Is Hashimoto's Disease Genetic? Unraveling the Potential Link Between Hashimoto's and Family History

Sudden, unexplained weight gain. Depression. Fatigue and body aches. Your intuition tells you this isn’t normal.

If you have a close family member with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, you may be wondering if the disease is genetic.

While many look to genetics as an indicator of future health concerns, the answer is not always straightforward. Hashimoto’s disease can have a combination of contributing factors, including your family tree.

In this guide, we’ll examine the genetic and environmental factors that can help determine your potential risk of developing Hashimoto’s disease and where to go to get back to feeling like yourself again.

Table of Contents

Hashimoto's disease, named after the doctor who identified it in 1912, Dr. Hakaru Hashimoto, is also commonly known as:



• Hashimoto's thyroiditis
• Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis 
• Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis

The chronic autoimmune disorder causes immune cells to attack healthy thyroid tissue, keeping it from producing enough thyroid hormone for your body and slowing your metabolism (hypothyroidism).

Though doctors are still unclear whether Hashimoto's disease is hereditary due to the many genetic and environmental factors that may be involved, studies have found that principal autoimmune disease genes can cluster in families. This means having a close relative with Hashimoto's disease or another autoimmune disorder can likely increase a person's risk of developing the condition.

HealthierU’s Dr. Donna Sergi has dedicated her entire life to the pursuit of health and wellness and is committed to helping her patients get well and stay healthy, naturally. With nutrition and lifestyle in mind, she’ll create a holistic nutrition treatment plan designed to help manage your Hashimoto's symptoms. Schedule a free consultation today to discover the power of holistic nutrition.

While the exact cause of Hashimoto’s remains unknown, studies have reported solid evidence that a major genetic influence exists that can predispose one to develop hypothyroidism.

These six genes, called thyroid autoantibodies, were found in common and, when present in conjunction with other environmental factors, may contribute to the development of Hashimoto’s disease.

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes help control how the immune system responds to the body. They produce proteins called glycoproteins that play an important role in immune function and may affect a person’s risk of developing Hashimoto’s disease.

Although research on the connection between HLA genes and Hashimoto’s disease has produced mixed results, studies have found evidence of a genetic link.

For example, a study in mice found that those with a specific HLA gene were more likely to develop severe Hashimoto’s disease. In contrast, mice without the gene were resistant to the condition.

One of the more recently identified immune-regulating genes linked to Hashimoto’s disease is the protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 22 gene (PTPN22).

PTPN22 is found mainly in lymphocytes, including T-cells. These are white blood cells that help the immune system fight infections and other threats.

Certain genetic variations in PTPN22 may affect how T-cells are activated and how effectively they respond to disease. This could influence the development of autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s disease.

In one study, researchers found a significant association between a specific PTPN22 genetic variation and Hashimoto’s disease.

The thyroglobulin (TG) gene plays an important role in thyroid health. It provides instructions for making thyroglobulin, a protein that helps the thyroid produce and store thyroid hormones.

Research suggests that certain variations, or changes, in the TG gene may increase a person’s risk of developing autoimmune thyroid diseases, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. In other words, some people may inherit genetic changes that make them more susceptible to Hashimoto’s disease.

The CTLA-4 gene is another important immune-regulating gene that has been linked to Hashimoto’s disease. It helps control how strongly T-cells, the immune system’s defense cells, are activated.

Certain variations in the CTLA-4 gene may interfere with this process and disrupt the way T-cells are regulated. Think of your immune system as a castle: your T-cells are the soldiers protecting it, while CTLA-4 helps make sure those soldiers are activated at the right time and don’t attack the wrong target. When CTLA-4 isn’t working properly, this balance can be disrupted, potentially increasing the risk of autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s.

Researchers have identified several CTLA-4 variations that are associated with Hashimoto’s disease. However, more research is needed to determine exactly which genetic changes may play a direct role in causing the disease.

Vitamin D does more than support strong bones; it also plays an important role in keeping your immune system balanced.

It acts as a natural immune regulator by interacting with the vitamin D receptor (VDR), a protein that helps vitamin D communicate with your cells. This interaction can influence several immune pathways, including those involved in regulating T-cell activity and proteins such as CTLA-4.

The vitamin D receptor also plays a role in calcium regulation, cell growth, cell development, and programmed cell death, along with other important immune functions.

Because of these effects, research has looked at whether genetic variations in the vitamin D receptor gene may influence a person’s risk of autoimmune diseases. Some studies have found a possible connection between these genetic variations and Hashimoto’s disease, although more research is needed to understand the relationship.

Cytokines are tiny proteins that help immune cells communicate with one another. Think of them as the immune system’s messengers, sending signals that tell cells when to activate, respond, or attack.

Some cytokines can promote inflammation, which is an important part of the body’s immune response. However, when these signals become too strong or poorly regulated, they may contribute to tissue damage.

Researchers have found that certain variations in cytokine-related genes may be linked to both the development and severity of Hashimoto’s disease. These changes may increase inflammation and contribute to the destruction of thyroid cells.

Research consistently shows that women are much more likely than men to develop Hashimoto’s disease. In fact, women may be four to 10 times more likely to develop the condition.

Researchers believe one reason may be the presence of two X chromosomes. The X chromosome contains several genes involved in immune function, and having two copies may contribute to differences in how the immune system responds. This could increase the likelihood of developing thyroid autoantibodies and, in turn, Hashimoto’s disease.

Another theory is that women tend to have a stronger immune response than men. While this can provide greater protection against infections, it may also make the immune system more likely to become overactive and mistakenly attack healthy tissue, including the thyroid.

Pregnancy and the postpartum period may also increase the risk. During and after pregnancy, the immune system and hormone levels naturally shift. For some women, these changes can trigger inflammation or cause the immune system to mistakenly attack the thyroid.

Research shows that women between the ages of 30 and 50 are more likely to develop Hashimoto’s disease.

One reason Hashimoto’s can be difficult to diagnose is that it often develops gradually. As the thyroid becomes less able to produce hormones, symptoms may become more noticeable over time. However, symptoms can appear even when thyroid blood tests are still within the normal range.

This can happen because thyroid inflammation and damage may occur gradually and unevenly. The thyroid may release hormones intermittently as cells are damaged, causing thyroid function to fluctuate. As a result, someone may experience early symptoms of Hashimoto’s even though their test results appear normal at the time of testing.

Several drugs used to treat conditions unrelated to the thyroid have been reported to influence susceptibility to developing Hashimoto’s disease, including:



• Tyrosine kinase inhibitors
• Amiodarone
• Iodine
• Lithium
• Interferon α (IFN-α)
• Interleukin 2

These drugs can exacerbate thyroid autoimmunity by increasing TAb positivity in susceptible individuals by:

• Triggering immune response
• Suppressing T-cell function
• Activating immune cells
• Stimulating cytokine release on thyroid cells
  

Exposure to certain chemicals may also play a role in the development of Hashimoto’s disease. Research in both humans and animals has found that exposure to some chemicals commonly found in industrial and consumer products, including polyaromatic hydrocarbons and polyhalogenated biphenyls, may trigger an autoimmune response against the thyroid.

Other studies suggest that exposure to certain elements, particularly heavy metals, may also increase the risk of developing Hashimoto’s disease.

While research has found a connection between environmental toxins and thyroid autoimmunity, scientists are still working to understand exactly how these chemicals affect the immune system and contribute to Hashimoto’s disease.

Though anyone can develop Hashimoto's disease, it's most commonly reported among middle-aged women of Caucasian descent.

While people of European or Caucasian descent are more likely to develop Hashimoto’s disease than those of African and Hispanic descent, many studies have found that Hashimoto’s disease also affects more people of Asian descent.

No. There is no routine genetic test available that can reliably predict whether you’ll develop Hashimoto’s. Instead, doctors typically evaluate thyroid function and, when appropriate, thyroid antibodies like TPO.

Let your healthcare provider know if you have a family history of Hashimoto’s. They’ll monitor your symptoms and may opt to check your TSH and thyroid hormone levels, and sometimes thyroid antibodies.

It does. Research has shown that Hashimoto’s is more common in individuals with certain other autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes, lupus, celiac disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.

If you know or suspect you may have Hashimoto’s disease, making lifestyle changes can help keep the uncomfortable flare-ups in check.

HealthierU provides natural Hashimoto's treatment in Brooklyn, NY. Our holistic approach to treating Hashimoto’s disease uses the power of:

• Nutrition
• Lifestyle changes
• Supplements 

Let Dr. Sergi guide you through a custom, comprehensive nutrition plan to restore harmony within your immune system, body, and mind.

Schedule your consultation today and learn how HealthierU can supplement your Hashimoto’s treatment with the right nutrition plan to get you back to living a symptom-free life.