Hashimoto’s Disease

A very small looking thyroid gland constitutes various glands & tissues and helps body maintain chemical balance and produces various hormones. These hormones and chemicals are integral part of various processes such as metabolism, reproduction, protein production, body temperature maintenance etc.

What is Hashimoto’s Disease?

Hashimoto’s disease is a medical condition that occurs due to the malfunctioning of human immune system that starts attacking the thyroid gland. The damaged thyroid gland slowly become less active and fails to produce necessary amount of hormones and chemicals causing chemical imbalance in the body. This condition leads to inflammation of the thyroid gland which is also known as Chronic Lymphocytic Thyroiditis.

The Hypothyroidism (also known as under active thyroid gland) is the very next step of Hashimoto’s disease. If the right treatment is not availed at right time, the problem may lead to swollen thyroid gland (a condition known as goiter) and can also induce memory related problems in the patient.

What are the Common Signs/Symptoms of Hashimoto’s Disease?

Hashimoto’s disease is a chronic disease and is characterized by symptoms which are recognizable once the condition leads to hypothyroidism. The damage to the thyroid gland is done over many years and it leads to decreased level of thyroid secreted hormones in the blood (hormones deficiency). Thus hypothyroidism symptoms only are the most trusted symptoms to confirm Hashimoto’s disease due to its chronic nature.

As the hormone deficiency in blood increases; symptoms of hypothyroidism also start surfacing. The hormone deficiency in blood causes various problems such as chemical imbalance, fatigue, depression etc.

Many people start complaining about problems related to muscles such as pain, sudden stiffness as well as tenderness in the muscles, weakness of the muscles in various organs of the body. People also experience joint pains and swelling in joints of hands and legs. Paler and dry skin, change in voice (croaky voice), swollen face, sudden rise in the cholesterol level in blood, complaints of constipation, weakened immune system against cold, problems with menstrual cycles in women such as excessive bleeding etc. are few more known symptoms experienced by people suffering from Hashimoto’s disease.

What are the Causes of Hashimoto’s Disease?

As already mentioned above, Hashimoto’s disease is a medical condition caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking the thyroid gland. The main reason as to why the immune system starts attacking thyroid gland is still unknown to doctors. Some attribute this unexplained behavior of the immune system to be a genetic flaw and some think that it may be a condition caused due to involvement of some bacterium or virus. Whereas, most of the doctors and scientists believe it to be a result of different factors and conditions altogether.

Diagnosis and Treatments Available

If you experience any of the mentioned symptoms of the Hashimoto’s disease (such as tiredness, hoarse voice, swollen-face, skin dryness and/or symptoms of hypothyroidism etc.); you should consult your physician. You can help yourself by regularly visiting your physician for routine check-ups.

Your doctor may suggest you get yourself checked for Hashimoto’s disease if you are experiencing any of the symptoms that indicate problem related to thyroid gland. Your doctor may also ask you to undergo blood test (hormone test and antibiotic test) to find out the hormone and antibiotic levels in the blood and as well as types of antibiotics present in the blood which is also known as TSH test.

The treatment of Hashimoto’s disease involves medications as well as hormone therapy. As the disorder forms over a long period of time, it is very hard to say if the hormone deficiency is directly related with the problems involved with thyroid gland. The hormone replacement therapy involves use of synthetic thyroid hormones. Along with the medicines, your doctor may also ask you to undergo various naturopathy treatments.

Complications Involved with Hashimoto’s Disease

If the Hashimoto’s disease is left untreated, it may cause various problems such as risks related to heart, the thyroid gland may get enlarged due to over-utilization leading to goiter, increased fatigue, babies born to women who have untreated Hashimoto’s disease may have many severe birth defects, increasing depression and mental disorders, unconsciousness (a part of condition called Myxedema) etc.