Hashimoto disease

Hashimoto's Disease

Hashimoto's Disease (pronunciation: hah-shee-MOH-tohz dih-ZEEZ), also known as Chronic Lymphocytic Thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disorder that can cause hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones.

Etymology

The disease is named after the Japanese physician Hakaru Hashimoto, who first described it in 1912. The term "thyroiditis" is derived from the Greek words "thyreos" (shield) and "-itis" (inflammation).

Symptoms

Symptoms of Hashimoto's disease may include fatigue, weight gain, sensitivity to cold, joint and muscle pain, constipation, dry skin, depression, and prolonged or excessive menstrual bleeding in women.

Causes

Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disorder, which means the immune system creates antibodies that attack the body's own tissues. In the case of Hashimoto's disease, the immune system attacks the thyroid, causing inflammation and reducing its ability to produce thyroid hormones.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Hashimoto's disease is typically based on symptoms, physical examination, and blood tests to measure levels of thyroid hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). An antibody test can also confirm the presence of antibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPO), an enzyme in the thyroid gland that plays an important role in the production of thyroid hormones.

Treatment

Treatment for Hashimoto's disease usually involves taking synthetic thyroid hormone medication to replace the hormones that the thyroid gland is not producing in sufficient amounts.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Hashimoto disease
Wikipedia's article - Hashimoto disease

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