Page 23 - The Autoimmune Protocol

The Autoimmune Protocol

Aside from genetic and environmental factors, sex plays a significant role in the instance
of Graves’ disease.

Females are much more likely to be diagnosed. In fact, females are over seven times more
likely to have Graves’ disease than males. Stress, certain infections, and even giving birth
can increase the likelihood of developing an autoimmune disease like Graves’ disease. If
you already have an autoimmune disease, you are also at an increased risk for developing
Graves’ disease.

Some common symptoms of Graves’ disease include weight loss (despite increased
appetite), hyperactivity, hair loss, heat intolerance, excessive sweating, frequent bowel
movements, and insomnia. Other physical signs to look for include a goiter (swollen neck
due to enlarged thyroid), and bulging eyes. If this disease is left untreated, the
consequences can be deadly. This is because the body has to work harder, putting more
stress on the heart. Abnormal heart rhythm and high blood pressure can result from this
disease.

Treatment for this condition ranges from drugs to help lower the amount of thyroid
hormone produced to surgery.

Surgery to remove part of the thyroid gland may result in the patient having to take
medication to help regulate their metabolism for the rest of their lives. Another treatment
includes radioiodine. This substance may be effective at treating the issue, but has been
found to cause the opposite effect (hypothyroidism) in some patients.

Crohn’s Disease

Like celiac disease, Crohn’s disease is a bowel disease. Unlike celiac, Crohn’s disease
affects many areas of the bowels, and not just the small intestine. With Crohn’s disease,
the body’s immune system attacks the gastrointestinal tract, causing a variety of issues
ranging from severe inflammation in the bowels, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss,
and fever.

There is some debate as to whether Crohn’s disease is a true autoimmune disease or a
disease caused by an immunodeficiency.

The autoimmune debate surrounding Crohn’s disease is whether or not it is a T cell
autoimmune disorder or the result of impaired innate immunity. Other theories about
this disease argue that an overactive cytokine response is to blame for the inflammation.

An interesting theory that aligns with several other autoimmune theories states that
modern humans are not exposed to enough beneficial bacteria, and thus the body does
not learn how to effectively combat common parasites.

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