Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. This leads to chronic inflammation and often results in hypothyroidism, where the thyroid produces too little hormone. Common symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, dry skin, depression, and brain fog. It’s more common in women and typically develops gradually over time. Hashimoto’s is diagnosed through blood tests (checking TSH, free T4, and thyroid antibodies) and is usually treated with thyroid hormone replacement therapy (like levothyroxine).

Symptoms often develop gradually and may include:

• Fatigue

• Weight gain

• Cold intolerance

• Constipation

• Depression

• Dry skin

• Puffy face

• Hair thinning or hair loss

• Hoarseness

• Menstrual irregularities or heavy periods

• Memory lapses or difficulty concentrating (“brain fog”)

• Slowed heart rate

• Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland)

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis has several causes. About 80% of the risk comes from your genes, while the other 20% is due to things like too much or too little iodine, certain medications, infections, high stress, or exposure to radiation.

Diagnosis typically involves:

• Blood tests:

  • Elevated TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone)

  • Low free T4

  • Presence of anti-thyroid antibodies (especially TPOAb and TgAb)

• Ultrasound of the thyroid may reveal a heterogeneous, hypoechoic gland

• Physical examination may detect a goiter

There is no cure, but symptoms can be managed with:

• Levothyroxine (synthetic T4) to normalize thyroid hormone levels

• Regular monitoring of TSH levels to adjust dosage

• Selenium supplementation in some cases (with caution and medical supervision)

• Addressing related symptoms such as depression or high cholesterol

• With proper treatment, most people live normal, healthy lives

• Untreated, it can lead to complications like heart problems, infertility, goiter, and myxedema (severe hypothyroidism)

• Lifelong monitoring is typically needed

• Affects approximately 1–2% of the population

• More common in women, especially those aged 30–60

• Often coexists with other autoimmune disorders (e.g., type 1 diabetes, celiac disease)