Key facts
- Other names
- Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, autoimmune thyroiditis, struma lymphomatosa, Hashimoto's disease
- Specialty
- Endocrinology
- Symptoms
- Weight gain , feeling tired , constipation , joint and muscle pain, cold intolerance, dry skin , hair loss , slowed heart rate
- Complications
- Thyroid lymphoma .
- Usual onset
- 30–50 years old
- Causes
- Genetic and environmental factors .
- Risk factors
- Family history, another autoimmune disease
- Diagnostic method
- TSH , T4, anti-thyroid autoantibodies , ultrasound
- Differential diagnosis
- Graves' disease , nontoxic nodular goiter
- Treatment
- Levothyroxine , surgery
- Frequency
- 2% at some point
via Wikipedia infobox
Article
Hashimoto's thyroiditis, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, Hashimoto's disease and autoimmune thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disease in which the thyroid gland is gradually destroyed.
Early on, symptoms may not be noticed. Over time, the thyroid may enlarge, forming a painless goiter. Most people eventually develop hypothyroidism with accompanying weight gain, fatigue, constipation, hair loss, and general pain. After many years, the thyroid typically shrinks in size. Potential complications include thyroid lymphoma. Further complications of hypothyroidism can include high cholesterol, heart disease, heart failure, high blood pressure, myxedema, and potential problems in pregnancy.