Does Hashimoto's Make Your Immune System Weaker? Explore the Connection Between the Disease and Your Body’s Defense System

The achy muscles, constant fatigue, dry skin, and struggle to keep your body warm — you know the symptoms of Hashimoto’s disease all too well. 



But what about your body’s ability to fight off sickness and infection? 

Does Hashimoto's weaken your immune system?

In this article, you’ll discover insights into how Hashimoto's thyroiditis may impact your body's defense mechanisms and get practical tips on how to support your immune system when you have Hashimoto’s disease. 

Table of Contents

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease. In someone who is not suffering from Hashimoto's, the autoimmune system is able to protect the body and keep it healthy by attacking viruses and bacteria. 



But when Hashimoto’s disease comes into play, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland by mistake. The thyroid then becomes unable to make enough thyroid hormone, preventing the body from working as it was designed.

The fact is, it’s complicated. 



Since Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease, some parts of your immune system are hyper-activated. But you can still have symptoms of a weakened immune system. 

Below, we’ll delve into several ways Hashimoto’s disease may impact and weaken your immune system. 

We've established that the relationship between Hashimoto's and a weakened immune system is intricate and complex. Let's examine four characteristics of Hashimoto's thyroiditis that may contribute to a weakened immune system.

Certain types of antithyroid antibodies can damage thyroid tissues by attacking them and causing progressive fibrosis. 



This can cause the thyroid gland to become hard and stone-like and prevent it from being able to perform its job within the body.

To successfully battle invaders and turn off when the health threat has passed, your immune system has T lymphocyte coordinators, also known as Helper T cells or Th. 

Two types of T lymphocyte cells are particularly important for those battling Hashimoto's disease:



• Th1: This helper T cell mainly executes battles with viruses and bacteria, the germs that infect the inside of cells. If Th1 doesn’t shut down when it should, it may result in autoimmune diseases. Typically, if you experience common colds that come on strongly and are over within 2–3 days, your Th1 immune function is healthy and strong.
• Th2: These T lymphocytes' main duty is coordinating battles with parasites and other germs that attack your outside cells. If Th2 cells don’t shut down as they should, you may suffer from allergic conditions such as asthma, seasonal allergies, eczema, food allergies, and hives. Some autoimmune conditions may also include Th2 dominance.
  

T Helper 17 cells (Th17) execute battles with invaders such as fungal and bacterial pathogens. When Th17 cells are unable to shut down at the right time, your immune system becomes weakened, and various autoimmune and allergic diseases may result, including:



• Hashimoto’s 
• Psoriasis
• Multiple sclerosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Allergies
  

Regulatory T cells (Treg) are the helper T cells that enable the other helper cells to shut down once your body has finished battling an infection. 

Treg cells act to suppress the immune response, enabling your body to maintain homeostasis and self-tolerance. Their job is also to ensure that your immune system doesn’t attack itself or react to harmless invaders like food or dust. 



If regulatory T cells aren’t working properly, autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s may result. 

If you want to win the battle of Hashimoto’s disease and a potentially weakened immune function, you’ll need to start by focusing on the basics. Invest in these six things to best support your immune system: 



1. Getting quality nutrition
2. Avoiding inflammation
3. Participating in regular exercise
4. Getting plenty of sleep
5. Managing stress
6. Taking the right nutritional supplements
   

If you’re struggling to win the battle of a lowered immune system due to Hashimoto’s disease, HealthierU can help.



HealthierU specializes in holistic health and wellness. In our office, Dr. Donna Sergi can identify the cause of the issue and work with you to begin the path toward alleviating your Hashimoto-related symptoms and boosting your immune system — all by using natural remedies and nutrition.

Request your free consultation at HealthierU today to find out more!

The first thing to focus on for immune system support with Hashimoto's disease is the food you are putting into your body.

You will want to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to get the antioxidants and fiber necessary to feed your gut flora and keep it strong and healthy. 

This includes consuming foods high in probiotics, to promote a strong digestive system, such as:

• Yogurt
• Kombucha 
• Keifer
• Kimchi
• Miso
• Sauerkraut

You’ll also want to avoid eating sugar as well as any highly processed foods like:



• Fast food
• Soda and energy drinks
• Sweets
• Chips
• Fried food
• Packaged meats
• Ice cream
  

Usually, the immune response of inflammation helps your body fight off toxins like bacteria and viruses. 



But if the inflammation continues even after the threat of illness has passed, your immune system can turn on healthy tissue, like the thyroid.

Boosting your intake of anti-inflammatory foods can help to improve your body’s healthy immune function and help maintain inflammation balance. To improve your immune system with Hashimoto’s disease, do your best to consume an abundance of:

• Leafy greens like kale and spinach
• Fatty fish, including salmon, tuna, and mackerel 
• Berries and other fruits
  

It’s been proven that exercising boosts your immune system. 

But when it comes to exercising with Hashimoto's, you will want to start off easy, being sure to listen to your body as you go. One of the keys to exercising with Hashimoto’s disease is not to overdo it, so keep your exercise sessions short with plenty of recovery time between sessions.

Good exercise options for Hashimoto’s include slightly more gentle activities such as:



• Walking
• Yoga
• Tai chi
• Water aerobics
• Strength training
  

Sleep deprivation can go a long way towards hurting our bodies and minds, and that includes damaging your immune system.



When your body is missing out on sleep, it becomes weak and more inflamed and less able to do battle against infections. 

Experts say it is best to shoot for at least seven solid hours of sleep each night.

Did you ever notice how you often get sick during or after an extremely stressful season of life?

It is not likely your immune system will struggle after a minor anxiety-provoking circumstance. However, research has shown that prolonged, chronic stress may have a negative impact on your immune system — including increasing the likelihood of developing or worsening an autoimmune disease like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

If you're under continued tension at work, at home, or in a relationship, find healthy ways to manage the stress. Consider exploring:

• Deep breathing
• Meditation
• Gentle exercise
• Hobbies
  

As you’re looking for ways to support your immune system with Hashimoto's disease, don't underestimate the power of high-quality supplements.

Of course, you will want to speak with your healthcare provider, but the following supplements may prove helpful in enhancing your immune function: 



• Vitamin D: Vitamin D enhances T cell responses and aids in overall immune balance. Most Hashimoto’s sufferers have a vitamin D deficiency. This vitamin is especially critical during the winter months. The colder temperatures and shorter days provide fewer opportunities for being outdoors, and it's usually impossible to get adequate exposure to the sun. 
• Zinc: This micronutrient plays a role in more than 300 reactions within the body, including the thyroid. It’s also responsible for encouraging proper signaling between hormones and balancing both T3 and T4 levels and is a critical factor in balancing natural antiviral responses.
• Selenium: This mineral is a critical component in the proper function of both immunity and thyroid health. Adequate levels of selenium give the immune system what it needs to function robustly and maintain balance. A selenium deficiency may increase oxidative stress and inflammation, potentially causing additional damage to your thyroid gland.
  

After decades of experience as a Holistic Chiropractor and Nutrition Response Practitioner, Dr. Donna Sergi is committed to helping her patients get well — and stay that way — naturally. 

HealthierU aids patients in the pursuit of health and wellness by offering nutrition and lifestyle guidance rather than medication and surgery.

Let Dr. Sergi’s expertise work for you and help you strengthen your immune system while dealing with the effects of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. 

Request a nutrition consultation today to find out more about our unique approach to holistic healing.