Hashimoto's Disease: Causes and Treatment

Overview

Hashimoto's disease is a condition in which your immune system attacks your thyroid (autoimmunity). In Hashimoto's disease, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, thyroid hormone production in the thyroid gland decreases over time and hypothyroidism develops. It is the most common cause of hypothyroidism and usually affects middle-aged women, but it can occur at any age and in either sex.

Signs and Symptoms of Hashimoto's Disease

• Goiter,
• Tiredness and fatigue,
• Increased sensitivity to cold,
• Constipation,
• Pale, dry skin,
• A puffy face and wrinkled skin,
• Brittle nails,
• Enlarged tongue,
• Hair thinning and hair loss,
• Weight gain,
• Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness,
• Muscle weakness,
• Joint pain and stiffness,
• Excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding,
• Absence of menstrual periods,
• Milky discharge from the breasts,
• Depression,
• Memory loss,
• High cholesterol levels.

Risk Factors for Hashimoto's Disease

• Being female,
• Being between 20 and 40 years of age,
• A family history of the disease,
• A history of other autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, celiac disease or Addison's disease,
• Radiation exposure.

Complications of Hashimoto's Disease

• Goiter,
• High cholesterol levels,
• Hardening and blockage of the heart's arteries,
• Heart failure,
• Depression,
• Memory loss,
• Reduced sex drive.

Myxedema coma is a life-threatening condition; it can occur in untreated Hashimoto's disease in the presence of stress such as an infection. It requires emergency treatment.

It has long been known that babies born to women with untreated Hashimoto's disease who become pregnant while hypothyroid may have intellectual disability. These babies may also have mild birth defects such as cleft lip, as well as defects of the kidneys, brain or heart. If you are planning a pregnancy or are in early pregnancy, make sure to have your thyroid hormone levels checked.

Diagnosis of Hashimoto's Disease

The diagnosis can easily be made by measuring hormone levels in the blood and with a thyroid ultrasound.

Treatment of Hashimoto's Disease

As replacement therapy, synthetic thyroid hormone is given by mouth. The starting dose is determined according to the patient's age and any other existing conditions. These medications work better when taken on an empty stomach, and they should not be taken together with iron supplements, stomach-protecting medications or calcium supplements.

The right dose of the medication for you is determined through check-ups every 6 to 8 weeks. Please remember to come to our hospital for your check-ups on an empty stomach and before taking that day's dose of your medication.