Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin B12
For the health condition: Hashimoto's Disease

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Vitamin B12 supplementation in Hashimoto's disease is primarily justified by scientific evidence, although the evidence is moderate rather than robust. Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune thyroid disorder, is frequently associated with other autoimmune conditions that can affect nutrient absorption, such as pernicious anemia and atrophic gastritis. Studies have shown that up to 40% of patients with autoimmune thyroid diseases, including Hashimoto’s, may have B12 deficiency or suboptimal B12 status (PubMed). The mechanisms are thought to relate to both autoimmune-mediated gastric mucosal changes and the general tendency toward polyglandular autoimmunity in these populations. Clinically, B12 deficiency can worsen symptoms common in Hashimoto’s—such as fatigue, weakness, cognitive impairment, and neuropathy—which can sometimes be mistakenly attributed to hypothyroidism alone. Correction of B12 deficiency in these patients can lead to significant symptomatic improvement. However, there is no evidence that B12 supplementation affects the underlying autoimmune process or directly improves thyroid function in Hashimoto’s disease. The primary justification for B12 supplementation is to correct or prevent deficiency, not to treat the thyroid disorder per se. Routine screening for B12 deficiency is recommended in patients with Hashimoto’s, especially if they have persistent symptoms despite adequate thyroid hormone replacement. In summary, B12 is used in the context of managing comorbid deficiency, with moderate scientific support for its benefit in symptom management in deficient individuals.

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