Hashimoto’s disease, otherwise called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, is a common condition characterized by an irritated thyroid. It occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly sends antibodies to attack the thyroid, thereby causing it to underproduce the thyroid hormone. When the body does not produce enough thyroid hormone, a person has what is medically referred to as “hypothyroidism.” Hypothyroidism can drastically slow a person’s metabolism and serve as a catalyst for a myriad of other health problems. For this reason, any person who lives with Hashimoto’s disease must take medications to keep thyroid hormone levels within a normal range.
The symptoms of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis vary from person to person, and what symptoms a person develops depends on for how long the condition has been allowed to continue as well as how the thyroid responds to the antibody attack. That said, common symptoms of Hashimoto’s disease are as follows.
In the early stages of Hashimoto’s disease, the thyroid might initially respond to the attack by overproducing the thyroid hormone, thereby causing Hashitoxicosis. Hashitoxicosis is characterized by a few distinct symptoms, including but not limited to the following:
Though Hashitoxicosis is a real consequence of Hashimoto’s disease, not everyone who has the latter will develop the former.
An underactive thyroid is the most distinctive symptom of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. When the thyroid cannot make enough of its key hormone, the body’s metabolism slows way down, causing a myriad of symptoms:
These symptoms can trigger a range of other health problems, which is why it is important to seek a diagnosis from your healthcare provider as soon after developing symptoms as possible.
Goitre is characterized by the enlargement of the thyroid gland. Goitre is a visibly noticeable condition in that it causes a bulge in the neck, right around where the thyroid is located. Though not cancer, goitre can cause problems, such as pain or difficulty swallowing, speaking or breathing.
Hashimoto’s disease can cause uncomfortable to serious complications. For this reason, it is important that individuals understand the risk factors for the condition and take steps to mitigate their risk as much as possible. Below are the most common risk factors for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
If you have one or more of these risk factors, you have an increased risk of developing Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. However, even if you live with all four risk factors, you are not predetermined to develop it, either.
Hashimoto’s disease can cause symptoms that range from uncomfortable to debilitating. It is important that you familiarize yourself with the risk factors for developing the condition, as well as the symptoms of the disease, so that you can take steps to protect yourself sooner rather than later.