Hashimoto's Thyroid Disease
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition in which the body's antibodies attack the thyroid, a butterfly shaped gland located in the neck, leads to underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism. According to the Mayo Clinic, Hashimoto's is the number one cause of hypothyroidism in the U.S.
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Statistics
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The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists states that 14 million people in the United States have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Women develop the condition seven times more frequently than men do.
Symptoms
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Symptoms associated with Hashimoto's include weight gain, tiredness, temperature intolerance, memory problems and difficultly learning, dry skin and hair, brittle hair and nails, constipation, puffy face, high cholesterol, hoarseness, pain and stiffness of the joints, depression and muscle aches.
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Other Signs
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Other signs of Hashimoto's include changes in a woman's menstrual cycle, medication sensitivities, frequent miscarriages and development of a goiter, which occurs when the thyroid gland enlarges because of constant bombardment of hormones.
Diagnosis
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A physical exam of the thyroid gland for goiter, symptoms check and blood tests are used to diagnosis Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. The two most commonly used tests include the TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) and the antithyroid antibodies blood workups. Elevated levels found in either blood test indicate Hashimoto's.
Treatment
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Daily medication improves and treats symptoms associated with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Andrea Allen
