimmunity is considered the main cause.
Women should be aware of this next risk factor…
10. Menopause
Having decreased levels of estrogen during menopause may cause autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s, and in turn, these conditions can exacerbate menopausal symptoms. It’s important to talk to your gynecologist if you start to notice any irregularities with menopause.