Treating Hashimoto’s Holistically: What I Recommend to My Patients at Home

Many patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis come into my office feeling frustrated with conventional medicine and are looking into treating their Hashimoto's holistically. To their conventional doctor, their lab work may look “normal,” yet they’re still dealing with fatigue, brain fog, weight changes, hair thinning, or persistent inflammation. What isn’t widely understood is that Hashimoto’s behaves very differently from a typical thyroid disorder. This is because it is an immune system issue, and that’s why standard treatment alone doesn't always solve the problem.

Hashimoto’s is a chronic autoimmune condition, meaning symptoms can fluctuate based on inflammation, stress, and daily habits, even when thyroid hormone levels appear stable. Understanding this pattern is key because it explains why lifestyle changes at home play such a critical role in how patients feel.

Below are the foundational lifestyle changes I walk through with my Hashimoto’s patients using a holistic functional medicine approach.

1. Focus on Calming the Immune System, Not Just the Thyroid

Hashimoto’s occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid. Because of that, chasing a “normal” TSH number isn’t enough. When trying to treat an autoimmune condition like Hashimoto's, it's important to have a holistic approach to determine the root cause of the disease.

At home, we start off by focusing on habits that reduce immune stress and inflammation, including:

• Eating anti-inflammatory foods

• Regulating blood sugar

• Improving sleep

• Managing chronic stress

When the immune system calms down, thyroid symptoms often improve as a result.

2. Clean Up Your Diet (This Is Often Step One)

Diet is one of the most powerful tools my patients have for managing their Hashimoto's.

I often recommend starting by removing common inflammatory triggers, including:

• Gluten

• Highly processed foods

• Refined sugar

• Alcohol

Gluten, in particular, can be a major trigger for people with Hashimoto’s due to molecular mimicry, meaning the immune system can confuse gluten proteins with thyroid tissue.

At home, I encourage patients to focus on:

• Whole, unprocessed foods

• High-quality protein

• Healthy fats

• Plenty of vegetables

• Micronutrients

• Stable meals that prevent blood sugar crashes

Even small dietary changes can lead to noticeable improvements in energy, brain fog, and digestion.

3. Support Gut Health Daily

I remind my patients that the majority of the immune system lives in the gut. If the gut is inflamed or compromised, Hashimoto's is much harder to calm and put into remission.

Simple ways to support gut health at home include:

• Eating slowly and mindfully

• Avoiding foods that cause bloating or discomfort

• Staying well hydrated

• Supporting digestion with adequate fiber and nutrients

For some patients, we may need to dig deeper into gut health, but these daily habits are a strong foundation.

4. Prioritize Sleep and Nervous System Regulation

One of the most overlooked factors in Hashimoto's is chronic stress, and it is another important piece of the puzzle when trying to put Hashimoto's into remission holistically.

When your body is stuck in fight-or-flight mode, inflammation increases and hormone balance suffers. I often tell patients: you can eat perfectly and take all the right supplements, but if your nervous system is constantly overwhelmed, healing will stall.

At home, this looks like:

• A consistent sleep schedule

• Reducing screen time before bed

• Gentle evening routines

• Daily movement like walking or stretching

• Breathing exercises or time outdoors

These should not be considered “extras” because they’re essential.

5. Move Your Body, But Don’t Overdo It

Exercise should support healing and avoid exhausting the body.

I usually recommend:

• Walking

• Light strength training

• Yoga or Pilates

• Low-impact movement

Excessive high-intensity exercise can sometimes worsen fatigue and increase stress hormones in Hashimoto’s patients, which can cause a flare-up in their condition. The goal is to find a workout routine that is sustainable and one that patients can maintain.

6. Be Thoughtful With Supplements

Many patients come in taking handfuls of supplements and are hoping for a quick fix. I encourage a more intentional approach.

Certain nutrients, like selenium, zinc, vitamin D, iron, or B12, can be important for thyroid and immune health, but more isn’t always better.

At home, the best approach is:

• Avoid supplementing blindly

• Pay attention to how your body responds

• Work with a provider who understands autoimmune thyroid conditions

7. Remember: Healing Is a Process

One of the most important things I tell my Hashimoto’s patients is to be patient with themselves.

Autoimmune healing doesn’t happen overnight. But with consistent lifestyle changes, many people experience:

• Improved energy

• Clearer thinking

• Fewer flares

• Better quality of life

The body wants to heal, and it just needs the right environment.

My Thought for Patients

Treating Hashimoto’s holistically means looking at each person as a unique individual and treating them based on their body's unique needs. We see the most success and improvement in a patient's health when the patient takes an active role in their daily habits. By focusing on their tailored nutrition, reducing stress, and getting adequate rest, they often feel more empowered and see great progress.

If you’re struggling with Hashimoto's, but you still don’t feel your best, know that there are steps you can take. Small and consistent changes at home can have a profound impact over time.