Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Thyroiditis is when your thyroid gland becomes irritated. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common type of this health problem. It is an autoimmune disease. It occurs when your body makes antibodies that attack the cells in your thyroid. The thyroid gland becomes overrun with white blood cells and becomes scarred. This makes the gland feel firm and rubbery. The thyroid then can’t make enough of the thyroid hormone. Many people with this problem have an underactive thyroid gland. That’s also known as hypothyroidism. They have to take medicine to keep their thyroid hormone levels normal.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder. Normally, your immune system protects your body by attacking bacteria and viruses. But with this disease, your immune system attacks your thyroid gland by mistake. Your thyroid then can’t make enough thyroid hormone, so your body can’t work as well.

Things that may make it more likely to you for to get Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are:

• Being a woman. Women are about 8 times more likely to have the disease. Hashimoto's thyroiditis sometimes begins during pregnancy. The condition may get better in some women during pregnancy. But then it returns after delivery.
• Being middle age. Most cases happen between ages 40 and 60. But it has been seen in younger people.
• Having a family member with the disease (heredity). The disease tends to run in families. But no gene has been found that carries it.
• Having other autoimmune diseases. These health problems raise a person’s risk. Some examples are rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes. Having this type of thyroiditis puts you at higher risk for other autoimmune illnesses.

Each person’s symptoms may vary. Symptoms may include:

Goiter

This is an enlargement of your thyroid gland. It causes a bulge on your neck. It is not cancer. But it can cause problems such as pain or trouble with swallowing, breathing, or speaking.

Underactive thyroid

When your thyroid doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone, it can cause these symptoms:

• Tiredness
• Muscle weakness and joint pain
• Constipation
• Weight gain
• Not being able to handle cold
• Depression
• Hair and skin changes

Overactive thyroid

When the thyroid is attacked by antibodies, it may at first make more thyroid hormone. This is called Hashitoxicosis. It does not happen to everyone. But it can cause these symptoms: 

• Not being able to handle heat
• Fast heart rate
• Sweating
• Weight loss
• Tremors
• Anxiety

These symptoms may look like other health problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

Your healthcare provider will ask about your health history and give you a physical exam. You will also have blood tests. These can measure your thyroid hormone levels and check for some antibodies to proteins in the thyroid.

Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.

You will not need treatment if your thyroid hormone levels are normal. But Hashimoto's thyroiditis can cause an underactive thyroid gland. If so, it can be treated with medicine. The medicine replaces lost thyroid hormone. That should stop your symptoms. It can also ease a goiter if you have one. A goiter can cause problems such as pain or trouble swallowing, breathing, or speaking. If these symptoms don’t get better, you may need surgery to remove the goiter.

Tell your healthcare provider if your symptoms get worse or you have new symptoms.

• Hashimoto's thyroiditis can cause your thyroid to not make enough thyroid hormone.
• It is an autoimmune disease. It occurs when your body makes antibodies that attack the cells in your thyroid.
• Symptoms may include an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter), tiredness, weight gain, and muscle weakness.
• You don’t need treatment if your thyroid hormone levels are normal. If you have an underactive thyroid, medicine can help.

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.
• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
• Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.