Living with Hashimoto’s: How to Handle Flare-Ups
Living with Hashimoto’s can feel like a roller coaster. Some days you feel pretty good. Other days, you’re extra tired, foggy, moody, or bloated for no clear reason. These tough days are called flare-ups. The good news? You can learn to manage them and feel more in control of your health.
What Is a Flare-Up?
A flare-up happens when your immune system gets triggered and starts attacking your thyroid again. This makes your symptoms worse for a while.
What Causes Flare-Ups?
Stress: When life gets overwhelming, your body makes cortisol, which can trigger more inflammation.
Food Sensitivities: Foods like gluten, dairy, or sugar can cause your immune system to react.
Lack of Sleep: Your body heals while you sleep. Without good rest, your thyroid can struggle.
Illness or Infection: Even a cold or virus can set off a flare-up.
Signs of a Hashimoto’s Flare-Up
Feeling extremely tired.
Brain fog or forgetfulness.
Mood swings or anxiety.
Constipation or stomach issues.
Swollen or puffy face.
Joint or muscle pain.
How Functional Medicine Helps
Many traditional doctors just prescribe thyroid medication and say, “Let’s wait and see.” But functional medicine does more than treat symptoms, it looks for the root causes of those flare-ups.
Functional medicine doctors:
Run a full thyroid panel, including antibodies.
Help you discover what foods and stressors trigger your immune system.
Support your gut, hormones, and lifestyle…not just your labs
With functional medicine, you get a personalized plan to calm inflammation, lower stress, and support your thyroid naturally.
What You Can Do During a Flare-Up
Rest and recharge—Your body needs time to heal.
Avoid trigger foods—Stick to clean, whole foods that don’t cause inflammation.
Practice stress relief—Try deep breathing, gentle yoga, or journaling.
Get support—You don’t have to do it alone. A functional medicine team can guide you every step of the way.
Take Back Control
Flare-ups are frustrating, but they don’t have to control your life. With the right tools and the right care, you can manage Hashimoto’s with confidence.