Overview of Hashimoto's Disease

Symptoms, Complications, and Treatments for Thyroiditis

Nov 2, 2009 Denise Oliveri

Hashimoto's thyroiditis sounds intimidating, but is actually a very common thyroid disorder. Learn more about symptoms, complications, and treatments for this disease.

Hashimoto’s disease also known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder that generally affects the thyroid glands. The disease was discovered and described first by a Japanese pathologist, Hakaru Hashimoto in 1912 [Hakaru Hashimoto: 1881-1934; EndocrineToday.com, November 1, 2007]. It is one of the most common thyroid disorders in the world and generally affects women between the ages of 30 to 50 years old. The disease is characterized by slow degeneration of thyroid function accompanied by enlargement or swelling of the thyroid gland (thyroid goiter). The majority of patients suffering from the disorder may not show symptoms, but could have initial episodes of hyperthyroidism.

Symptoms of Hashimoto’s Disease

There are distinct symptoms commonly associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Although some patients diagnosed with this disease did not have any symptoms at all, most have shown elevated levels of thyroid antibodies that principally counteracts thyroid antigens. In order to detect a thyroid abnormality before it gets out of hand, it is important to have a yearly screening done through a simple blood test.

Aside from the high levels of thyroid antibodies, people with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis can show signs of hyperthyroidism. A goiter may appear accompanied by difficulty in swallowing solid foods. Other common symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Skin dryness
• Cold intolerance
• Unexplainable weight gain
• Swollen face
• General weakness
• Pale skin
• Chronic muscle aches
• Episodes of constipation.
• Periodic eye dryness
• Dryness of the mouth cavity

It should be pointed out that not all of these symptoms may appear in a patient. It is also highly probable that you may not notice any symptoms of the disease. That is why it is important to undergo regular checkups and seek the assistance of a physician if you belong to the high risk group or if someone in your family has Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. It is a highly genetic disorder.

Hashimoto's Disease Complications

Hashimoto’s disease, if not treated on a timely basis, can have serious complications, especially for women. The disease can radically change the menstrual cycle, thus affecting the ovulation process. In fact, this type of complication can cause infertility and can also expose women to greater risk of miscarriage.

More serious complications of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis may include total heart failure, muscle failure, bone degeneration, and substantial reduction of bone mineral density. An often overlooked complication of Hashimoto's is depression.

Treatment of Hashimoto’s Disease

The good news is Hashimoto's disease is highly treatable. There are two methods of treatment used to control the disease, as there is no cure as of now.

The most common treatment preferred by medical practitioners is medication with a prescription drug for thyroid hormone replacement. The commonly used prescription medicine is levothyroxine sodium (Levoxyl). This can be administered orally, but sufferers will have to take this medicine for life. It may take some time for a doctor to find the right dose of medicine for each individual, but once under control the symptoms almost always get better or even disappear.

Patients under 50 years old will generally be given full thyroid hormone replacement medication. However, for elderly patients or those aged 60 and above, the dosage of thyroid hormone replacement will be reduced based on an individual's body weight.

Surgery is also a form of treatment for chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. Surgical care is commonly indicated if there is a presence of a large goiter that inhibits or obstructs airflow. If a doctor finds a malignant nodule in the gland, then surgical treatment is almost always recommended. A distinct presence of thyroid lymphoma is normally treated with radiotherapy. For patients who want to immediately depress the large presence of goiter for cosmetic reasons, then surgical care is also recommended.

Hashimoto’s disease can make the life of a sufferer difficult, as symptoms can wax and wane. The good news is there are proven ways to control the disease. The more information a patient can gather and the better understanding of how the disease affects an individual, the greater chance that living with Hashimoto's can become easier and very manageable.

Note: This article is not intended to be solid medical advice, but is an informational piece only. Always consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and direct treatment for any suspected disease, including Hashimoto's disease.

Sources

1. EndocrineToday.com
2. MayoClinic.com

The copyright of the article Overview of Hashimoto's Disease in General Medicine is owned by Denise Oliveri. Permission to republish Overview of Hashimoto's Disease in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Comments

Dec 19, 2009 2:45 PM

Guest :

I think you need to look at bacterial infections, specifically Borrelia or Yersinia Enterocolitica as the causative factor for Hashimoto's and not blame it on stress or a genetic condition. Genetics may play a role in who gets Hashimto's once the bacterial infection has embedded in your system.

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