Are you at a higher risk for Fibromyalgia and thyroid conditions? Use an Ancestry.com coupon code to find out

Is there a connection between Fibromyalgia and thyroid conditions? The latest research shows that there definitely might be, specifically if you suffer from hypothyroidism such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. There might also be a genetic or hereditary component to both these health issues, and we have an Ancestry.com coupon code that can help you trace your family history. We’ll talk about some of the research, some of the risk factors, and steps that you can take to help mitigate symptoms.

What is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and what is Fibromyalgia?

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is also sometimes referred to simply as Hashimoto’s disease, or the medical name is chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. It is an autoimmune disorder where your body will actually attack and eventually destroy it’s own thyroid, which causes hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is when your thyroid does not function at a high enough level, so you will need to take medication. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common hypothyroid condition affecting adults in the United States.

Fibromyalgia is still not well understood, both in terms of what causes it and what it is exactly. Currently it is not classified as an autoimmune disorder, although that could change with the mounting evidence of it’s links to various ones. Both fibromyalgia and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis have several symptoms in common, such as fatigue, pain in the body, depression and/or anxiety, as well as ‘brain fog’ or cognitive issues. Both diseases are also more likely to occur in women than men, specifically those of child bearing age.

Okay, so why the Ancestry.com coupon code?

While the causes of Fibromyalgia are still unclear, there does seem to be a strong correlation between those who suffer from hypothyroidism and fibromyalgia. We do know that Hashimoto’s thyroiditis tends to run in families, so there is likely a genetic or hereditary component to your odds of developing the disease. Some argue that this may be more of a nature vs. nurture situation, as things like lifestyle, nutrition, and trauma are also possibly contributing factors to developing a thyroid condition as well. People who grew up in a lower-income family may not have had as much access to recreational opportunities, high quality nutrition, and may have been exposed to more traumatic events at a young age. They are also more likely to stay in a lower income bracket and have their children grow up in a similar environment.

However, we feel there is enough evidence behind the hereditary evidence that it warrants being used as an indicator if you are at risk for developing something like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and therefore fibromyalgia. If you are unsure of your family history, you can use a tool like Ancestry.com to research it. A lot of people think of the service as more for entertainment value, but it can give you clues into potential health issues you should be aware of and possibly take steps to mitigate. And since we believe in good value as well as good health, make sure that you use a coupon code when signing up for the service to save yourself up to 30%.

How to treat Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and Fibromyalgia

Neither disease is fatal on their own, but they are certainly not comfortable to live with. Aside from the chronic pain associated with both, the chronic fatigue and feeling like you never get restful sleep can be very mentally taxing which is likely why you see anxiety and/or depression frequently as a symptom of both. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and fibromyalgia won’t kill you, but they certainly aren’t a lot of fun to live with untreated.

If you have Hashimoto’s you should definitely work with a doctor on medication to supplement your body’s low thyroid gland production. In fact most doctors won’t diagnose fibromyalgia until this step has been taken, to rule out it just being particularly severe Hashimoto’s symptoms due to a low functioning thyroid.

There is the saying of ‘let your food be your medicine’ and I think that the next step in addressing any disease after medication should be rooting out any dietary issues. For both Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and fibromyalgia you will want to follow an anti-inflammatory diet to try and reduce flare ups. That means reducing your intake of sugar, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and refined oils and grains. Basically, you should try to limit your intake of ‘junk food’ and other highly processed items. Instead you will want to focus on eating whole foods and doing a lot of cooking at home. That means lots of leafy green vegetables, fruits & berries, animal products in moderation, and don’t forget spices. Anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric and cumin in particular can be really helpful.

Exercise can also be very helpful for both conditions. One of the common side-effects of Hashimoto’s is weight gain due to the sluggish thyroid gland, and regular exercise can be very helpful in combating that. Getting regular movement, especially outdoors, can also be very mood boosting which helps if you are feeling the depressive or anxiety-related effects that are common with both hypothyroidism and fibromyalgia. It can be difficult to start regular exercise if you are feeling the chronic fatigue that comes with both conditions but try to make it a habit and soon the positive effect exercise has had on your health will be all the motivation that you need.