Did you know there’s an autoimmune condition that’s four to 10 times more likely [[niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/hashimotos-disease]] to occur in women than men? Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, also known as Hashimoto’s disease or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is the most common thyroid disease in the U.S.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis often sets in for women between the ages of 30 and 50, but prevalence increases with age, especially for those who have undergone pregnancy-related hormonal shifts. If you’re in this age group and want to stay informed about your health risks, continue reading to learn about this disease and its common symptoms.  

What is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?
Before we take a deep dive into Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, it’s essential to understand where your thyroid gland is, what it does and how important it is to your overall health. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped endocrine organ that straddles your windpipe, located below the Adam’s apple but above the collarbone.

This small gland plays an essential role in regulating vital functions by secreting hormones that affect almost every organ system in your body. Its primary role is controlling the speed of your metabolism, also known as your metabolic rate. This is the process by which your body converts the food you eat into energy.

Your thyroid also helps regulate the amount of blood pumped through your circulatory system and helps move food through your digestive system. If your thyroid becomes ill or damaged, you can encounter issues with your nervous and reproductive systems, among other symptoms.

Hashimoto’s disease is a chronic autoimmune condition affecting the thyroid gland. In a healthy body, the immune system leaves healthy tissues alone and focuses its energy on foreign invaders, such as bacteria and viruses. In Hashimoto's disease, the immune system begins attacking healthy thyroid cells, or thyrocytes, leading to the production of aggressive antibodies that target proteins essential for hormone production. Because the critical proteins are under attack, the organ can no longer produce the normal level of hormones your body needs, resulting in hypothyroidism.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
As a slowly developing disease with few notable symptoms in the early stages, people with Hashimoto's might go years without realizing they are ill. One common symptom is a goiter, in which the thyroid gland becomes enlarged. It shouldn't hurt, but an enlarged gland can create an uncomfortable feeling of fullness in the neck, leading to difficulty swallowing and making the front of it — where the thyroid is — look swollen.

Once hypothyroidism occurs, people with this condition are likely to experience symptoms not limited to, but including:

• Tiredness, drowsiness and excessive sleeping.
• Low or depressed mood.
• Memory problems or difficulty concentrating.
• Fertility issues for all genders; heavy menstrual flow for women.
• Feeling cold or having increased sensitivity to the cold.
• Dry, brittle hair and nails.
• Dry, itchy skin.

To diagnose Hashimoto's thyroiditis, your doctor will hear your symptoms and perform a physical exam of your thyroid by palpating the area, followed by blood tests to confirm the diagnosis. These tests measure levels of certain hormones in your blood and the presence of antithyroid antibodies. Your provider might also use an ultrasound to assess the size of your thyroid and check for any growths on the gland.

Treatment Options
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is a manageable and treatable condition, thanks to the availability of synthetic hormones. These hormones mimic the ones a healthy thyroid naturally produces, ensuring your levels are healthy. Some people experience side effects where their levels become too high, which can lead to nervous system and reproductive system issues. 

If you are diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, you’ll need to be on this medication to manage your body’s hormone needs for the rest of your life, as there is no way to cure or reverse this autoimmune condition. But, with monitoring and treatment, the outlook for people with this condition is excellent, according to the Cleveland Clinic. [[my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17665-hashimotos-disease]]

When your body feels "off," it can be challenging to know the root cause. If a complaint is minor, like some brain fog or a lingering chill that won't go away, you might not prioritize a doctor's visit right away. However, conditions like Hashimoto's show that if you feel unwell, out of sorts or not your usual self for an extended period without relief, it's essential to contact your primary care physician. They can help you identify the root cause and recommend treatment options.

Articles in this newsletter are supposed to be informative, enlightening and helpful to you. While all information contained herein is meant to be completely factual, it is always subject to change. Articles are not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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