Hashimoto's is the most common cause of hypothyroidism — and it's frequently missed by standard thyroid testing.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition where the immune system gradually attacks the thyroid gland, slowing hormone production over time. It's the leading cause of hypothyroidism in the United States.
Standard thyroid panels (just TSH) often miss it. A full thyroid antibody panel is usually needed to catch Hashimoto's early — before symptoms become severe.
We run a full thyroid panel — including antibodies, not just TSH — to catch Hashimoto's accurately. Treatment addresses both the thyroid and the underlying autoimmune activity.
Comprehensive thyroid and autoimmune workup to find and treat the actual cause, not just supplement the hormone.
Explore Functional MedicineThyroid hormone optimization alongside your broader hormone health.
Explore Hormone TherapyHashimoto's is diagnosed with blood work, not symptoms alone. A thorough evaluation typically looks at TSH, free T4 and free T3, plus thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and thyroglobulin antibodies. Depending on your symptoms and history, your provider may also check related markers such as vitamin D, B12, iron stores and blood sugar.
Results are reviewed with you in person at our Salina clinic, and treatment is individualized. For some patients that means thyroid hormone replacement with follow-up labs. For others it also means looking at sleep, nutrition, stress and other factors that can affect how you feel. Not everyone with positive antibodies needs medication right away, so monitoring is part of the plan.
Want to read more first? See why "normal" thyroid labs aren't always normal, where standard thyroid testing falls short, and what to do if you're tired with normal labs. Weight changes are common with thyroid problems, and our unexplained weight gain page explains how we approach them.
Hashimoto's gets missed constantly because most standard panels only check TSH. If your thyroid antibodies were never tested, you may not have the full picture yet.
Reviewed for accuracy by McKell Johnson, FNP-BC, Clinical Director, and the Abbott Health & Wellness care team.
Often connected to Hashimoto's: thyroid problems, weight gain, cold hands & feet, and chronic fatigue. Why "normal" thyroid labs aren’t always normal → Still tired with "normal" labs? →
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Comprehensive thyroid and antibody testing, and a real conversation with McKell Johnson, FNP-BC.