Acupuncture for Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and hypothyroidism are increasingly common conditions that can impact energy, mood, metabolism, and reproductive health. At Seed Acupuncture in Encinitas, we provide personalized acupuncture and herbal medicine to regulate thyroid function, reduce inflammation, and support long-term well-being.
Understanding Hashimoto’s and Hypothyroidism
Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, leading to chronic inflammation and impaired thyroid function. Nearly 10% of the U.S. population is affected, and women are seven to 10 times more likely to develop this condition than men. Risk factors include a family history of thyroid or autoimmune conditions, postpartum changes, and prior thyroid issues.
Like many autoimmune diseases, Hashimoto’s can be difficult to diagnose early. Symptoms tend to develop gradually and often overlap with other health concerns, which makes them easy to overlook. Over time, however, imbalances in thyroid hormone levels can lead to a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain, constipation, sensitivity to cold, hair thinning, dry skin, depression, brain fog, and irregular or heavy periods.
How Chinese Medicine Approaches Thyroid Health
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, thyroid dysfunction is often viewed through the lens of Kidney Yang deficiency, Spleen Qi deficiency, or Liver Qi stagnation, which are patterns that affect metabolic function, mood regulation, and hormonal balance. Treatments aim to restore core energy, support immune modulation, and address the underlying root of fatigue or sluggish metabolism.
At Seed Acupuncture, we work in collaboration with your endocrinologist and existing treatment plan to help you feel more energized, regulated, and resilient for optimized long term health.
Questions? Start Here!
Hashimoto’s and Fertility: The Critical Connection
Hashimoto’s can have a meaningful impact on fertility, particularly when left unrecognized or untreated. As an autoimmune condition, it doesn’t just affect the thyroid but can also interfere with key aspects of reproductive health. Women with Hashimoto’s are more likely to experience irregular ovulation, disrupted hormone signaling, and imbalances in the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis, all of which can make it more difficult to conceive naturally.
Studies have shown that thyroid autoantibodies present in Hashimoto’s may directly affect ovarian function by crossing into the follicular fluid and impacting egg development. This can contribute to a lower fertilization rate, fewer high-quality embryos, and reduced implantation success. Research also suggests women with thyroid autoimmunity may have a higher risk of early miscarriage, even when thyroid hormone levels appear normal. In fact, Hashimoto’s has been identified in up to 19% of women with unexplained infertility and is associated with lower live birth rates in IVF and ICSI cycles if not properly managed.
That being said, having Hashimoto’s does not mean you can’t get pregnant or have a healthy baby. Many women with this condition go on to have smooth pregnancies and thriving children, especially with the right support. At Seed Acupuncture, we work in collaboration with your reproductive endocrinologist and OBGYN to help stabilize thyroid function, regulate immune activity, and support hormone balance. Through individualized acupuncture and herbal therapy, we aim to improve ovarian response, support egg quality, and prepare your body for a successful conception and pregnancy.
How Acupuncture Supports Thyroid Health
Acupuncture has been shown to regulate immune function, improve circulation to the thyroid, and reduce inflammation. A 2024 meta-analysis found that acupuncture significantly improved TPO antibodies, Thyroglobulin antibodies, Free T3, Free T4, and TSH levels when compared with standard medication alone. Regular treatment helps restore balance to the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis, reduce stress, and alleviates the fatigue, brain fog, and mood symptoms often associated with thyroid dysfunction.
