Hashimoto’s disease, also known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, is a thyroid disease in which the body’s own immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid gland, often resulting in hypothyroidism. It is one of many autoimmune diseases which occur when the immune system becomes misdirected and attacks the organs or tissues that it was initially designed to protect. The thyroid gland makes hormones that control how your body uses energy. When you have Hashimoto’s disease, your thyroid gland may become swollen or irritated and unable to produce hormones the way it is supposed to.
Symptoms of Hashimoto’s Disease
The most common symptoms of Hashimoto’s disease include weight gain, sensitivity or intolerance to cold, fatigue, depression, forgetfulness, muscle weakness, dry skin, constipation, muscle cramps, infertility, slow heart beat, and increased menstrual flow (heavy periods). Other symptoms may include mania, high cholesterol, reactive hypoglycemia, migraines, memory loss and/or hair loss. You may also have trouble swallowing certain types of foods or have a feeling of “tightness” in your throat. Also, some people with thyroid disease may discover a swelling or large nodule, also known as a goiter, located on the front of the neck.
Who gets it and why?
According to the Mayo Clinic, a combination of factors, including heredity, sex and age may determine your likelihood of developing the disease. The most common cause of hypothyroidism in North America, Hashimoto’s Disease affects an average of 1 in 1,000 people. A blood test can reveal whether or not your thyroid gland is working properly. It is most common in women between 30 and 50 years of age, but can affect people of any age, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. If autoimmune or thyroid diseases run in your family, your chances of having Hashimoto’s disease may increase.
How is it treated?
There is no cure for Hashimoto’s disease. Thyroid medication can usually replace the hormones your thyroid gland may be failing to produce. Many people will have to take daily medicine, such as Synthroid or Levothyroxine, depending on blood test results. If treated properly with daily thyroid medicine, physician monitoring and regular blood tests to check your thyroid hormone levels, Hashimoto’s disease is very manageable and symptoms such as tiredness, weight gain and constipation can be prevented.
Possible Complications
If left untreated, Hashimoto’s disease can cause many complications. According to the Mayo Clinic, “babies born to women with untreated hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto’s disease may have a higher risk of birth defects.” Doctors believe there is a link between these children and intellectual and developmental problems, heart and kidney problems, and cleft palate. If any of these conditions are diagnosed early on, chances of normal development greatly improve.
Hashimoto’s has also been misdiagnosed as depression, cyclothmia (mood disorder), PMS, and sometimes even bipolar or anxiety disorder. TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) and anti-thyroid antibodies testing, by way of blood work, can usually resolve any diagnostic confusion.
Sources:
http://mayoclinic.com/health/hashimotos-disease/DS00567
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hashimoto’s_thyroiditis
http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/hashimoto-thyroiditis.cfm
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/hormone/548.html
