Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck just below the Adam's apple. The thyroid produces hormones that help regulate many functions in the body.
Thyroiditis is when your thyroid gland becomes irritated. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common type of this health problem. It is an autoimmune disease. It occurs when your body makes antibodies that attack the cells in your thyroid.
The most common forms of autoimmune thyroid disorders are chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, or Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, which presents with symptoms of an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) and Graves' disease, which presents with symptoms of an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
In Hashimoto's disease, the immune system makes antibodies that attack and damage the thyroid tissue. As a result, the thyroid gland becomes inflamed and the ability to make thyroid hormone becomes damaged, eventually leading to hypothyroidism.
Symptoms of a Hashimoto's Flare-Up
Constipation. Dry skin. Puffy face. Muscle aches.
The lowdown
Both lupus and Hashimoto's disease are immune system disorders, and people with lupus commonly have thyroid issues. Hashimoto's disease directly affects your thyroid gland, resulting in hypothyroidism, while lupus impacts multiple organ systems in your body.
What causes the immune system to attack thyroid cells is not clear. The onset of disease may be related to: Genetic factors. Environmental triggers, such as infection, stress or radiation exposure.
Thyroid problems are common in people with lupus. According to statistics from the Johns Hopkins Lupus Center, about 6 percent of people with lupus have underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, and 2 percent have overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism.
Anti-thyroid antibodies (ATA) tests, such as the microsomal antibody test (also known as thyroid peroxidase antibody test) and the anti-thyroglobulin antibody test, are commonly used to detect the presence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Your doctor will order blood tests to check your thyroid hormone levels. The tests also look for something called thyroperoxidase antibodies. You also might have an ultrasound so your doctor can look at your thyroid, especially if your blood test results aren't clear.
With thyroid fatigue, you may feel like you can't get through a day without a nap. You may sleep more than usual but still feel completely exhausted. You may not even have the energy to exercise. At times, you may fall asleep during the day or very quickly at night.
The two major causes of thyroid disorders are nutrient deficiency and autoimmune disease. Iodine is a crucial nutrient for thyroid function. Thyroid hormone is rich in iodine, and deficiency of iodine can cause both hypothyroidism and goiter (a swelling of the thyroid gland) (5).
Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder that can cause hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck. Thyroid hormones control the way your body uses energy, so they affect nearly every organ in your body, even the way your heart beats.
Why is Hashimoto's disease sometimes misdiagnosed? The disease is commonly misdiagnosed because the signs and symptoms are non-specific and can be easily mistaken for other health issues like hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.
The main complication associated with Hashimoto's is that it greatly increases your risk of developing another autoimmune disorder, such as Addison's disease, Graves' disease, type 1 diabetes, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis.
Hashimoto's symptoms may be mild at first or take years to develop. The first sign of the disease is often an enlarged thyroid, called a goiter. The goiter may cause the front of your neck to look swollen. A large goiter may make swallowing difficult.
Goiter (enlargement of your thyroid) is one of the first signs of Hashimoto's disease that will show on your face. Depending on how big it is, the enlarged thyroid can make your neck look swollen and interfere with your swallowing and breathing.
If you have Hashimoto's disease, you will most likely experience fatigue. Fatigue can get in the way of your productivity by reducing your attention span, reducing your memory, and impairing your judgment. If your fatigue does not go away after two weeks, you should see your doctor.