Home :: Family Health :: Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - Hashimoto's Thyroiditis symptom, treatment, causes

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is a chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland, resulting in reduced production of thyroid hormones and eventual development of HYROIDISM (thyroid hormone deficiency). Hashimoto's thyroiditis is thought to be due to AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE (in which the immune system produces antibodies that attack one or more of the body's own tissues), and occurs most frequently between the ages of 30 and 50. This disorder is more common in women than men, and in people with other autoimmune or endocrine disorders such as ADDISON'S DISEASE and DIABETES MELLITUS.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid gland that frequently results in hypothyroidism (lowered thyroid function). It is caused by a reaction of the immune system against the thyroid gland. The onset of the disease is slow, and it may take months or even years for the condition to be detected. Hashimoto's thyroiditi is most common in women and individuals with a family history of thyroid disease. It is a common thyroid gland disorder that can occur at any age, but it is most often seen in middle aged women. In many cases, Hashimoto's thyroiditis usually results in hypothyroidism, although in its acute phase, it can cause a transient thyrotoxic state. Hashimoto's disease may rarely be associated with other endocrine disorders caused by the immune system. When Hashimoto's disease occurs with adrenal insufficiency and type 1 diabetes, the condition is called type 2 polyglandular autoimmune syndrome. Hashimoto's stops the gland from making enough thyroid hormones for the body to work the way it should. It is the most common thyroid disease in the U.S. Some patients with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis may have no symptoms. However, the common symptoms are fatigue, depression, sensitivity to cold, weight gain, forgetfulness, muscle weakness, puffy face, dry skin and hair, constipation, muscle cramps, and increased menstrual flow.

If left untreated, hashimoto's thyroiditis can cause further complications, including changes in menstrual cycles, prevention of ovulation, and an increased risk of miscarriage. Less commonly, Hashimoto's disease occurs with hypoparathyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, and fungal infections of the mouth and nails in a condition called type 1 polyglandular autoimmune syndrome. The diagnosis is established by blood tests to determine how effectively the thyroid, gland is functioning, and to detect autoimmune antibodies against the thyroid gland tissue. The main symptoms are a painful swelling of the thyroid gland and symptoms of hyperthyroidism. These symptoms include heat intolerance, nervousness, palpitations and weakness. Hashimoto thyroiditis often causes low thyroid hormone levels, called hypothyroidism. This condition may be permanent. A deficiency of thyroid hormone may develop at a later time. Replacement therapy with thyroid hormone (levothyroxine) is given if the hormone is deficient or may be given if there is evidence of mild thyroid failure, also known as subclinical hypothyroidism. A small pill taken once a day should be able to keep the thyroid hormone levels normal. This medicine will, in most cases, need to be taken for the rest of the patient's life.

Causes of Hashimoto's thyroiditis

The common causes and risk factor's of Hashimoto's thyroiditis include the following:

• Idiopathic thyroid atrophy-destruction of thyroid tissue for unknown reasons.
• Infiltrative disease such as cancer or infection.
• History of family members with hypothyroidism.
• Medications (lithium, iodine, alpha-interferons, thiourea, amiodarone, interleukins).
• Genetics: multiglandular autoimmune syndrome.
• Exposure to radiation.

Symptoms of Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Some sign and symptoms related to Hashimoto's thyroiditis are as follows:

• Muscle weakness.
• Weight gain.
• Intolerance to cold.
• Heavy and irregular menses.
• Fatigue.
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking.
• Coarse, brittle hair; hair loss.
• Facial puffiness.
• Menstrual abnormalities or infertility.

Treatment of Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Here is list of the methods for treating Hashimoto's thyroiditis:

• Replacement therapy with thyroid hormone (levothyroxine) is given if the hormone is deficient or may be given if there is evidence of mild thyroid failure (such as elevated TSH), also known as subclinical hypothyroidism.
• To reduce the discomfort from constipation, you will be asked to eat a high-fiber diet.
• A small pill taken once a day should be able to keep the thyroid hormone levels normal. This medicine will, in most cases, need to be taken for the rest of the patient's life.
• Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate), used to prevent high blood potassium levels.
• If goiter does not improve, surgery may be required.

Early in the disease there may be no symptoms other than painless GOITRE (swelling of the thyroid gland) or a feeling of fullness in the throat. Later, symptoms of hypothyroidism such as tiredness, intolerance of cold conditions, slow heart rate and dry skin develop. The diagnosis is established by blood tests to determine how effectively the thyroid, gland is functioning, and to detect autoimmune antibodies against the thyroid gland tissue. Treatment involves taking tablets that contain thyroid hormones every day indefinitely.