Mandate Early Screening and Diagnosis for Hashimoto's Thyroid Autoimmune Disease
Mandate Early Screening and Diagnosis for Hashimoto's Thyroid Autoimmune Disease
The Issue
Mandate Early Screening and Diagnosis for Hashimoto's Thyroid Autoimmune Disease
Patients with symptoms of thyroid disease have the right to be diagnosed properly, and in a timely manner. Running thyroid antibody tests (TPO-Ab and Tg-Ab) in addition to standard thyroid testing can accomplish this and provide answers years in advance. Unfortunately, many thyroid patients suffer for an average for 10 years before being diagnosed.
I suffered with thyroid symptoms for over 10 years before finally receiving a diagnosis of Hashimoto's autoimmune disease. I discovered this is a common problem. Thousands of people suffer for years before learning their correct diagnosis. In the meantime, their health deteriorates.
I visited a dozen different doctors during this decade, seeking help, knowing I had a thyroid problem. However, I was told repeatedly that my thyroid was fine and instead, I was offered antidepressants and birth control, which I did not need. In the meantime, my condition worsened. I developed thyroid nodules, and my condition spiraled into insulin resistance, diabetes, arthritic problems, and a skin disease that caused scarring.
Diagnosis of thyroid disease is commonly missed for an average of ten years. This can be avoided. My TSH level has always been between 1 and 2, which is normal. The TSH test can be misleading. Doctors presume your thyroid is fine if your TSH level is normal. However, my TPO-Ab (thyroid peroxidase antibodies) were elevated when this test was finally run. In fact, an elevated thyroid antibodies lab result is often the first indication of thyroid disease.
The endocrinologist that ran the antibody tests was not going to tell me my diagnosis. I saw her writing, "consistent with Hashimoto's" on her notepad, and I asked her if that was my diagnosis. She looked embarrassed and quietly said "Yes". She did not offer any information about the condition, the root causes, or any lifestyle or dietary changes. She simple prescribed levothyroxine medication and told me to come back in 6 months. I never returned. We deserve better medical care than this.
This condition affects mostly women who are primarily responsible for the care of their children and their parents. Men and children are also affected. The crushing fatigue, systemic inflammation, joint pain, muscle weakness, depression, weight gain, hair loss, heavy menstrual bleeding, and other symptoms negatively impact the quality of life for these patients and their families. Every person with thyroid autoimmune disease deserves to receive a timely diagnosis and early treatment to prevent serious impacts to their health.
Thyroid disease has skyrocketed over the past few decades. Currently, the American Thyroid Association estimates that approximately 20 million Americans have thyroid disease. According to the American Thyroid Association:
- Up to 60 percent of people with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition and go undiagnosed for years, which allows the disease to progress untreated.
- Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. It can cause extreme fatigue, depression, forgetfulness, and weight gain.
- Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. It can cause weight loss, heart palpitations, tremors, heat intolerance, and can eventually lead to osteoporosis.
- The thyroid gland is a small gland, but it produces a hormone that affects every cell, tissue, and organ in the body. When you have too little or too much thyroid hormone, it can cause a wide variety of symptoms.
- One in eight women will experience a thyroid problem.
Women are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid problems. - Pregnant women with undiagnosed or inadequately treated hypothyroidism have an increased risk of miscarriage, preterm delivery, and severe developmental problems in their children.
According to Dr. Izabella Wentz, the "Thyroid Pharmacist", it is estimated that between 90-97% of those with hypothyroidism in the United States have Hashimoto’s autoimmune disease. It is crucial for individuals to be aware of their autoimmune status so they can manage their condition and prevent it from worsening.
Therefore, we call upon the national health authorities to make early screening and diagnosis for Hashimoto's disease a mandatory practice.
Furthermore, we suggest that physicians learn to treat the autoimmune component of thyroid disease at the early stages (when medication and surgery are not necessary) and provide quality care to their patients, including:
- Resources explaining their condition (such as websites, books*, and names of experts)
- Comprehensive lab tests to diagnose any viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections causing their condition
- Comprehensive lab tests to uncover any food or environmental allergies
- Comprehensive lab tests to find any toxin exposures, such as heavy metals, agriculture chemicals, and other toxicants
- Referral to a functional medicine doctor, integrative physician, or certified health coach for assistance with addressing root causes, detoxification programs, and nutrition and lifestyle approaches.
Petition Signers:
By signing this petition, you're supporting a move towards better health care, improved understanding of autoimmune diseases, and potentially saving millions from unnecessary suffering. Please sign today!
To the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and our Honorable Senators and Congress Representatives:
Thank you immensely for your attention to this matter. Making these suggested changes could potentially improve the lives of millions of people.
Respectfully,
Julie A. Diaz
Sr. Technical Content Strategist, Author, and Certified Health Coach
* The petitioner is the author of the book Conquer Hashimoto's: How to Achieve Remission from Autoimmune Disease, Shrink Thyroid Nodules, and Avoid Surgery. This book contains a detailed lab testing guide to help patients discover their diagnosis and find and resolve the root causes of Hashimoto's autoimmune disease.
References:
86
The Issue
Mandate Early Screening and Diagnosis for Hashimoto's Thyroid Autoimmune Disease
Patients with symptoms of thyroid disease have the right to be diagnosed properly, and in a timely manner. Running thyroid antibody tests (TPO-Ab and Tg-Ab) in addition to standard thyroid testing can accomplish this and provide answers years in advance. Unfortunately, many thyroid patients suffer for an average for 10 years before being diagnosed.
I suffered with thyroid symptoms for over 10 years before finally receiving a diagnosis of Hashimoto's autoimmune disease. I discovered this is a common problem. Thousands of people suffer for years before learning their correct diagnosis. In the meantime, their health deteriorates.
I visited a dozen different doctors during this decade, seeking help, knowing I had a thyroid problem. However, I was told repeatedly that my thyroid was fine and instead, I was offered antidepressants and birth control, which I did not need. In the meantime, my condition worsened. I developed thyroid nodules, and my condition spiraled into insulin resistance, diabetes, arthritic problems, and a skin disease that caused scarring.
Diagnosis of thyroid disease is commonly missed for an average of ten years. This can be avoided. My TSH level has always been between 1 and 2, which is normal. The TSH test can be misleading. Doctors presume your thyroid is fine if your TSH level is normal. However, my TPO-Ab (thyroid peroxidase antibodies) were elevated when this test was finally run. In fact, an elevated thyroid antibodies lab result is often the first indication of thyroid disease.
The endocrinologist that ran the antibody tests was not going to tell me my diagnosis. I saw her writing, "consistent with Hashimoto's" on her notepad, and I asked her if that was my diagnosis. She looked embarrassed and quietly said "Yes". She did not offer any information about the condition, the root causes, or any lifestyle or dietary changes. She simple prescribed levothyroxine medication and told me to come back in 6 months. I never returned. We deserve better medical care than this.
This condition affects mostly women who are primarily responsible for the care of their children and their parents. Men and children are also affected. The crushing fatigue, systemic inflammation, joint pain, muscle weakness, depression, weight gain, hair loss, heavy menstrual bleeding, and other symptoms negatively impact the quality of life for these patients and their families. Every person with thyroid autoimmune disease deserves to receive a timely diagnosis and early treatment to prevent serious impacts to their health.
Thyroid disease has skyrocketed over the past few decades. Currently, the American Thyroid Association estimates that approximately 20 million Americans have thyroid disease. According to the American Thyroid Association:
- Up to 60 percent of people with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition and go undiagnosed for years, which allows the disease to progress untreated.
- Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. It can cause extreme fatigue, depression, forgetfulness, and weight gain.
- Hyperthyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. It can cause weight loss, heart palpitations, tremors, heat intolerance, and can eventually lead to osteoporosis.
- The thyroid gland is a small gland, but it produces a hormone that affects every cell, tissue, and organ in the body. When you have too little or too much thyroid hormone, it can cause a wide variety of symptoms.
- One in eight women will experience a thyroid problem.
Women are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid problems. - Pregnant women with undiagnosed or inadequately treated hypothyroidism have an increased risk of miscarriage, preterm delivery, and severe developmental problems in their children.
According to Dr. Izabella Wentz, the "Thyroid Pharmacist", it is estimated that between 90-97% of those with hypothyroidism in the United States have Hashimoto’s autoimmune disease. It is crucial for individuals to be aware of their autoimmune status so they can manage their condition and prevent it from worsening.
Therefore, we call upon the national health authorities to make early screening and diagnosis for Hashimoto's disease a mandatory practice.
Furthermore, we suggest that physicians learn to treat the autoimmune component of thyroid disease at the early stages (when medication and surgery are not necessary) and provide quality care to their patients, including:
- Resources explaining their condition (such as websites, books*, and names of experts)
- Comprehensive lab tests to diagnose any viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections causing their condition
- Comprehensive lab tests to uncover any food or environmental allergies
- Comprehensive lab tests to find any toxin exposures, such as heavy metals, agriculture chemicals, and other toxicants
- Referral to a functional medicine doctor, integrative physician, or certified health coach for assistance with addressing root causes, detoxification programs, and nutrition and lifestyle approaches.
Petition Signers:
By signing this petition, you're supporting a move towards better health care, improved understanding of autoimmune diseases, and potentially saving millions from unnecessary suffering. Please sign today!
To the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and our Honorable Senators and Congress Representatives:
Thank you immensely for your attention to this matter. Making these suggested changes could potentially improve the lives of millions of people.
Respectfully,
Julie A. Diaz
Sr. Technical Content Strategist, Author, and Certified Health Coach
* The petitioner is the author of the book Conquer Hashimoto's: How to Achieve Remission from Autoimmune Disease, Shrink Thyroid Nodules, and Avoid Surgery. This book contains a detailed lab testing guide to help patients discover their diagnosis and find and resolve the root causes of Hashimoto's autoimmune disease.
References:
86
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Petition created on July 14, 2025