Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (HT) is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. This can lead to hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid becomes underactive. The thyroid gland, located at the base of the neck near the Adam’s apple, is a key part of the endocrine system, responsible for producing hormones that regulate various body functions.

In Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, the chronic inflammation caused by the immune attack leads to the gradual loss of thyroid function. Over time, this results in a decreased production of thyroid hormones, which are essential for metabolism, energy levels, and overall health. HT is the most common cause of hypothyroidism worldwide.

The exact cause of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (HT) is still unknown (idiopathic), but several factors are believed to contribute to its development:

1.    Genetics

o   Family history plays a significant role in HT, as it often runs in families. Like other autoimmune diseases, HT can be inherited, with genetic predisposition contributing to its transmission across generations.

2.    Gender and Hormones

o   Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is seven times more common in women than men, likely due to the influence of sex hormones. Hormonal changes during or after pregnancy can trigger thyroid issues in some women, with some developing HT in later years.

3.    Excessive Iodine Consumption

o   Some medications and diets that contain high levels of iodine can increase the risk of developing HT. Excess iodine intake has been shown to trigger autoimmune thyroid conditions in susceptible individuals.

4.    Exposure to Radiation

o   Radiation exposure is another known risk factor. For instance, people living near areas affected by atomic bomb radiation, such as in Japan, have shown increased cases of HT, as well as other conditions like Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Symptoms of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis:

In the early stages, symptoms of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (HT) may not be noticeable. However, over time, you might observe swelling at the front of the throat, known as a goiter. HT typically progresses slowly, leading to thyroid gland damage and a decrease in thyroid hormone levels in the blood.

The most common signs and symptoms of HT include:

·       Fatigue, sluggishness, and lethargy

·       Constipation, dry skin, and pale skin

·       Brittle nails and hair loss

·       Puffiness in the face

·       Enlarged tongue

·       Stiffness and pain in the joints

·       Muscle stiffness, tenderness, and pain

·       Unexplained or sudden weight gain

·       Symptoms of depression and memory lapses

·       Prolonged or excessive menstrual bleeding

·       Muscle weakness and increased sensitivity to cold.

While there is no definitive cure for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (HT), treatment focuses on managing the condition by regulating thyroid hormone levels and restoring normal metabolism. The most common approach is hormone replacement therapy and medications.

Synthetic hormones, such as levothyroxine, are commonly prescribed. These medications mimic the action of thyroxine (T4), a hormone naturally produced by the thyroid. Oral levothyroxine helps restore normal hormone levels and can reverse the symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as fatigue, weight gain, and cold sensitivity.

Medications are available in various doses and forms. The appropriate dosage is determined by factors such as the severity of the disease, the patient’s age, weight, and potential interactions with other medications.

In some cases, additional hormone treatments and supplements may be used to address specific symptoms associated with HT.

Stem cell therapy utilizes the body's natural repair mechanism to promote healing and regeneration. Stem cells, which are found in fat cells, bone marrow, and donor cord blood, have the unique ability to activate the growth of new, healthy cells in damaged tissues. In this therapy, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from donor cord blood are applied to the affected area, encouraging the body’s repair processes.

By enhancing the body’s ability to regenerate tissue, stem cell therapy boosts the natural healing mechanisms, facilitating recovery and introducing new, healthy stem cells to the site of damage.

According to innovative research, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown significant potential in controlling various inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune disorders, and myocarditis. Due to their strong immunosuppressive and regenerative properties, MSCs have become a promising option in regenerative medicine and immunotherapy.

In the case of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (HT), which involves the destruction or damage of the thyroid tissue, stem cell therapy may offer a new avenue for treatment. The damage in HT is primarily caused by:

·       The production of auto-antibodies,

·       The infiltration of cytotoxic T cells,

·       Fas induction (cytokine-mediated) on thyroid cells.

Bone marrow has traditionally been the primary source of MSCs, which effectively suppress the proliferation of T cells. However, extracting MSCs from bone marrow involves an invasive procedure, posing risks of complications and leading to a decline in the self-renewal capacity of these cells as a person ages. To address these concerns, alternative sources of MSCs have been identified, including:

·       Adipose tissue-derived MSCs

·       Placenta-derived MSCs

·       Cord blood-derived MSCs

These sources are easier to obtain, available in larger quantities, and free from significant ethical concerns.

In the context of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, in vitro studies suggest that stem cell therapy could potentially treat this complex autoimmune disease, which is currently only managed symptomatically. MSCs can modulate immune responses and potentially restore damaged thyroid tissue by immunizing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) through various mechanisms.

Exosomes and Autoimmune diseases:

Clinical research indicates that exosomes, when combined with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), play a significant role in treating autoimmune diseases by regulating inflammatory cytokines, the cellular microenvironment, and immune cells. These processes are closely related to both the adaptive and innate immune systems, with key involvement of macrophages, T-regulatory (Treg) cells, Th17 cells, CD4+ Th1 cells, and immunoregulatory microRNAs (miRNAs).

MSCs-derived exosomes help regulate T-cell subsets, particularly in autoimmune diseases. They reduce the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as Th17 and Th1 cytokines like IL-17AF, IL-12p70, and IL-6, while simultaneously increasing the concentration of anti-inflammatory Treg cells. This balance helps maintain immune regulation without affecting the overall lymphocyte count.

Similar effects of MSC-derived exosomes have been observed in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). In GVHD, exosomes suppress the differentiation of naïve T-cells, thereby mitigating the immune response.

Macrophages, which are a crucial component of innate immunity, can also be regulated by MSC-exosomes. Depending on the microenvironment, naïve macrophages (Mo) can be polarized into anti-inflammatory M2 or pro-inflammatory M1 phenotypes, allowing them to play specific roles in various immune responses. MSC-exosome therapy promotes the M1-to-M2 macrophage conversion, reducing the inflammatory effects of M1 macrophages.

Additionally, beyond autoimmune conditions, this combination therapy can facilitate metabolic homeostasis, helping to reduce obesity and adipose tissue inflammation.

Generally, Stem Cell Therapy has a satisfactory safety profile, good prognosis, and effectiveness. 

However, no medical procedure is 100% safe; so, the most frequent or common risk factors of SCT can be:

·       Lethargy and fatigue

·       Bleeding from the site of injection

·       Fever

·       Painful injection site

·       Allergic reactions

Management of Risks
Fever, lethargy, and pain are managed through the appropriate drugs along with the treatment. Bleeding and swelling of the injured site are manageable via proper technique. Allergic reactions are preventable through pre-injection history and care.

The benefits and effects of Stem Cell Therapy depend on several factors: the patient's health condition, underlying issues, lifestyle, and others. To assess your expected results, we would like to know more about you. A medical advisor will talk to you about your diagnosis and treatment options and collect information for the attending physician; they can answer all your initial questions:

·       Will the therapy work for my case? 

·       What does the treatment involve? Is it painful?

·       Is it expensive? How much does it cost?

At Renue we believe that if you are truly interested in Healthspan (Living better, not just longer.”) then it’s important that we are aware of our Biological Age vs Chronological Age.  Remember you can”t measure success without a starting point.  With TruDiagnostic’s TruAge testy you will receive 9 personalized Epigenetic Health Scores and actionable insights to slow aging

Biological Age

How old your body is compared to your real age

Pace of Aging

How quickly you're aging each year

Organ System Ages

The age of key organs (heart, brain, liver, etc.)

Fitness Age

Your physical health based on strength, lung capacity, and movement

Smoking Impact

How smoking has affected your epigenetic age

Alcohol Impact

How alcohol consumption has influenced your health

Generally, Stem Cell Therapy has a satisfactory safety profile, good prognosis, and effectiveness. 

However, no medical procedure is 100% safe; so, the most frequent or common risk factors of SCT can be:

·       Lethargy and fatigue

·       Bleeding from the site of injection

·       Fever

·       Painful injection site

·       Allergic reactions

Fever, lethargy, and pain are managed through the appropriate drugs along with the treatment. Bleeding and swelling of the injured site are manageable via proper technique. Allergic reactions are preventable through pre-injection history and care.

The benefits and effects of Stem Cell Therapy depend on several factors: the patient's health condition, underlying issues, lifestyle, and others. To assess your expected results, we would like to know more about you. A medical advisor will talk to you about your diagnosis and treatment options and collect information for the attending physician; they can answer all your initial questions:

·       Will the therapy work for my case? 

·       What does the treatment involve? Is it painful?

·       Is it expensive? How much does it cost?