Hashimoto's disease is a condition in which your immune system attacks your thyroid, which causes inflammation. This leads to an under-active thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). Your thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck below your Adam's apple. It produces hormones that control many of your body’s functions, such as metabolism, your cardiovascular system, and your digestion, and is part of your endocrine system.
Hashimoto's disease may also be called chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, and it is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. It may occur in all ages; however, most commonly affects middle-aged women.
What are the Symptoms of Hashimoto's Disease?
Since chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis typically progresses slowly over many years, you may not notice any signs or symptoms at first. Some people may notice a swelling at the front of their throat (this is called a goiter). Damage to the thyroid gland causes a drop in thyroid hormone levels in the blood, which causes symptoms of an under-active thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), such as:
- Brittle nails
- Constipation
- Depression
- Dry skin
- Enlargement of the tongue
- Hair loss
- Joint pain
- Memory lapses
- Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness or weakness
- Pale, dry skin
- Prolonged or excessive menstrual bleeding
- Puffy face
- Sensitivity to cold
- Tiredness or sluggishness
- Unexplained weight gain.
How is Hashimoto's Disease Diagnosed?
See your doctor if you have any symptoms suggestive of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. Your doctor will perform a blood test to check how your thyroid gland is functioning. People who have had any of the following done will need periodic testing of their thyroid gland:
- Thyroid surgery
- Treatment with radioactive iodine or anti-thyroid medications
- Radiation therapy to your head, neck or upper chest.
How is Hashimoto's Disease Treated?
Treatment for chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis may include a period of observation if there is no evidence of hormone deficiency or replacement therapy with the synthetic hormone levothyroxine. If you need levothyroxine, you usually need it for the rest of your life.
Synthetic levothyroxine is identical to thyroxine, which is made naturally by your thyroid gland. This medication restores hormone levels to normal and reverses all the symptoms of hypothyroidism.
