Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Also called Hashimoto’s disease that causes inflammation of the thyroid gland. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease, a disorder in which the immune system turns against the body’s own tissues. In people with Hashimoto’s, the immune system attacks the thyroid. This can lead to hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid does not make enough hormones for the body’s needs. The function of the thyroid gland is to control metabolism and metabolism.
Symptoms of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Hashimoto’s symptoms may be mild at first or take years to develop. The first sign of the disease is often an enlarged thyroid, called a goiter. The goiter may cause the front of your neck to look swollen. A large goiter may make swallowing difficult. Other symptoms of an underactive thyroid due to Hashimoto’s may include:
- weight gain
- fatigue
- paleness
- puffiness of the face
- joint and muscle pain
- constipation
- inability to get warm
- difficulty getting pregnant
- hair loss
- thinning, brittle hair
- irregular or heavy menstrual periods
- depression
- slowed heart rate
- Excessive sleepiness
- Increased cholesterol levels
Causes of Hashimoto’s disease
The cause of the immune system attack against the thyroid gland is unknown. Most medical researchers believe that a number of both genetic and environmental factors working in combination cause Hashimoto’s disease. Current theories include:
- Some type of microbe, such as a bacterium or virus, may prompt the immune system to attack the thyroid.
- A genetic defect may trigger the immune response. Genetic factors may play an important role.
- Women are more commonly affected.
- The condition may be related to ageing, since older people are at increased risk.
- Hashimoto’s disease also tends to run in families, which suggests that heredity may be important.
Complications of Hashimoto’s disease
Complications of untreated Hashimoto’s disease may include:
Goitre: the thyroid gland enlarges. In severe cases, the throat looks as if a tennis ball is lodged under the skin. Occasionally, a large goitre can interfere with breathing or swallowing.
Emotional problems: low thyroid levels can increase the risk of depression and libido problems, such as reduced sex drive.
Heart conditions: low levels of thyroid hormones allow levels of the ‘bad’ cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol) to rise. This can increase the risk of heart disease, including heart attack. In some cases, Hashimoto’s disease causes other cardiac conditions such as heart enlargement or heart failure.
Congenital defects: the unborn baby of a woman who has untreated Hashimoto’s disease risks various birth defects including cleft palate, and heart, kidney or brain malformations.
Myxoedema: this severe form of hypothyroidism produces symptoms and signs which may include unnatural sleepiness, extreme sensitivity to cool temperatures and coma. This condition may be fatal in severe cases. However, myxoedema is a very rare complication of untreated Hashimoto’s disease.
Diagnosis of Hashimoto’s disease
- Diagnosis of Hashimoto’s disease may include:
- Medical and family history
- Physical examination
- Blood tests to check levels of T4, T3 and TSH
- Blood test to check antibody levels.
Treatment for Hashimoto’s disease
With treatment, the outlook for most people with Hashimoto’s disease is excellent. Treatment usually includes medication with the synthetic thyroid hormone (thyroxine). The doctor will recommend regular blood tests to monitor your thyroid hormone levels to ensure they are within the recommended range. You will need to take the medication for life. Medication does not cure the condition, but helps maintain normal thyroid hormone levels. The symptoms will return if thyroid medication is stopped. Surgery may be required if the enlarged gland causes pressure symptoms.
Reference
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/thyroid-hashimotos-disease
https://www.thyroid.org/hashimotos-thyroiditis/
https://www.webmd.com/women/hashimotos-thyroiditis-symptoms-causes-treatments#2
