Jessica Niziolek,
Founder Of The Abler Blog, and online community.
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| Graphic Made With Canva.com. Image within graphic found on Google.com |
Resources: for research purposes only: mayoclinic.org
Where is the thyroid located?
Answer the thyroid is located at the base of your neck, just below your Adam’s apple.
What is Hashimoto’s Disease?
Answer: it is a condition where your immune system attacks your thyroid. The thyroid gland is part of your endocrine system, which produces hormones that coordinate many of your body's functions.
Inflammation from this disease which is also called, chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, often leads to an under-active thyroid gland (hypothyroidism).
Is this condition common?
Answer: Yes. Hashimoto's disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. It primarily affects middle-aged women but can also occur in men and women of any age and in children.
How do you find out if you have this condition?
Answer: Doctors test your thyroid’s function.
How is this condition typically treated?
Answer: Hormone replacement
Signs of the condition: Typically you may not notice any at first. It progresses slowly over the years. If you do notice signs or symptoms, you could experience the following:
- Fatigue and sluggishness
- Increased sensitivity to cold
- Constipation
- Pale, dry skin
- A puffy face
- Brittle nails
- Hair loss
- Enlargement of the tongue
- Unexplained weight gain
- Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness
- Joint pain and stiffness
- Muscle weakness
- Excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding
- Depression
- Memory lapses
You may also notice swelling at the front of your throat ( your goiter). Your thyroid could possibly experience damage because of the slow progression of the disease. This could also lead to a drop in your thyroids’ hormone levels that show up in your blood.
When do I need to see a doctor?
Answer: see your doctor when you notice the following:
- Tiredness for no apparent reason
- Dry skin
- Pale, puffy face
- Constipation
You'll also need to see your doctor for periodic testing of your thyroid function if:
- You've had thyroid surgery
- You've had treatment with radioactive iodine or anti-thyroid medications
- You've had radiation therapy to your head, neck or upper chest
Please also remember:
If you have high blood cholesterol, talk to your doctor about whether hypothyroidism may be a cause.
And if you're receiving hormone therapy for hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto's disease, schedule follow-up visits as often as your doctor recommends. It's important to make sure you're receiving the correct dose of medicine. Over time, the dose you need to adequately replace your thyroid function may change.
What causes this condition?
Answer: Your immune system creates antibodies that damages your thyroid gland.
Doctors don’t know why this happens. Scientists believe sit could be one of two possibilities: A bacterial or a virus. Or it be a possible genetic flaw.
What are some of the risk factors that may cause someone to be diagnosed with this condition?
Answer: Some risk-factors could include the following:
- Sex. Women are much more likely to get Hashimoto's disease.
- Age. Hashimoto's disease can occur at any age but more commonly occurs during middle age.
- Heredity. You're at higher risk for Hashimoto's disease if others in your family have thyroid or other autoimmune diseases.
- Other autoimmune disease. Having another autoimmune disease — such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes or lupus — increases your risk of developing Hashimoto's disease.
- Radiation exposure. People exposed to excessive levels of environmental radiation are more prone to Hashimoto's disease.
If left untreated this could lead to other health issues which could possibly include the following:
- Goiter. Constant stimulation of your thyroid to release more hormones may cause the gland to become enlarged, a condition known as a goiter. Hypothyroidism is one of the most common causes of goiters. It's generally not uncomfortable, but a large goiter can affect your appearance and may interfere with swallowing or breathing.
- Heartproblems. Hashimoto's disease may also be associated with an increased risk of heart disease, primarily because high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol — the "bad" cholesterol — can occur in people with an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism). If left untreated, hypothyroidism can lead to an enlarged heart and, possibly, heart failure.
- Mental health issues. Depression may occur early in Hashimoto's disease and may become more severe over time. Hashimoto's disease can also cause sexual desire (libido) to decrease in both men and women and can lead to slowed mental functioning.
- Myxedema (miks-uh-DEE-muh). This rare, life-threatening condition can develop due to long-term severe hypothyroidism as a result of untreated Hashimoto's disease. Its signs and symptoms include drowsiness followed by profound lethargy and unconsciousness.
A myxedema coma may be triggered by exposure to cold, sedatives, infection or other stress on your body. Myxedema requires immediate emergency medical treatment. - Birth defects. Babies born to women with untreated hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto's disease may have a higher risk of birth defects than do babies born to healthy mothers. Doctors have long known that these children are more prone to intellectual and developmental problems. There may be a link between hypothyroid pregnancies and birth defects, such as a cleft palate.
A connection also exists between hypothyroid pregnancies and heart, brain and kidney problems in infants. If you're planning to get pregnant or if you're in early pregnancy, be sure to have your thyroid level checked.
For further information on this condition, as always I encourage my readers to consult with their trusted physician. The information on this condition can be found by visiting the following:
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