Will Hashimoto’s Disease Change Your Life?

Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease, also known as Chronic Lymphocytic Thyroiditis.  The thyroid is part of the endocrine system and it is below your adam’s apple in your neck. In this case, your thyroid is “attacked” by your immune system, which can cause hypothyroidism.  Hypothyroidism is the result of an underactive thyroid function, similar to Hashimoto’s where your thyroid “retires” and quits functioning.

Hashimoto’s can also be part of a condition called Type 1 polyglandular autoimmune syndrome, an inherited autoimmune disease affecting different organs in the body. Hashimoto’s is 7 times more likely to develop in women than in men. The most common symptoms are enlarged thyroid, fatigue, constipation, dry skin, muscle aches, extra sensitive to cold and depression. Women often have irregular menstrual cycles, which could potentially lead to infertility. Weight gain, pale or puffy face, decreased heart rate, reduced exercise tolerance and depression are less common, but can be more severe.

The most common diagnosis is for doctors to feel the patient’s neck to check if the thyroid is enlarged. An enlarged thyroid is called a goiter. Lab tests can be taken if the doctor suspects something is wrong. They can find hypothyroidism through taking blood tests. In the blood sample, doctors check to see if there is an elevated serum of TSH with a low thyroid hormone, also known as free thyroxine levels. There are antibodies that fight against TPO and they are often elevated. You may be tested if you have family history, even if you have no symptoms. A lifelong treatment that is the most common is a single daily tablet, Synthetic Levothyroxine, which is a man-made form of the thyroid hormone, T4 and is taken orally. If the pill is not at the right dose, you could potentially have mild symptoms that may have occurred before you had a treatment or similar to the symptoms of hypothyroidism. If dose is excessive, or too much, symptoms may be like hyperthyroidism.

Environment and genetic factors both affect the chance of having Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Disease. The possibility of getting this is increasing numerously every year. Every case is different, but they all can be treated using Levothyroxine. Large amounts of iodine should be avoided as much as possible to help maintain the best health. If Hashimoto’s is caught early and treated early, it is not a life threatening disease.

Questions

1. What will happen if Hashimoto’s disease is left untreated?

2. What is the likelihood of this disease being passed on to your children?

3. Is the pill the most effective way to treat Hashimoto’s?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *