Discover how a functional medicine approach helped one woman reverse symptoms of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis by healing her gut, balancing nutrients, and addressing root causes beyond levothyroxine.

A Growing Thyroid Epidemic

One of the most commonly prescribed medications I see in practice is levothyroxine, better known by its brand name Synthroid. In any given week, as many as one in four of my female clients has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism at some point. Of those, about 90% are actually Hashimoto’s thyroiditis—an autoimmune condition where the body attacks its own thyroid gland, leading to low thyroid function and elevated thyroid antibodies in the blood.

What amazes me most is how few of these women realize they even have an autoimmune form of hypothyroidism. Many were never told the difference, because conventional medicine tends to treat both conditions the same—with thyroid hormone replacement.
But this one-size-fits-all approach misses a crucial question: Why is this autoimmune attack happening in the first place?

Why are we seeing epidemic levels of thyroid autoimmunity, and what environmental, dietary, and lifestyle factors are contributing? Even more concerning—does having Hashimoto’s increase the risk of developing other autoimmune diseases down the road?

To me, simply writing a prescription for thyroid hormone without exploring these questions feels incomplete. That curiosity is what led me to explore the functional medicine approach to Hashimoto’s—one that focuses on uncovering root causes and preventing future autoimmune progression.

Case Study: Chani’s Story

“I’m on levothyroxine, 75 mcg a day, and I still feel exhausted, constipated, and bloated—plus a little down,”
said Chani, a 38-year-old woman one year post-diagnosis of Hashimoto’s.

Her doctors told her she was “stable,” but she felt anything but. During the early months of treatment, she noticed emotional swings—anxiety and irritability when her dose was lowered, fatigue and depression when it was raised. Now, even on a “steady” dose, her energy lagged, her mood felt off, and the extra ten pounds she had gained refused to budge.

“I’m really scared of getting other autoimmune diseases,” she added. “My mother has rheumatoid arthritis. Just tell me what to do—I’m all in.”

Looking Beneath the Surface: The Functional Medicine Workup

As per the functional medicine model, we began by ordering a comprehensive thyroid panel—far more detailed than the standard TSH and T4. This included:

• Free T3 (the active thyroid hormone)
• Reverse T3 (a hormone that blocks T3’s action)
• Thyroid antibodies (TPO and TG antibodies) to measure autoimmune activity

Chani’s results showed low free T3, high reverse T3, and elevated antibodies—all classic signs that her body was inflamed and unable to properly convert thyroid hormone.

I explained that Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is rooted in inflammation, often starting in the gut. Factors like leaky gut, chronic stress, gluten, infections, toxins, and nutrient deficiencies can all trigger the immune system to attack thyroid tissue. Without addressing these, the autoimmune process can continue, sometimes spreading to other organs—explaining why people often develop multiple autoimmune conditions over time.

The Root Cause: Healing the Gut and Supporting Thyroid Conversion

Chani was highly motivated to heal. We began with her gut health—the foundation of autoimmune recovery:

• Removed high-pesticide foods, plastic contaminants, gluten, and A1 dairy
• Added L-glutamine, bone broth, fermented foods, and probiotics to repair her intestinal lining
• Transitioned to a plant-forward, anti-inflammatory diet rich in clean proteins, fiber, and healthy fats
• Chose non-iodized sea salt and avoided iodine supplements, since excess iodine can worsen Hashimoto’s
• Installed a reverse osmosis water filter and switched to fluoride-free toothpaste
• Cleaned up skincare and cosmetics, eliminating endocrine disruptors like phthalates
• Focused on stress reduction and sleep, since elevated cortisol fuels inflammation

We also added targeted nutrients to support thyroid function and antioxidant defense:

• Selenium, glutathione, and vitamin C to protect thyroid tissue
• Methylated B vitamins and inositol to aid T4-to-T3 conversion

The Results: From Fatigue to Freedom

Twelve weeks later, Chani returned glowing.

“I feel incredible,” she said. “I have energy I haven’t felt in years.”

Her constipation was gone. Her mood was stable. She had lost seven pounds—without extreme dieting. Lab tests confirmed antibody levels had dropped dramatically, free T3 was normalized, and reverse T3 had fallen into the optimal range.

By month four, her doctor lowered her Synthroid dose, and by month six, she was down to just 25 mcg/day—feeling better than ever.

I reminded her that beyond the symptom relief, she had done something even more powerful: she likely stopped the autoimmune process in its tracks.

Key Takeaways: Healing Hashimoto’s from the Inside Out

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is not just a thyroid problem—it’s an immune system problem. Treating it requires more than hormone replacement; it requires identifying and calming the triggers of inflammation.

Functional medicine offers a framework for:

• Healing the gut, where most of the immune system resides
• Reducing toxic exposure and nutrient deficiencies
• Supporting the body’s natural hormone conversion pathways
• Preventing the autoimmune cascade that can lead to other diseases

Chani’s story is proof that when we address the “why” behind the diagnosis, the body has an incredible capacity to heal.