OverviewHashimoto'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. Show An autoimmune disorder is an illness caused by the immune system attacking healthy tissues. In Hashimoto's disease, immune-system cells lead to the death of the thyroid's hormone-producing cells. The disease usually results in a decline in hormone production (hypothyroidism). Although anyone can develop Hashimoto's disease, it's most common among middle-aged women. The primary treatment is thyroid hormone replacement. Hashimoto's disease is also known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis and chronic autoimmune thyroiditis. SymptomsHashimoto's disease progresses slowly over the years. You may not notice signs or symptoms of the disease. Eventually, the decline in thyroid hormone production can result in any of the following:
When to see a doctorSigns and symptoms of Hashimoto's disease vary widely and are not specific to the disorder. Because these symptoms could result from any number of disorders, it's important to see your health care provider as soon as possible for a timely and accurate diagnosis. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have
about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. CausesHashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disorder. The immune system creates antibodies that attack thyroid cells as if they were bacteria, viruses or some other foreign body. The immune system wrongly enlists disease-fighting agents that damage cells and lead to cell death. What causes the immune system to attack thyroid cells is not clear. The onset of disease may be related to:
Risk factorsThe following factors are associated with an increased risk of Hashimoto's disease:
ComplicationsThyroid hormones are essential for the healthy function of many body systems. Therefore, when Hashimoto's disease and hypothyroidism are left untreated, many complications can occur. These include:
Jan. 15, 2022
RelatedProducts & ServicesCan you have Graves disease and Hashimoto's?Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis can coexist in the same individual, reflecting their common autoimmune origin. Simultaneous occurrence of Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis can result in clinical masking of one disorder by the other.
How do you diagnose Hashimoto's or Graves disease?Laboratory Testing
Hashimoto thyroiditis is the most likely form of autoimmune thyroiditis if the patient has hypothyroidism (elevated TSH and low free T4 concentrations), whereas Graves disease is most likely if the patient has hyperthyroidism (low TSH and elevated free T4 concentrations).
Is hypothyroidism the same as Graves disease?When the body makes too much thyroid hormone, the condition is called hyperthyroidism. (An underactive thyroid leads to hypothyroidism.) Graves disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. It is due to an abnormal immune system response that causes the thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormone.
What are 3 symptoms of Graves disease?Common signs and symptoms of Graves' disease include:. Anxiety and irritability.. A fine tremor of the hands or fingers.. Heat sensitivity and an increase in perspiration or warm, moist skin.. Weight loss, despite normal eating habits.. Enlargement of the thyroid gland (goiter). Change in menstrual cycles.. |