Hashimoto's disease

Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid gland. It’s also called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, or autoimmune thyroiditis.

A butterfly-shaped gland called the thyroid can be found near the base of the neck, just below the Adam's apple. Numerous bodily processes are regulated by the hormones that the thyroid generates.

When the immune system attacks healthy tissues, it results in an autoimmune condition. Immune system cells cause the thyroid's hormone-producing cells to die in Hashimoto's illness. Typically, the condition causes a decrease in hormone production.

Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, which is how you turn food into energy. Your body cannot function normally when you are low on energy, and your body's processes start to slow down. Having hypothyroidism can have severe emotional and physical effects on individuals.

It's possible that early symptoms go unnoticed. The thyroid gland may expand over time and develop a painless goiter. Hypothyroidism can eventually develop in some persons, who may also experience weight gain, lethargy, constipation, depression, hair loss, and general aches and pains. The thyroid normally declines in size over time. Thyroid lymphoma is one example of a potential consequence.

Further issues can include, but are not limited to high cholesterol, heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, myxedema, and potential pregnancy issues because untreated Hashimoto's patients frequently develop hypothyroidism.

It is believed that a mix of genetic and environmental factors contribute to Hashimoto's thyroiditis. A family history of the disorder and having another autoimmune disease are additional risk factors. Blood testing for TSH, T4, and antithyroid antibodies are used to confirm the diagnosis.

Unfortunately, there is no known mechanism to stop the inflammation of the thyroid gland known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The good news is that this illness is remarkably curable. The sooner one receives a diagnosis, the sooner they can begin treatment.