Hashimoto’s Disease
Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disorder in which your immune system creates antibodies that attack your thyroid gland. Causing inflammation in the thyroid gland leading to hypothyroidism a condition in which the thyroid does not make enough hormones for the body's need. The most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States is Hashimoto’s.
Hashimoto's disease typically progresses slowly over years and you may have it for many years before you develop any symptoms. The first sign is usually an enlarged thyroid, called a goiter, this may cause the front of your neck to look swollen. Rarely does a goiter causes any pain but it may make your throat feel full or swallowing difficult.
Signs and symptoms of Hashimoto’s include:
• Fatigue and sluggishness
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Constipation
• Pale, dry skin
• A puffy face
• Hoarse voice
• Unexplained weight gain
• Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness, especially in your shoulders and hips
• Pain and stiffness in your joints and swelling in your knees or the small joints in your hands and feet
• Muscle weakness, especially in your lower extremities
• Depression
• hair loss or thinning, brittle hair
• slowed heart rate
• high cholesterol
• thyroid nodules …show more content…
There is no cure for Hashimoto's. Not all people with Hashimoto’s need treatment. If your thyroid is functioning normally will need to just be monitored for changes. But for those that aren’t making enough hormone a pill that you have to take the rest of your life can be given to regulate hormone levels and restore your normal metabolism. The pills come in different strengths and once you start treatment you will do lab test to monitor your thyroid to ensure you have the right dose. In a few months symptoms should go away and goiters should shrink but if large goiters don’t go away you may have to have surgery to remove the thyroid
Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disorder in which your immune system creates antibodies that attack your thyroid gland. Causing inflammation in the thyroid gland leading to hypothyroidism a condition in which the thyroid does not make enough hormones for the body's need. The most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States is Hashimoto’s.
Hashimoto's disease typically progresses slowly over years and you may have it for many years before you develop any symptoms. The first sign is usually an enlarged thyroid, called a goiter, this may cause the front of your neck to look swollen. Rarely does a goiter causes any pain but it may make your throat feel full or swallowing difficult.
Signs and symptoms of Hashimoto’s include:
• Fatigue and sluggishness
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Constipation
• Pale, dry skin
• A puffy face
• Hoarse voice
• Unexplained weight gain
• Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness, especially in your shoulders and hips
• Pain and stiffness in your joints and swelling in your knees or the small joints in your hands and feet
• Muscle weakness, especially in your lower extremities
• Depression
• hair loss or thinning, brittle hair
• slowed heart rate
• high cholesterol
• thyroid nodules …show more content…
There is no cure for Hashimoto's. Not all people with Hashimoto’s need treatment. If your thyroid is functioning normally will need to just be monitored for changes. But for those that aren’t making enough hormone a pill that you have to take the rest of your life can be given to regulate hormone levels and restore your normal metabolism. The pills come in different strengths and once you start treatment you will do lab test to monitor your thyroid to ensure you have the right dose. In a few months symptoms should go away and goiters should shrink but if large goiters don’t go away you may have to have surgery to remove the thyroid