5. Hashimoto’s Risk Factors
The direct cause of Hashimoto’s disease is still a mystery to medical science. However, studies show that specific risk factors may contribute to the development of the disease. Your genetic predisposition is the most significant risk factor for Hashimoto’s.
If your parents or siblings have Hashimoto’s, then it’s more likely that you will also develop the disorder. Autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and celiac disease have a tendency to be passed down through generations.
Research shows that women are 7 times more likely to develop Hashimoto’s than men. Women are most at risk after pregnancy when the body is trying to rebalance the natural hormone levels.
If you have a family history of the disease, excessive iodine consumption could trigger the condition. Its recommended consuming less salty foods in your diet if you are at risk of developing Hashimoto’s.
Radiation exposure from x-ray machines or chemotherapy is a significant trigger for the condition. People living with cancer run the risk of developing Hashimoto’s during their radiation therapy.