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Does Hashimoto's disease treat hypothyroidism?
What is Hashimoto's disease & how is it treated?
How does Hashimoto's disease affect the thyroid?
Can Hashimoto's disease cause overt or subclinical hypothyroidism?
What is the difference between Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism?
Do I need a thyroid test if I have Hashimoto's disease?
Apr 22, 2021 · While Hashimoto’s disease is simply a common cause of hypothyroidism, the term should not be used for hypothyroid conditions unless antibodies are present although the treatment remains the same as for any hypothyroid state.
- Overview
- What is hypothyroidism?
- What is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?
- How are hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis connected?
- Is Hashimoto’s commonly misdiagnosed?
- Treatment for hypothyroidism vs. Hashimoto’s
- Takeaway
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder, is a common cause of hypothyroidism.
If you’re experiencing unexplained weight gain, hair loss, and fatigue, it could be due to hypothyroidism, a condition where your body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones. This causes a slowdown in metabolism.
One of the leading causes of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder. But how do you know if your hypothyroid symptoms are being caused by Hashimoto’s or another factor, such as low iodine or certain medications?
Here are some signs and symptoms to watch out for in each case.
Hypothyroidism is a medical condition characterized by an underactive thyroid gland. The thyroid gland, located in the front of the neck, is responsible for producing two essential hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
These hormones play an important role in regulating your body’s metabolism, energy production, and the functioning of organs and tissues.
In hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland fails to produce sufficient T4 and T3 hormones, resulting in a slowdown of your metabolism. This can lead to imbalances in the body’s functions, affecting your overall health and well-being.
Hypothyroidism is fairly common, affecting about 1 in 20 Americans.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland. It’s the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States and other developed countries with sufficient iodine intake.
In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, leading to inflammation and gradual destruction of thyroid tissue. As a result, the thyroid gland may become enlarged (known as a goiter) and loses its ability to produce sufficient thyroid hormones, including T4 and T3.
What are the main differences between hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s
Hypothyroidism is a broad medical condition that refers to an underactive thyroid gland, resulting in insufficient production of thyroid hormones. It can have various causes, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, certain medications, radiation therapy, thyroid gland removal, or an iodine deficiency (globally). Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, on the other hand, is a specific cause of hypothyroidism and is characterized by an autoimmune attack on the thyroid gland. Importantly, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is distinguished by the presence of specific antibodies in the blood, such as anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-Tg) antibodies. These antibodies don’t occur in non-autoimmune hypothyroidism. However, a small proportion (10%–15%) of individuals with Hashimoto’s may not show these specific antibodies.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can be misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed in some cases.
There are several reasons for this:
•Gradual onset: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can have a gradual onset, and its early stages may not show obvious symptoms, leading to delayed recognition or misdiagnosis.
•Fluctuating thyroid hormones: Some individuals with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may experience fluctuating thyroid hormone levels, leading to periods of hyperthyroidism before eventually progressing to hypothyroidism.
•Non-specific symptoms: Symptoms of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, like fatigue, weight gain, and hair loss, can be vague and similar to other health issues, leading to misdiagnosis or delayed identification of the underlying cause.
•Symptom overlap: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can share symptoms with other thyroid disorders or autoimmune diseases, making it challenging to differentiate without proper testing.
The treatments for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and hypothyroidism are similar in that both conditions involve low thyroid hormone levels, but there are some differences:
•Hypothyroidism treatment: Hypothyroidism, regardless of its cause, is primarily treated with hormone replacement therapy using synthetic thyroid hormones, usually levothyroxine. The goal is to restore standard thyroid hormone levels in the body.
Hypothyroidism is a common condition with symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and dry skin, caused by insufficient thyroid hormone production. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder, is a common cause, but low iodine intake or certain medications can also lead to hypothyroidism.
If you think you may have hypothyroidism, consider reaching out to a healthcare professional to get a proper diagnosis. They can perform tests, identify the cause, and develop a personalized management plan to improve your quality of life.
- Traci Pedersen
Jan 15, 2022 · Most people with Hashimoto's disease take medication to treat hypothyroidism. If you have mild hypothyroidism, you may have no treatment but get regular TSH tests to monitor thyroid hormone levels.
Oct 23, 2022 · Hashimoto's disease, also known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, is an autoimmune condition that attacks the thyroid gland, often resulting in an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). Treatment for this condition depends on whether it is causing subclinical (without symptoms) or overt (causing symptoms) hypothyroidism.
- 2 min
An underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) is where your thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. Common signs of an underactive thyroid are tiredness, weight gain and feeling depressed. An underactive thyroid can often be successfully treated by taking daily hormone tablets to replace the hormones your thyroid is not making.
Jan 15, 2022 · The disease usually results in a decline in hormone production (hypothyroidism). Although anyone can develop Hashimoto's disease, it's most common among middle-aged women. The primary treatment is thyroid hormone replacement.
Hashimoto’s disease causes your thyroid to become damaged. Most people with Hashimoto’s disease develop hypothyroidism. Rarely, early in the course of the disease, thyroid damage may lead to the release of too much thyroid hormone into your blood, causing symptoms of hyperthyroidism. 3
