Metabolism and Autoimmunity
Hashimoto's & Graves
The relationship between metabolism and autoimmunity is that the body's own immune system may mistakenly perceive the thyroid gland as an "enemy" and therefore attack it.
When that happens, the immune system forms antibodies against the thyroid gland, which can affect its ability to produce metabolic hormones.
Over time, this can lead to metabolic imbalance in two ways:
In Hashimoto's disease, the thyroid gland gradually breaks down, often resulting in low metabolism.
In Graves' disease, the gland becomes overstimulated, leading to increased metabolism.
This means that the problem is not just about the thyroid gland itself – but largely about the regulation of the immune system.
Autoimmune reactions often occur as an interaction between several factors, e.g.:
Genetic predisposition
Prolonged stress
Inflammation in the body
Imbalances in the intestine (e.g. leaky gut)
Infections
Deficiency of important nutrients such as selenium, zinc, and vitamin D
Therefore, it is important to understand that in many cases, metabolic problems are also about supporting and balancing the immune system – not just measuring hormone levels.
When we talk about autoimmunity in relation to metabolism, there are some specific antibodies that the immune system can form against the thyroid gland:
The most important antibodies:
1. TPO antibodies ( anti-TPO )
Targets the enzyme thyroid peroxidase, which is important for the formation of metabolic hormones.
Often elevated in Hashimoto's disease/Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in Denmark.
May be an early sign of autoimmune activity – even before metabolism changes in blood tests
2. Tg antibodies ( anti-thyroglobulin / anti-Tg )
Targets the protein thyroglobulin, which is used to produce T4 and T3.
Also often seen in Hashimoto's disease
Often used in conjunction with TPO antibodies to assess autoimmunity
3. TRAb ( TSH receptor antibodies )
Targets the TSH receptor on the thyroid gland.
Can stimulate the gland and increase hormone production
Typically elevated in Graves' disease
👉 The important thing is that these antibodies can be elevated long before metabolism changes significantly, and therefore they can provide important information if you have symptoms but "normal" blood tests.