Chronic thyroiditis (Hashimoto's disease)

Causes and Risks:
Chronic thyroiditis, or Hashimoto's disease, is a common thyroid disorder that can occur at any age, but is most common among middle aged women. The onset is slow and is often not detected. It is caused by a reaction of the immune system against the thyroid gland. The disease may be associated with other autoimmune endocrine disorders such as diabetes mellitus , Addison's disease , hypoparathyroidism , hypopituitarism , Graves' disease , vitiligo , and others. Risk factors are having a family history of thyroid disease , and being a woman. The incidence is 1 out of 10,000 people.

Prevention:
There is no known way to prevent this disorder. Awareness of risk factors may allow earlier diagnosis and treatment.

Symptoms:

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

Note: There may be no symptoms.

Signs and Tests:
Laboratory tests to determine thyroid function include:

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:



Treatment:
If the thyroid gland is only slightly enlarged and there is no evidence of thyroid hormone deficiency, treatment may be limited to regular observation by a health care provider. A deficiency of thyroid hormone may develop at a later time. Replacement therapy with thyroid hormone (levothyroxine) is given if the hormone is deficient or if a large goiter is present.

Prognosis:
The outcome is usually very good because the disease remains stable for years, or progresses slowly to a condition of thyroid hormone deficiency ( hypothyroidism ) that can be treated with thyroid replacement therapy.

Complications:



Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of chronic thyroiditis develop.


The endocrine system is the chemical control center of the body. The pituitary gland is often considered the master control; sending out hormones that regulate the function of the thyroid, adrenal glands, ovaries, and testis. Over- or under-production of hormones from any of these glands is associated with many different types of disease.



This picture shows an enlargement of the thyroid (goiter), which can be caused by lack of iodine in the diet, thyroid infection, or excessive thyroid function (hyperthyroidism). Since iodine has been added to table salt, the incidence of goiter has decreased.



This special scan (scintiscan) shows enlargement of the thyroid gland and extension behind the breastbone (retrosternal space). The false color image was generated by a computer during a radioisotope (I-131) thyroid scan.