Hashimoto's disease is a condition in which your immune system attacks your thyroid gland, leading to problems with how your body regulates energy, resulting in fatigue and weight gain. Hashimoto's disease is the most common form of autoimmune thyroiditis and the leading cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. It typically affects women over 30 but can occur at any age.
Hashimoto's disease can be challenging to diagnose because Hashimoto's disease symptoms are similar to those of other conditions, such as stress or menopause. Treatment for Hashimoto's disease usually involves taking thyroid hormone replacement medication. Surgery may sometimes be necessary to remove part or all of the thyroid gland.
Hashimoto's disease causes include a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
- Family history. Hashimoto's disease seems to run in families. If you have a close relative with the condition, you're more likely to develop it yourself.
- Certain viral infections are linked to Hashimoto's disease. For example, some studies have found a connection between the Epstein-Barr virus (the virus that causes mononucleosis) and Hashimoto's disease.
- Environmental factors. There's some evidence that Hashimoto's disease may become triggered by exposure to certain chemicals, such as perchlorate (a component of rocket fuel) and brominated flame retardants.
- Autoimmune diseases. Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disorder. Autoimmune disorders occur when your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. Hashimoto's disease is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors that trigger the immune system to attack the thyroid gland.
You must see your doctor regularly for monitoring and treatment if you have Hashimoto's disease. Hashimoto's disease can be challenging to diagnose, so it's essential to see a doctor who is familiar with the condition.
One of the most common Hashimoto's disease symptoms is an enlargement of the thyroid gland, called goiter. Other symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Depression
- Muscle weakness
- Joint pain
- Dry skin
- Thinning hair
- Brittle nails
- Constipation
- Menstrual irregularities
Hashimoto's disease can also cause problems with your menstrual cycle, such as heavy bleeding or periods that are irregular or absent altogether (amenorrhea). In some cases, Hashimoto's disease can lead to infertility. If you're planning on getting pregnant, you must talk to your doctor about your risks.
No one test can diagnose Hashimoto's disease. Instead, diagnosis gets based on a combination of symptoms, medical history, and lab tests.
- Symptoms. Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and whether you have any family members with thyroid problems or autoimmune disorders.
- Medical history. Your doctor will ask about your medical history.
- Lab tests. To confirm a diagnosis of Hashimoto's disease, your doctor will order one or more of the following blood tests:
There is no cure, but Hashimoto's disease treatment can help manage the symptoms.
- Thyroid hormone replacement therapy. The most common treatment for Hashimoto's disease is thyroid hormone replacement therapy, which involves taking synthetic thyroxine (T4) to replace the T4 that your thyroid gland isn't producing.
- Radioactive iodine therapy. In some cases, your doctor may recommend radioactive iodine therapy to destroy part of your thyroid gland.
- Surgery. In rare cases, surgery may be necessary to remove all or part of your thyroid gland.
You must see your doctor regularly for monitoring and treatment if you have Hashimoto's disease. Hashimoto's disease can be challenging to diagnose, so it's essential to see a doctor who is familiar with the condition.