Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by an infiltration and destruction of the thyroid gland by the immune system. In this condition, immune cells produce antibodies against a key enzyme that is required for thyroid hormone production — thyroid peroxidase — and/or against thyroglobulin, which is the building block of thyroid hormones. Hashimoto’s is believed to be the most common cause of hypothyroidism in North America, and is among the most common causes of goiter in areas of the world where iodine intake is considered sufficient.

Insulin resistance is a common condition, affecting 10% of young adults and nearly 44% of adults in mid-life. It is now known that genetic factors play a role in insulin resistance. Diet, body composition, and exercise levels are also major causes, explaining the growing incidence of this disorder with modern lifestyles. Interestingly, insulin resistance may also contribute to infertility