Hashimoto's Brain Fog

Hashimoto's disease has become increasingly prevalent, affecting millions of people worldwide. Among the symptoms associated with Hashimoto's, one of the most challenging and frustrating is brain fog. In this article, we will explain possible root causes of brain fog related to Hashimoto’s and suggest interventions you can take to alleviate this symptom.  

Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. This attack leads to inflammation and compromises the thyroid's ability to produce hormones essential for metabolism, energy levels, and overall well-being. 

The resulting damage from Hashimoto’s prevents the thyroid from producing adequate levels of thyroid hormones, leading to a more well-known condition known as hypothyroidism.  Read more about symptoms, diagnosis, and our functional medicine approach to treating Hashimoto’s. 

Brain fog is a term used to describe a group of symptoms characterized by memory lapses, difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, and general feeling of mental fogginess. Unfortunately, brain fog may persist after the other symptoms of hypothyroidism resolve on conventional thyroid hormone therapy.

The exact mechanisms linking Hashimoto's and brain fog are not fully understood, but several factors may contribute to this symptom.

Hashimoto’s is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. The conventional treatment for hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto’s is a thyroid hormone replacement medication. 

When diagnosing hypothyroidism, your doctor will likely look at two blood tests called TSH and T4. The conventional range for a normal TSH is about 0.5 - 4.5 mIU/L. However, most functional medicine doctors prefer a narrower and more optimal range for TSH of 1.0 - 2.5 mlU/L. If your levels are higher than this optimal range, your brain fog may be due to an ongoing thyroid hormone imbalance known as subclinical hypothyroidism. Furthermore, some people may have normal T4 and TSH levels, but continue to suffer from hypothyroid symptoms due to poor conversion of T4 into T3. 

An imbalance in the gut microbiome, known as dysbiosis, has been linked to autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto's. Dysbiosis can then cause or worsen other gut conditions, like leaky gut, food sensitivities, and inflammation. 

A compromised gut can also impact the absorption of essential nutrients, including those necessary for thyroid function. Nutrient deficiencies, such as low levels of selenium, iron, vitamin D, and zinc, may exacerbate Hashimoto's brain fog and contribute to thyroid dysfunction.

Fluctuations in your blood sugar levels can cause or worsen brain fog. You can support healthy blood sugar levels and prevent these dramatic fluctuations by following our PFC Root Plate™ method. In this method, you aim to include a protein, fat, and fiber-rich carbohydrate with each of your meals and snacks. For example, instead of having coffee and toast for breakfast, you would have two eggs (protein), sliced avocado (fat), and whole grain toast (carbohydrate). This not only supports blood sugar balance but can also reduce cravings throughout the day.

Hashimoto’s brain fog is a frustrating symptom that impacts quality of life. Many people continue to experience this symptom even after conventional treatment. Main causes of brain fog are thyroid hormone imbalance and poor gut health. A comprehensive approach to treating brain fog may include optimizing T4 to T3 conversion, implementing physical activity, following a gut health protocol, and balancing blood sugar levels.

Want to get to the root cause of your brain fog? Learn more about working with our functional medicine team.