Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Introduction

Hashimoto's disease is a commonautoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located in the front part of the neck, and the hormone it produces is vital to normal metabolism. In an autoimmune disorder like Hashimoto's disease, the body's immune system mistakenly perceives the thyroid gland as a foreign and possibly harmful element in the body and attacks it. This results in inflammation of thyroid tissue that eventually can destroy the function of the thyroid gland and lead to an underactive thyroid gland. This is calledhypothyroidism. Hasimoto's disease is a common cause of hypothyroidism. When Hashimoto's disease results in hypothyroidism, the thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormone. A lack of thyroid hormone results in a slowing of the body's chemical processes and metabolism. Hashimoto's disease that results in hypothyroidismmay also lead to serious, potentially life-threatening complications. The symptoms of Hashimoto's disease can vary between individuals. Many people may have no symptoms at all. When there are symptoms of Hasimoto's disease, they are due to the develoment ofhypothyroidism. Symptoms frequently include an enlarged thyroid, fatigue and weight gain. The most extreme form of hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto's disease is a life threatening complication called myxedema coma. Symptoms of myxedema coma include shock and unresponsiveness. For more details on symptoms and complications, refer tosymptoms of Hashimoto's disease. Hashimoto's disease is more common in women than in men. There may be a hereditary element in the develoment of Hashimoto's disease because it tends to run in families.

Making a diagnosis of Hashimoto's disease begins with taking a thorough medical history, including symptoms, and completing a physical examination. The physician or health care provider may feel a larger than normal thyroid gland in the neck.

A blood test is performed to determine levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and the thyroid hormone thyroxine. High levels of TSH and low levels of thyroxine indicate that a thyroid gland is underactive, (hypothyroidism), which can be the result of Hashimoto's disease. Other tests may be performed to check for potential complications of Hashimoto's disease andhypothyroidism, such as heart disease. These can include blood tests that can

revealhypercholesterolemia, increased liver enzymes, or anemia. A chest X-ray may be done to evaluate the size of the heart. It is possible that a diagnosis of Hashimoto's disease can be missed or delayed because there often are no symptoms. In addition, early symptoms can be mild or assumed to be associated with other conditions, such as aging or stress. For more information on misdiagnosis, refer tomisdiagnosis of Hashimoto's disease. Hashimoto's disease cannot be cured, and people with the disorder that leads to hypothyroidismhave to take thyroid hormone replacement medication for the rest of their lives. However, this treatment is generally very effective in relieving symptoms. For more information on treatment, refer to treatment of Hashimoto's disease. ...more Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a type of autoimmune disease in which the immune system destroys the thyroid, the gland that helps set the rate of ... more about Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Hashimoto thyroiditis is characterized by the destruction of thyroid cells by various cell- and antibody-mediated immune processes. Patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis have antibodies to various thyroid antigens, the most frequently detected of which include antithyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO), antithyroglobulin (anti-Tg), and, to a lesser extent, TSH receptor-blocking antibodies. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is available below.

The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis includes the 48 symptoms listed below: No symptoms Goiter Lump at front of neck Protruding eyes Low thyroid hormone level Hypothyroidism - see symptoms of hypothyroidism Mental slowness Physical slowness Slow pulse Cold sensitivity Weight gain Coarse skin Dry skin Fatigue Depression Muscle weakness Brittle hair Constipation Muscle cramps Increased menstrual flow Neck discomfort Periodic paralysis Thyroid enlargement Myxedema Musculoskeletal symptoms Rheumatoid arthritis Reduced thyroid hormone level Hoarse voice Pale skin Facial swelling Muscle tenderness Muscle stiffness Joint pain Joint stiffness Excessive menstrual bleeding Symptoms of Hashimoto's thyroiditis might include symptoms of hyperthyroidism in the early phase of the disease, and then hypothyroidism:

Mania Sensitivity to cold Panic attacks Bradycardia Tachycardia High cholesterol Reactive hypoglycemia

Migraines Cramps Memory loss Infertility Hair loss more information...

Research symptoms & diagnosis of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Overview -- Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Diagnostic Tests for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Home Diagnostic Testing Complications -- Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Doctors & Specialists Misdiagnosis and Alternative Diagnoses Hidden Causes of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Other Causes -- causes of these or similar symptoms

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Symptom Checkers

Review the available symptom checkers for these symptoms of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis:

Goiter -- Symptom Checker Protruding eyes -- Symptom Checker Hypothyroidism -- Symptom Checker Mental slowness -- Symptom Checker Slow pulse -- Symptom Checker Cold sensitivity -- Symptom Checker Weight gain -- Symptom Checker Dry skin -- Symptom Checker Fatigue -- Symptom Checker Depression -- Symptom Checker Muscle weakness -- Symptom Checker Brittle hair -- Symptom Checker Constipation -- Symptom Checker Muscle cramps -- Symptom Checker Thyroid enlargement -- Symptom Checker Musculoskeletal symptoms -- Symptom Checker Rheumatoid arthritis -- Symptom Checker Hoarse voice -- Symptom Checker Pale skin -- Symptom Checker Muscle stiffness -- Symptom Checker Joint pain -- Symptom Checker Joint stiffness -- Symptom Checker Excessive menstrual bleeding -- Symptom Checker Mania -- Symptom Checker High cholesterol -- Symptom Checker Cramps -- Symptom Checker

Infertility -- Symptom Checker Hair loss -- Symptom Checker

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Symptom Assessment Questionnaires

Review the available Assessment Questionnaires for the symptoms of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis:

Protruding eyes -- Assessment Questionnaire Cold sensitivity -- Assessment Questionnaire Dry skin -- Assessment Questionnaire Fatigue -- Assessment Questionnaire Depression -- Assessment Questionnaire Muscle weakness -- Assessment Questionnaire Constipation -- Assessment Questionnaire Muscle cramps -- Assessment Questionnaire Hoarse voice -- Assessment Questionnaire Pale skin -- Assessment Questionnaire Joint pain -- Assessment Questionnaire Mania -- Assessment Questionnaire High cholesterol -- Assessment Questionnaire Cramps -- Assessment Questionnaire Hair loss -- Assessment Questionnaire

Prognosis of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis:With early diagnosis, timely institution of levothyroxine replacement therapy, informed patient follow-up care, and attention to other attendant complications, the prognosis is excellent and patients lead a normal life. ...see also Overview of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Prognosis for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis:Most patients regain normal health with treatment. (Source: excerpt from Endocrine Diseases: NWHIC) ...see also Overview of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Onset of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: The most commonly affected age range is 30-50 years, with the peak incidence in men occurring 10-15 years later.