HASHIMOTO’S THYROIDITIS

Hashimoto’s specific trigger is not identified, although it is known that various factors play a part such as: 

Genes – Relatives who have a thyroid disorder or other autoimmune disorders might have members who have Hashimoto’s. It indicates a hereditary aspect of the illness.

Hormones – Hashimoto’s affects approximately seven times as many women as men, meaning that there may be a role for sex hormones. Besides, for the first year after delivering a pregnancy, some women have thyroid issues. However, years later, the case goes typically away as many as 20 percent of these women develop Hashimoto’s.

Excessive iodine – Research indicates that some medications and too much iodine can cause thyroid disease in susceptible individuals.

Exposure to Radiation – Increased thyroid disease reports, including atomic bombs in Japan, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, and radiation therapy for a type of blood cancer called Hodgkin’s disease, have been documented in people exposed to radiation.

SYMPTOMS

At first, Hashimoto’s symptoms can be mild or may take years to develop. A swollen thyroid, called goiter, is also the first symptom of the condition.

Some underactive thyroid signs related to Hashimoto’s can include: 

• Tiredness or fatigue
• Weight gain
• Paleness or facial puffiness 
• Pressure in the joints and muscle pain
• Inability to get warm
• Constipation
• Difficulty being pregnant 
• Hair loss, thinning or brittle hair
• Irregular menstrual cycles or heavy periods 
• Slowed heart rate
• Depression 

DIAGNOSIS

In general, if you feel incredibly sleepy or slow, have dry skin, constipation, and a hoarse voice, or have had previous thyroid or goiter issues, your doctor may test for Hashimoto’s disease. 

Hashimoto’s disease diagnosis is based on the signs and symptoms and blood tests’ findings that measure levels of the pituitary gland provided by thyroid hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) which may include:

• Hormone test – Blood tests can measure the number of hormones released by the thyroid and pituitary glands. If the thyroid is underactive, the hormone concentration is low. Around the same time, when the pituitary gland attempts to activate the thyroid gland to produce more thyroid hormone, the TSH level is elevated.
• Antibody test – Because Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune condition, generating irregular antibodies is the trigger. The existence of antibodies to thyroid peroxidase (TPO antibodies), an enzyme usually located in the thyroid gland that plays a significant role in developing thyroid hormones, can be verified by a blood examination. But in any person with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the TPO antibody test is not favorable. Many persons have TPO antibodies, but no goiter, hypothyroidism, or other disorders are present.

TREATMENT

There is no treatment for Hashimoto’s, but hormone levels and natural metabolism can be regained by switching hormones with medications. 

The pills have several different strengths available. A range of factors such as weight, age, the severity of hypothyroidism, other health problems, and other medicines that may interact with synthetic thyroid hormones will depend on the precise dosage the doctor will prescribe.