Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Why Are Women Affected More Often?

28 octobre 2025

2 min de lecture

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Hashimoto’s autoimmune thyroiditis is one of the most common thyroid disorders. Its hallmark is that the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid’s own tissues, causing chronic inflammation and gradually reducing hormone production. Women are about five times more likely to develop this condition than men. Why does this happen?

Points clés

Hashimoto’s autoimmune thyroiditis is one of the most common thyroid disorders.
Blame It on Hormones
Passed Down Through Generations

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Auteur de l'article

Dr. Oxana

Endocrinologist

Blame It on Hormones

Female hormones, especially estrogens, enhance immune system activity. While this helps the body fight infections more effectively, it also raises the risk that the immune system will “go off course” and start attacking its own cells. In contrast, testosterone in men tends to have a calming effect on immune responses, lowering the likelihood of autoimmune diseases.

Passed Down Through Generations

Studies show that genes linked to autoimmune processes are more frequently activated in women. In addition, women have two X chromosomes, which carry many genes that influence immune function. This “double set” can lead to breakdowns in immune regulation.

A Full Reset

Pregnancy places a tremendous strain on a woman’s body, particularly the thyroid and the immune system. To prevent the fetus from being rejected, the immune system goes into a “sleep mode,” but right after childbirth it wakes up again, essentially rebooting. It is during this period that autoimmune diseases—including Hashimoto’s—often appear or worsen.

Stress and More

Women are more likely than men to go on strict diets, get insufficient sleep, and experience chronic stress. All these factors disrupt the balance between the immune and endocrine systems, creating conditions for autoimmune disorders.

Poor nutrition often leads to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which also affect thyroid health.

Alarming Symptoms

Up to 60% of people with thyroid problems are unaware of their condition. The symptoms below are often mistaken for stress or vague “women’s issues,” but in fact they may be signs of Hashimoto’s, especially when several appear together. It’s time to see an endocrinologist and get tested if you experience:

Persistent fatigue and sleepiness;
Unexplained weight gain;
Hair loss, dry skin, brittle nails;
Irregular menstrual cycles.
Depression and memory problems

Getting Ahead of the Disease

The female immune system is designed to protect the body more effectively than the male’s, but this also makes women more vulnerable to autoimmune disorders. That’s why you shouldn’t wait for symptoms. Taking a proactive approach to your health and regularly monitoring your hormones can help prevent problems. Here’s what you can do:

Get regular blood tests: TSH, T4, and thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Ab).
Eat a balanced diet. Foods rich in selenium, zinc, and vitamin D are especially important for thyroid health.
Manage stress with yoga, meditation, and breathing practices.
Visit an endocrinologist periodically, even if you feel fine. This is especially important after childbirth or during times of hormonal change (perimenopause, menopause).

The risk of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis increases after age 30, peaking between 40 and 60 years.

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