Hashimoto's Disease: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Hashimoto's Disease, also known as Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, Autoimmune Hypothyroiditis, and Chronic Lymphocytic Thyroiditis, is a chronic autoimmune illness wherein the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. This attack upon the thyroid gland causes the body to be deficient in thyroid hormones, a condition called "hypothyroidism." Hypothyroidism causes a variety of troubling symptoms, and if left untreated can damage the body. Hashimoto's Disease is the leading cause of hypothyroidism in North America today.

The thyroid gland is a part of the endocrine system. It produces two important hormones, thyroxine (called T-4) and triiodothyronine (called T-3). T-4 and T-3 together regulate many of the body's functions, including temperature and metabolism. When the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, it cannot produce enough of these important hormones, leading to hypothyroidism. Doctors don't know for sure what causes the immune system to attack the thyroid gland. Some think that the immune system reacts incorrectly to a bacterial or viral infection; some think that Hashimoto's Disease is genetic. Most agree that it is caused by a combination of factors.

Hashimoto's Disease is a progressive illness. In the first years of the disease, sufferers may not notice many symptoms. They may feel more tired than usual, feel strange pains, or gain a little bit of weight. Often people dismiss these initial symptoms as products of aging or stress. As Hashimoto's Disease progresses, however, symptoms can become more numerous and severe. The symptoms of Hashimoto's Disease include fatigue, muscle and joint pain, weight gain, sensitivity to cold, dry skin and hair, low body temperature, constipation, a puffy face, muscle weakness, excessive or prolonged menstrual periods, and depression. Sufferers may experience "brain fog" and forgetfulness. Without treatment, symptoms will become more severe and the thyroid gland may even become visibly enlarged, causing a swelling in the throat, called "goiter." If you have several of these symptoms, you may have Hashimoto's Disease.