Hashimoto's Thyroiditis From a Western Medicine and Holistic Perspective

For a complete list of accreditations for this course, please see the accreditation information box below the author’s bio.  All states recognize our courses for accredited continuing nursing education, CNE, contact hours.

An online continuing education course for nurses, medical health professionals, and others interested in understanding Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and the causes, symptoms, lab tests and treatment options from both a holistic and Western medicine approach.

The goal of this continuing education program is to educate all levels of providers and those interested on the autoimmune disease known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis. This course will discuss how Hashimoto's is diagnosed, an overview of lab tests and how they are used to diagnose and treat Hashimoto's, as well as a comprehensive, holistic approach to diagnosis, treatment, and natural modalities, including nutrition, exercise, and stress reduction in the treatment of this disease. Pharmacological interventions will also be discussed.

Note: The student should have a thorough understanding of thyroid anatomy and physiology before taking this course. The course “Thyroid Gland Overview” covers the necessary anatomy and physiology needed and is highly recommended before taking this course.

Objectives

Upon completion the participant will be able to:

1. Differentiate between autoimmune hypothyroidism and other non-immune hypothyroid diseases
2. Verbalize the current understanding of the pathogenesis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis
3. Identify Hashimoto's symptoms
4. Identify the population segment most likely to develop Hashimoto's thyroiditis
5. Discuss importance of ruling out other conditions that may be mimicking or contributing to Hashimoto's thyroiditis
6. List and interpret lab tests used in initial diagnosis of Hashimoto's and why these test are done
7. List environmental and internal factors contributing to Hashimoto's and why these are triggers
8. List additional lab tests after Hashimoto's diagnosis
9. Explain salivary cortisol levels and why this test is important in management of Hashimoto's thyroiditis
10. Explain why these tests are performed and how they are used to provide a comprehensive, holistic approach to disease management
11. Identify lifestyle and risk factors that contribute to the development of Hashimoto's thyroiditis
12. Explain how a holistic approach to Hashimoto's thyroiditis results in the increased quality of life versus a pharmacological only approach
13. List the pharmacological medications and supplements used in Hashimoto's thyroiditis
14. Identify medications and supplements used according to lab results and why they are used
15. Explain the elimination diet and how this diet calms the immune response
16. Explain “leaky gut” and how this contributes to the immune response

Curriculum

Chapter 1: Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis 

• What is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
• How is Hashimoto’s diagnosed- symptoms, lab tests
• Lab Tests used to diagnose Hashimoto’s
• How is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis different from other hypothyroid diagnosis
• What population group is most likely to develop Hashimoto’s

Chapter 2: Interpreting test results

• How to interpret test results: TSH, TPO antibodies, thyroglobulin antibodies, free T4, freeT3, Reverse T3
• Additional functional medicine criteria for diagnosis
• Rule out other diseases or conditions mimicking Hashimoto
• How exposure to antigens and intestinal permeability trigger Hashimoto’s
• When definite diagnosis of Hashimoto’s, what additional testing to support the thyroid gland in healing- zinc level, salivary cortisol level, ferritin, liver function(alkaline phosphatase)D3, stool tests, Mannitol-Lactulose Intestinal Permeability test, iodine test, MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) genetic defect, and additional testing-Celiacs, Zonulin and food sensitivities.

Chapter 3: Environmental Triggers

• External triggers – halogens-fluorine, iodine, bromine and how they influence the thyroid gland
• Chemical triggers – pesticides, estrogen disruptors , heavy metal exposure 
• Antinutrients

Chapter 4: Internal Triggers

• Adrenal/thyroid connection
• Stress response and how stress changes the physiology of the body

Chapter 5: Treatment of Hashimoto’s

• Pharmacological interventions
• Supplements to enhance thyroid function
• Elimination diet- what it is and why 
• Stress reduction techniques and how they work
• Exercise- types 

Chapter 6: Outcome and Prognosis

• Hashimoto’s requires long term therapy and effort to attain and maintain maximum health
• Expected outcome of holistic and/or pharmacologic only interventions