Originally published on 20th September 2018 Last updated on 9th August 2024
Vaccinations are always a controversial topic and among thyroid patients, the flu vaccine especially.
So, should we thyroid patients be getting the flu vaccine?
Firstly, What is it?
The flu vaccination stimulates your body’s immune system to make antibodies that attack the flu virus, when it inserts non-live flu virus in to the body.
The idea is that if you’re then exposed to the flu virus after you’ve already had the flu vaccine, your immune system will recognise the virus and immediately produce antibodies to fight it off, lowering your chances of coming down with the flu. Despite common misconceptions, the flu vaccine cannot cause the flu because it is a non-live version.
In The UK
In the UK, the flu vaccine is offered for free to many people every year. Anyone aged 65+, pregnant, children and adults with an underlying health condition (making them higher risk for complications of the flu) or weakened immune system are offered the vaccine at no cost (on the NHS).
It’s important to know however that having hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s doesn’t automatically entitle you to a free flu vaccine on the NHS. Whereas some GP’s may approve those with a thyroid condition to have a free flu vaccine, it’s not standard for all, and whether you have other conditions alongside will also play a part.
If you’re not entitled to a free flu vaccine, you can pay £10 to have it privately instead.
But the question still remains – should we be having them at all? I break this down further on in the article.
In The US
How about the US?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), yearly flu vaccinations are recommended for everyone aged six months plus. In particular, they place an emphasis on pregnant women, those aged 50+, children under five, those resident in nursing homes or care facilities and people with conditions such as asthma, chronic lung disease, heart disease, endocrine disorders (such as thyroid disease) and kidney, liver and metabolic disorders.
Should Thyroid Patients Get The Flu Vaccine?
Always speak directly with your doctor about whether they believe you’re particularly at-risk for complications of the flu.
I’m not going to get in to the debate about the general controversy surrounding various vaccines, for which many people have strong views for and against, but instead just look at the flu vaccine in relation to thyroid disease and also autoimmune disease.
I’m not going to tell you whether or not you should get the flu vaccine, as I couldn’t possibly make that decision for you. Instead I’m hoping to give you the information you need to help you make a well-informed decision yourself.
Autoimmune Disease Concerns
For most of us with hypothyroidism, we have the autoimmune disease Hashimoto’s to thank. Around 90% of us have Hashimoto’s as the culprit causing our hypothyroidism [1], but many thyroid experts and specialists are concerned about the flu vaccination making Hashimoto’s worse. Some have even said they’ve witnessed a decline in their client’s health after having the vaccine, such as a thyroid / Hashimoto’s flare.
Therefore, asking whether or not you should get the flu vaccine as an autoimmune disease patient, is a reasonable question, as the vaccine interacts with your immune system.
There are no studies which seem to show the flu vaccine directly affecting thyroid health and function, but equally, there aren’t studies solidifying that it is completely safe either.
We do know that it affects the immune system though, as the very point of the vaccine is to have the body produce antibodies against the virus. This isn’t ‘natural‘ in a sense, and enough research hasn’t been conducted to know the possible outcomes, but for those with autoimmune conditions, it’s not unreasonable to question how these can be affected.
Weighing it up
Weighing up the chances of:
A) getting the flu vaccination and it flaring up your thyroid condition
with
B) not having the vaccination and getting ill (and possibly very ill) from the flu and this flaring up your thyroid condition, isn’t easy.
We may feel as if our choice is between going without the vaccination and risking catching the flu and it making us very ill, with having the vaccine and that worsening our health instead. It’s a bit of a double edged sword! And no one can say what your reaction will be until it is done.
Whether you decide that the flu vaccine is for you or not, remember that the best way to avoid contracting the flu is with good hygiene and certain vitamins and nutrients.
Bone broths, Vitamin C, D, Zinc and Selenium may all support the immune system, as does a well-balanced and nutrient dense diet.
Washing your hands, maintaining a good sleep schedule and keeping stress levels low also all help to avoid coming down with illness. For more information on looking after your thyroid health in the winter, check out this article.
In my case, I opt to get the flu vaccine every autumn. I have contracted a nasty strain of flu twice in my lifetime already. The latest, at 17-years-old, put me in the ICU, on life support and fighting for my life.
Weighing up whether the vaccine causes a flare up (not that it ever has) in my thyroid symptoms against contracting the flu and it putting me in hospital, is a no-brainer in my case. But everyone’s case is different and only you will know what you’re comfortable doing. Flu vaccine or no flu vaccine.
Do you get the vaccine? Feel free to share in the comments below but please be respectful of other people’s opinions too!
You can click on the hyperlinks in the above post to learn more and see references to information given.
References:
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3066320
