What Are The Best Books On Hashimoto’s Disease?

Hashimoto's disease is the most common form of hypothyroidism. It primarily affects women, although exact numbers are hard to determine as many sufferers are not diagnosed until the disease has progressed.

Finding out good information about your condition can be challenging. Books about Hashimoto's disease abound, and it can be hard to work out which ones are actually the best, providing solid information as opposed to fad diets or "lifestyle changes" that won't actually work.

What is Hashimoto's disease?

Also called Hashimoto's thyroiditis, it is an autoimmune disease in which antibodies attack your thyroid, causing chronic inflammation, damage, and ultimately a drop in your thyroid hormone levels.

It is most common in middle-aged women and tends to run in families. There is no cure for Hashimoto's disease, but it can be treated and managed, and most patients will lead a normal life as long as they continue to take their medication.

Why read about Hashimoto's?

Reading books about Hashimoto's can help you better understand the disease. And while there are no proven diet or lifestyle changes that work, learning what has helped other people feel better can give you options for lifestyle and diet changes to try.

It also helps you recognize that you are not alone. Many of these books are written by people who have Hashimoto's and know exactly what you are going through.

What to look for in a book about Hashimoto's

The primary thing to look for in books is specific research and information provided on a scientific basis. Some books are entirely anecdotal, and while this can help you feel supported, you may find yourself tempted to try interventions that are not scientifically proven or, worse, are being touted by "natural medicine" experts who give you advice that is outright dangerous and goes against medical wisdom.

It's also important to understand the purpose of the book you are reading. If something is simply a personal journey and should not be read as self-help or advisory, then it is fine to read it with that in mind.

Our top recommended books about Hashimoto's

While you should do your own research about books, there are some we have found that stand out from the crowd and are well worth considering. Again, always be aware of what you are reading.

Also, don't read about Hashimoto's to try and work out whether you have it. Make sure that you get an official diagnosis, especially as Hashimoto's can't be diagnosed from symptoms alone.

Blood tests are a key part of establishing whether you do indeed have Hashimoto's disease.

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Lifestyle Interventions for Finding and Treating the Root Cause

Author: Izabella Wentz, PharmD FASCP

This book is written by a licensed pharmacist who also happens to have Hashimoto's. She explores potential lifestyle changes that can potentially help balance your immune system and thus improve residual symptoms of Hashimoto's.

This is considered one of the top books about Hashimoto's thyroiditis out there, and the fact that it is written by an actual pharmacist with qualifications means that the advice within, while it might not work for everyone, is worth considering.

Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness

Authors: Dr. Broda O. Barnes and Lawrence Galton

This is one for somebody who wants to go down the rabbit hole of just how hypothyroidism affects you. It outlines, in-depth, how thyroid disease is often misdiagnosed, including case histories that illustrate the problems people can have. It also helps explain all of the medical jargon and acronyms and can help you really understand how your thyroid works and why you have the symptoms you do.

Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms? When My Lab Tests Are Normal

Author: Dr. Datis Kharrazian

Some people with Hashimoto's also have gluten intolerance¹, and this book suggests eliminating gluten from the diet. It's about the autoimmune condition that underlies Hashimoto's disease and may help some people with comorbid autoimmune systems. Be aware, though, that Dr. Kharrazian runs an institute with courses and thus may have an agenda to try and get people to follow his suggestions.

You're Not Crazy and You're Not Alone: Losing the Victim, Finding Your Sense of Humor, and Learning to Love Yourself Through Hashimoto's

Author: Stacey Robbins

While this book is not written by a doctor, it is written by somebody with experience helping women thrive. The book addresses the way women are dismissed, misdiagnosed, and have to deal with a medical labyrinth to get the treatment they need.

This book is much more about handling your diagnosis and dealing with the fear and anxiety that it can induce, and helping you avoid hating or feeling betrayed by your body.

What You Must Know About Hashimoto's Disease

Author: Allison Futterman and Dr. Brittany Henderson

This is a collaboration between Futterman (a journalist with Hashimoto's) and thyroid specialist Dr. Henderson. The book is unique in that it was written by a doctor and a patient working together, and it approaches Hashimoto's from the perspective of using all the effective tools at your disposal. It avoids the alternative medicine approach of trying to talk people out of taking medication. The book encourages you to find a thyroid specialist, if possible, and be more proactive in managing your condition.

The lowdown

There are a large number of books out there in addition to those we have listed. When choosing a book about Hashimoto's, look at the qualifications of the author(s) and also consider their approach. Be careful of alternative providers, who are likely to assert that you can control your condition with some weird diet. At the same time, some books written by mainstream doctors don't go into the other options which might be worth trying.

While reading books is no substitute for medical advice (and certainly shouldn't be used to diagnose yourself), they can help you understand things your doctor might miss and, above all, let you know that you are not alone.