Digestive & Immune

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Treatment in Greenville, SC

Hashimoto's thyroiditis treatment in Greenville, SC. Dr. Hendry addresses the autoimmune trigger and thyroid dysfunction together naturally. Call (864) 365-6156.

★★★★★

"Dr. Hendry has been working with me to heal my GI tract. 100% improvement in how I feel, taking 1/4 of my blood pressure meds, and am no longer taking cholesterol meds."

— Karen Hill · January 2025 · Google Review

What Is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis?

Most Hashimoto's patients tell the same story: years of fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, and cold intolerance. TSH comes back normal — or they've been prescribed thyroid hormone and still feel terrible. The hormonal consequence was addressed. The process that caused it wasn't. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common autoimmune disease in the developed world and the leading cause of hypothyroidism in the U.S., affecting an estimated 14 million Americans — primarily women. The immune system produces antibodies (TPO and thyroglobulin antibodies) that progressively destroy thyroid tissue. Standard testing often finds this late, because TSH doesn't rise until the thyroid has already lost significant capacity. Standard treatment replaces the hormone. It doesn't ask why the immune system is attacking the gland. That question — why — is where the functional medicine approach starts.

Common Symptoms

Fatigue and low energy — often the most prominent symptom

Weight gain and difficulty losing weight despite effort

Brain fog and difficulty concentrating

Depression and mood changes

Cold intolerance — feeling cold when others are comfortable

Hair thinning and loss, especially at the outer third of the eyebrows

Constipation and slowed digestion

Puffiness in the face, especially around the eyes, and swelling in the extremities

Root Causes: A Functional Medicine Perspective

Hashimoto's requires two components: genetic susceptibility and environmental triggers. The triggers most strongly implicated are: intestinal permeability (leaky gut) enabling thyroid antigen exposure to immune cells; iodine excess (particularly from iodine supplementation or high iodine diets) which can trigger autoimmune thyroiditis; selenium deficiency (selenium is essential for thyroid hormone metabolism and immune regulation in the thyroid); and molecular mimicry from gluten (the research on gluten and Hashimoto's is particularly compelling, with gliadin structurally resembling thyroid tissue).

EBV (Epstein-Barr virus) infection is now strongly linked to Hashimoto's onset — EBV can integrate into thyroid DNA and trigger autoimmune responses. Heavy metals, particularly mercury, disrupt thyroid function and immune regulation. Chronic stress activates the HPA axis in ways that dysregulate immune tolerance.

How We Treat Hashimoto's Thyroiditis at IHP

Dr. Hendry's Hashimoto's protocol addresses both the autoimmune process and the thyroid dysfunction it produces. A strict gluten-free trial (minimum 90 days) is universally recommended — multiple studies show significant reduction in TPO antibodies on a gluten-free diet. Selenium supplementation (200mcg/day) reduces thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies in Hashimoto's — one of the most evidence-based interventions in integrative thyroid care.

Gut healing protocols (eliminating intestinal permeability through dietary and supplemental interventions) reduce the autoimmune trigger. Thyroid hormone optimization — using comprehensive thyroid panel testing including free T3 and T4, not just TSH — ensures adequate cellular thyroid function beyond what standard lab 'normal ranges' guarantee. Acupuncture regulates immune function and supports thyroid health through neuroendocrine pathways.

Dr. Hendry's Approach

I run a complete thyroid panel for every patient I suspect has thyroid dysfunction: TSH, free T3, free T4, reverse T3, TPO antibodies, and thyroglobulin antibodies. TSH alone measures the pituitary's signaling, not what the thyroid is actually producing or how efficiently T4 is being converted to active T3. My Hashimoto's protocol addresses both the autoimmune process and the downstream thyroid insufficiency simultaneously. Gluten elimination, selenium supplementation, gut healing, and immune regulation — not just medication optimization. The goal is reducing antibody burden and protecting remaining thyroid tissue, not just managing the result of having lost it.

Treatments We Use for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Frequently Asked Questions About Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Can Hashimoto's antibodies be reduced?

Yes. Gluten elimination, selenium supplementation, vitamin D optimization, and gut healing can significantly reduce TPO and thyroglobulin antibodies — slowing or halting the autoimmune destruction of the thyroid. Some patients achieve complete antibody normalization.

Why does my doctor say my thyroid is normal when I feel terrible?

Standard TSH testing has a wide 'normal' range (0.5–4.5 mIU/L in most labs) that misses significant thyroid dysfunction. Many patients feel well only when TSH is between 1.0–2.0, and free T3 and T4 are in the upper half of their ranges. Dr. Hendry uses clinically optimal ranges, not just lab normal ranges.

Should I avoid iodine with Hashimoto's?

Iodine in excess can exacerbate Hashimoto's autoimmunity. Dr. Hendry recommends avoiding high-dose iodine supplementation while having Hashimoto's. Normal dietary iodine (from food sources) is generally fine. Selenium supplementation counterbalances iodine's potentially pro-inflammatory effects in Hashimoto's.

Is Hashimoto's the reason I can't lose weight?

Thyroid hormone deficiency profoundly slows metabolism, making weight loss nearly impossible even with caloric restriction and exercise. Optimizing free T3 levels — not just TSH — is essential for restoring metabolic rate and enabling weight management in Hashimoto's patients.

Do I need to take thyroid medication if I have Hashimoto's?

Not necessarily in early stages when the thyroid is still producing adequate hormone. As autoimmune destruction progresses, thyroid hormone supplementation typically becomes necessary. Dr. Hendry works with your prescribing physician to ensure your thyroid medication is appropriately dosed based on comprehensive panel values.

What is the difference between Hashimoto's and hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is a condition — insufficient thyroid hormone production — describing the end result. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common cause of that condition: an autoimmune process where the immune system produces antibodies (TPO and thyroglobulin antibodies) that attack the thyroid gland, progressively destroying its hormone-producing capacity. You can have Hashimoto's with normal thyroid hormone levels (early-stage, before significant destruction), and hypothyroidism without Hashimoto's (from iodine deficiency or surgery). Treating them requires different approaches: hypothyroidism needs thyroid hormone support; Hashimoto's additionally requires addressing the autoimmune trigger itself.

What triggers a Hashimoto's flare?

The most reliable Hashimoto's flare triggers are: gluten exposure (gliadin provokes intestinal permeability and molecular mimicry cross-reactions with thyroid tissue — even small amounts matter in sensitive patients), iodine excess from high-dose supplements, infections (particularly EBV reactivation), significant psychological or physiological stress (cortisol suppresses the regulatory T cells that hold autoimmune activity in check), and selenium deficiency (essential for thyroid peroxidase enzyme regulation). Sleep deprivation impairs immune regulation and can also precipitate flares. Identifying your personal triggers is a key part of the IHP Hashimoto's protocol.

What foods should you avoid with Hashimoto's?

Gluten is the most evidence-backed change — gliadin directly triggers zonulin release and gut permeability, and molecular mimicry between gliadin and thyroid tissue drives autoimmune attacks. A strict 90-day gluten elimination (not just reduction) is the standard first intervention. Dairy is the second most common trigger, often through casein reactivity or lactose-driven gut inflammation. High-iodine supplements should be avoided. Raw cruciferous vegetables in large quantities can interfere with thyroid function when iodine status is borderline — cooking substantially reduces this effect and these vegetables don't need to be eliminated, just not consumed raw in large amounts.

Can Hashimoto's go into remission?

Yes — meaningful remission is achievable, defined as significantly reduced TPO and thyroglobulin antibodies and stable or improved thyroid function. Some patients achieve complete antibody normalization. The most evidence-backed interventions are: strict gluten elimination (multiple studies show significant TPO antibody reduction within 3–6 months), selenium supplementation at 200mcg/day (a Gärtner et al. 2002 trial found 21% reduction in TPO antibodies after 3 months), vitamin D optimization (regulates T regulatory cell function that suppresses autoimmune activity), and gut healing. The goal is reducing autoimmune burden, protecting remaining thyroid tissue, and — in some patients — reducing the need for thyroid medication over time.