Michelle Madrigal reveals she has Hashimoto's disease

Michelle Madrigal on Instagram shared that this week, she was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease.

"It is an autoimmune disorder that can cause hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid," Mitch explained. "It means that my immune system makes antibodies that attack the thyroid gland. The thyroid becomes damaged and can’t make enough thyroid hormones."

Hashimoto's disease is also known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis and chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis and, as Mitch said, it is a disease where the body's immune system turns against itself and the thyroid gland is gradually destroyed.

Mitch said that she has developed goiter or an enlarged thyroid and she is aware that the hormones produced by it "control how our body uses energy."

WebMD further explains, "The thyroid gland makes hormones that control metabolism. This includes your heart rate and how quickly your body uses calories from the foods you eat."

The doctors have yet to prescribe medication for Mitch and she said that if would prefer to heal herself "in a holistic way."

"I have been doing my research on AIP [Autoimmune Protocol] diet and paleo diet, so I will most likely start with it after our vacation. I started cutting sugar & gluten into my diet and it is amazing that I am not really craving sweets lately," she shared.

Minding what she eats is only the first steps and she added, "I really am on a huge 'transition phase' of my life this year. So here’s to healing naturally and being healthy from the inside out!"

Per WebMD, Hashimoto's disease "may be mild at first or take years to develop." The signs and symptoms of the disease include:

• weight gain

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• fatigue
• paleness or puffiness of the face
• joint and muscle pain
• constipation
• inability to get warm
• difficulty getting pregnant
• joint and muscle pain
• hair loss or thinning, brittle hair
• irregular or heavy menstrual periods
• depression
• slowed heart rate

Currently, there is no direct cure for Hashimoto's disease, but "replacing hormones with medication can regulate hormone levels and restore your normal metabolism." — AT, GMA News