What is Hashimoto’s Disease?

Chronic thyroiditis or Hashimoto’s disease is a common thyroid gland disorder that can occur at any age, but it is most often seen in middle aged women.

It is an autoimmune disorder, characterized by the production of antibodies (IgG, IgM type) in response to thyroid antigens (antibody producing) and the replacement of normal thyroid structures with lymphocytes and lymphoid germinal centres.

The thyroid, typically enlarged, pale yellow, and lumpy on the surface shows dense lymphocyte infiltration, and the remaining thyroid tissue frequently contains small empty follicles.

Hashimoto’s disease is also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis.lt is a T cell associated autoimmune disease. The disease leads to an under activity of thyroid gland (hypothyroidism).

Hashimoto’s disease does not have unique signs and symptoms. The first indication of this problem may be a goiter (a gradual painless enlargement of the thyroid gland).

The disease typically progresses slowly over a number of years and causes chronic thyroid damage, leading to a drop in thyroid hormone levels. The signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism vary widely depending on the severity of hormone deficiency.

Fatigue and sluggishness, increased sensitivity to cold, constipation, pale dry skin, puffy face, hoarse voice, elevated blood cholesterol level, unexplained weight gain, muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness, etc. are some of the symptoms to indicate the problem.

Essentially, the diagnosis of Hashimoto’s disease is based on presence of thyroid antibodies in the blood. The level of these antibodies often increases as the disease progresses.

In the late stages when the whole of the thyroid gland has been destroyed, the level of the auto-antibodies may fall to low or undetectable levels

Since the problem is associated with auto immune reactions the basic cause of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis cannot be not treated.

In general, the treatment is the management of the consequences of thyroid failure, although a goiter is sometimes prevented from becoming larger or is reduced in size by giving thyroxine.