Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis? PrismRA may help find the right treatment sooner. PrismRA helps doctors find the right medication for rheumatoid arthritis patients sooner.
Our 2 percent solution is perfect to help monitor healthy hormone levels. Clean Nutrition. Organic Ingredients. Vegetarian Friendly. Pure & Clean Formulas
Search results
People also ask
Is hypothyroidism autoimmune?
What does hypothyroidism mean?
What is autoimmune thyroiditis?
What causes hypothyroidism?
Apr 22, 2021 · The thing to understand about Hashimoto’s disease is that it is basically a variant of hypothyroidism, caused specifically by autoimmunity; the thyroid gets infiltrated by white cells and slowly loses its function; it usually enlarges but may not, and may start with an over-active phase before becoming under-active.
A condition called Hashimoto's disease is the most common type of autoimmune reaction that causes an underactive thyroid. It's not clear what causes Hashimoto's disease, but it runs in families. It's also common in people with another immune system disorder, such as type 1 diabetes and vitiligo.
- On this page
- Symptoms
- When to see a doctor
- From Mayo Clinic to your inbox
- Causes
- Risk factors
- Complications
- Products & Services
- Advertisement
•Overview
•Symptoms
•When to see a doctor
•Causes
•Risk factors
•Complications
Hashimoto's disease progresses slowly over the years. You may not notice signs or symptoms of the disease. Eventually, the decline in thyroid hormone production can result in any of the following:
•Fatigue and sluggishness
•Increased sensitivity to cold
•Increased sleepiness
•Dry skin
•Constipation
Signs and symptoms of Hashimoto's disease vary widely and are not specific to the disorder. Because these symptoms could result from any number of disorders, it's important to see your health care provider as soon as possible for a timely and accurate diagnosis.
Request an appointment
Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.
To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.
Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disorder. The immune system creates antibodies that attack thyroid cells as if they were bacteria, viruses or some other foreign body. The immune system wrongly enlists disease-fighting agents that damage cells and lead to cell death.
What causes the immune system to attack thyroid cells is not clear. The onset of disease may be related to:
•Genetic factors
•Environmental triggers, such as infection, stress or radiation exposure
The following factors are associated with an increased risk of Hashimoto's disease:
•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.
•Other autoimmune disease. Having another autoimmune disease — such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes or lupus — increases your risk of developing Hashimoto's disease.
•Genetics and family history. You're at higher risk for Hashimoto's disease if others in your family have thyroid disorders or other autoimmune diseases.
•Pregnancy. Typical changes in immune function during pregnancy may be a factor in Hashimoto's disease that begins after pregnancy.
Thyroid hormones are essential for the healthy function of many body systems. Therefore, when Hashimoto's disease and hypothyroidism are left untreated, many complications can occur. These include:
•Goiter. A goiter is enlargement of the thyroid. As thyroid hormone production declines due to Hashimoto's disease, the thyroid receives signals from the pituitary gland to make more. This cycle may result in a goiter. It's generally not uncomfortable, but a large goiter can affect your appearance and may interfere with swallowing or breathing.
•Heart problems. Hypothyroidism can result in poor heart function, an enlarged heart and irregular heartbeats. It can also result in high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol — the "bad" cholesterol — that is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and heart failure.
•Mental health issues. Depression or other mental health disorders may occur early in Hashimoto's disease and may become more severe over time.
•Sexual and reproductive dysfunction. In women, hypothyroidism can result in a reduced sexual desire (libido), an inability to ovulate, and irregular and excessive menstrual bleeding. Men with hypothyroidism may have a reduced libido, erectile dysfunction and a lowered sperm count.
•Poor pregnancy outcomes. Hypothyroidism during pregnancy may increase the risk of a miscarriage or preterm birth. Babies born to women with untreated hypothyroidism are at risk for decreased intellectual abilities, autism, speech delays and other developmental disorders.
•A Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition
•Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.Advertising & Sponsorship
Hypothyroidism is the name given to the condition resulting from an underactive thyroid gland. This means that the thyroid is not producing enough thyroid hormone for the body’s needs. What causes hypothyroidism? Hypothyroidism can be caused by: Autoimmune thyroid disease – the most common cause.
Sep 18, 2023 · Autoimmune conditions are those in which the immune system acts abnormally, attacking healthy tissue in the body. Another name for Hashimoto’s is “chronic autoimmune thyroiditis.” In Hashimoto’s disease, the immune system gets inappropriately activated against part of the thyroid gland.
Aug 9, 2023 · 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...
Dec 10, 2022 · The most common cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto's disease. Autoimmune diseases happen when the immune system makes antibodies that attack healthy tissues. Sometimes that process involves the thyroid gland and affects its ability to make hormones.
