What is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?
When it comes to chronic diseases, people often think of the World Health Organization’s definition of the major types, which includes various types of cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions.
However, there are many lesser known chronic diseases that hold just as much of an impact, including autoimmune diseases and pain syndromes. One such autoimmune disease is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
What is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is a chronic inflammation of the thyroid, with the thyroid being a gland in the neck responsible for making hormones. Individuals afflicted with this condition have their thyroid gland gradually destroyed. Onset of this disease and its severity is related to genetic factors as well as environmental triggers like radiation exposure or stress. In the United States alone, this disorder affects 14 million people.
In Hashimoto’s disease, immune-system cells adversely affect the cells that produce thyroid hormones, killing them. As a result there is a decline in hormone production, which leads to other repercussions including: muscle weakness, joint pain and stiffness, irregular/excessive menstrual bleeding, depression, and swelling.
What are the risk factors for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?
- Women and middle aged individuals are more likely to get this disease.
- Having an autoimmune disease (like diabetes or lupus) increases the risk of development of this disease
- Changes in immune function during pregnancy may affect development of the disease after pregnancy
- Exposure to excessive amounts of radiation may increase an individual’s susceptibility to Hashimoto’s
What are the long term effects of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?
When left untreated, Hashimoto’s can lead to more severe complications. This includes:
- Heart problems: poor heart operation, an enlarged heart, or irregular heartbeats
- High levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol
- Sexual & reproductive dysfunction
- Pregnancy complications: miscarriages, preterm birth, and babies born with developmental disorders
Treatment
Currently there is no direct form of treatment for this condition, which can be attributed to the ambiguity of what contributes to its development. However, there are medications that can help offset the negative effects of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, such as hormone-balancing medications that can stimulate the thyroid via a different mechanism, and restore the body’s natural metabolism.
Sources:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hashimotos-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20351855
https://www.webmd.com/women/hashimotos-thyroiditis-symptoms-causes-treatments