Hashimoto's disease, also known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. This leads to inflammation and gradual destruction of the thyroid cells, impairing the gland's ability to produce thyroid hormones
. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck, responsible for producing hormones that regulate metabolism, energy use, heart rate, and many other bodily functions
. In Hashimoto's disease, the immune system produces antibodies (such as thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and thyroglobulin antibodies) that damage the thyroid, causing it to become inflamed and sometimes enlarged (forming a goiter)
. Over time, this damage usually results in hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid does not produce enough hormones. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, dry skin, hair loss, slowed heart rate, and muscle or joint pain
. Some people may initially have no symptoms or only an enlarged thyroid without hormone deficiency
. Hashimoto's disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in areas with adequate iodine intake. It most commonly affects middle-aged women but can occur at any age and in men as well. The disease tends to progress slowly and may require lifelong thyroid hormone replacement therapy to manage hormone levels
. In summary, Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune condition that causes chronic inflammation and damage to the thyroid gland, leading primarily to hypothyroidism and its associated symptoms
. Treatment typically involves thyroid hormone replacement to normalize hormone levels and manage symptoms
Key points:
- Autoimmune attack on thyroid gland cells
- Causes inflammation and gradual thyroid damage
- Leads to hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone)
- Symptoms: fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, etc.
- Most common in middle-aged women
- Treated with thyroid hormone replacement therapy
This explanation is based on multiple authoritative sources including Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, NIDDK, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and others
