The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland found in the neck. It produces hormones that are released into the bloodstream to control the body's growth and metabolism. They affect processes such as heart rate and body temperature, and help convert food into energy to keep the body going.
Symptoms vary depending on the type of thyroiditis.
Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT), is an autoimmune disease related to and mediated by anti-thyroid autoantibodies.
It is a common disease that may affect up to 2% of all women in the population that commonly occurs between the ages of 30 and 50 years.
Its prevalence is influenced by ethnicity, environmental factors, such as iodine and selenium status, age and gender
Treatment with interferon α frequently results in Hashimoto's thyroiditis
The diagnosis of HT is based on symptoms and the results of biochemical and serological tests. Serological markers (blood samples) are necessary for the diagnosis of HT and for the differential diagnosis of other autoimmune conditions.
In addition to the clinical and laboratory findings, ultrasound (US) is a commonly used method for the diagnosis of HT.
HT is one of the most common causes of hypothyroidism (low levels of thyroid hormone in the blood), which may be subclinical in up to 90% of patients.
In Hashimoto's thyroiditis, your immune system mistakenly attacks your thyroid gland, causing it to gradually swell and become damaged.
The swollen thyroid gland may eventually cause a lump to form in your throat, known as a goitre.
As the thyroid gland is slowly destroyed over time, it is unable to produce sufficient amounts of thyroid hormone.
This leads to symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland, which are very general and include:
- fatigue
- weight gain
- constipation
- dry skin
- depression
The cause of Hashimoto's thyroiditis is not understood, but in susceptible people it is thought to be triggered by smoking, infection, certain medications or possibly stress.
It may be associated with other conditions such as Addison's disease, diabetes or hypoparathyroidism, runs in families, and is usually seen in females aged 30 to 50.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis cannot be cured as the low levels of thyroid hormone are usually permanent. However, symptoms are easily treated with thyroid hormone replacement, which is usually taken for life.
You may need surgery if your goitre is particularly large or there are suspicions of cancer.
Sources : Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery / NHS Choices / European Journal of Endocrinology