Hashimoto’s disease is a chronic autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland. The immune system attacks the thyroid resulting in hypothyroidism.
Anyone can develop Hashimoto’s disease, but it is most common in middle-aged women.
Hashimoto’s disease progresses slowly over the years and you may not notice any signs or symptoms. The decline in thyroid hormone production can result in the following symptoms:
- Fatigue and sluggishness
- Increased sensitivity to cold
- Increased sleepiness
- Dry skin
- Constipation
- Muscle weakness
- Muscle aches, tenderness, and stiffness
- Joint pain and stiffness
- Irregular or excessive menstrual bleeding
- Depression
- Problems with memory or concentration
- Swelling of the thyroid
- Puffy eyes and face
- Brittle nails
- Hair loss, dry, brittle hair, and slow hair growth
- Enlargement of the tongue
The causes of Hashimoto’s disease are unclear, but the onset of the disease may be related to:
- Genetic factors
- Environmental triggers, such as infection, stress, or radiation exposure
- Interactions between environmental and genetic factors
Many factors are associated with an increased risk of Hashimoto’s disease, including:
- Sex
- Age
- Other autoimmune diseases
- Genetics and family history
- Pregnancy
- Excessive iodine intake
Several conditions may lead to the signs and symptoms of Hashimoto’s disease. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, your healthcare provider will conduct a thorough physical exam, review your medical history, and ask questions about your symptoms. After this assessment, they will order blood tests to confirm the diagnosis, including:
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone test
- Free T4 test
- Anti-thyroid antibody test
In some cases, your healthcare provider may recommend a thyroid ultrasound to check the size of your thyroid and ensure no nodules are present.
Most people with Hashimoto’s disease take medication to treat hypothyroidism. If you have mild hypothyroidism, you may not receive treatment but will get regular TSH tests to monitor thyroid hormone levels.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of any thyroid disease, you can receive treatment from an endocrinologist at Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s Ambulatory Care Center. To schedule an appointment, please call (718) 670-5486.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.