STRESS: The invisible trigger makes your symptoms worse.

Racing thoughts, rising pulse, tight shoulders… It's not just about feeling overwhelmed. Stress silently triggers a chain reaction in your body, making symptoms worse. Let me show you what happens when stress meets Hashimoto's.

Chronic stress results in consistently elevated levels of cortisol (your main stress hormone), which:

• Suppresses the pituitary gland, reducing the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
• Disrupts the conversion of T4 to the active T3, leading to an increase in reverse T3 (rT3). This accumulation prevents the body from effectively utilizing thyroid hormones.

Provokes an imbalance in the immune system:

• You may have heard that chronic stress suppresses the immune system (and this is true). Some people believe that stress does not affect autoimmune diseases because the immune response is already hyper-aggressive. However, in autoimmune diseases, the balance of immune cells is disrupted: those that usually fight infections become overactive and begin to attack healthy tissue, and regulatory cells cannot control this aggression. At the same time, high cell activity does not guarantee effective protection, since the body spends resources on self-inflicted damage, reducing the ability to resist infections. Thus, elevated cortisol deals a double blow - worsening overall immunity and increasing harmful autoimmune reactions.
• Stress contributes to a leaky gut, which increases inflammation and can enhance autoimmune reactions.

Disruption of the nervous system and sleep:

• Individuals with Hashimoto's disease often experience dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Chronic stress can lead to heightened activation of the sympathetic nervous system (the body's fight or flight response), exacerbating fatigue, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.
• Insufficient sleep can impair the sensitivity of cells to thyroid hormones.

Slows down metabolism and promotes weight gain:

Cortisol increases blood sugar levels and decreases insulin sensitivity, which may result in weight gain, particularly around the belly.

What you can do to reduce stress effect:

• Practice relaxation techniques
• Engage in physical activities
• Utilize breathing exercises
• Establish consistent sleep patterns
• Maintain balanced nutrition
• Process and work through emotions

BOTTOM LINE: Experiencing stress is an inevitable part of life. However, managing stress with Hashimoto’s is more than just a matter of psychological comfort. It is an essential strategy for reducing inflammation, enhancing hormonal balance, and improving overall well-being. Even small steps toward conscious stress management can significantly improve your quality of life 🌿💪