- Main symptoms
- How to confirm the diagnosis
- What causes Hashimoto's thyroiditis
- How the treatment is done
- How should the diet be
- Possible complications of thyroiditis
Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks thyroid cells, causing an inflammation of that gland, which usually results in transient hyperthyroidism which is then followed by hypothyroidism.
In fact, this type of thyroiditis is one of the most common causes of hypothyroidism, especially in adult women, causing symptoms such as excessive tiredness, hair loss, brittle nails and even memory failures.
Most of the time, the disease begins with a painless enlargement of the thyroid and, therefore, can be identified only during a routine examination by the doctor, but in other cases, thyroiditis can cause a sensation in the neck in the neck, which does not cause no pain on palpation. In either case, treatment with an endocrinologist should be started as soon as possible to regulate the functioning of the gland and prevent the appearance of complications.
Main symptoms
The most common symptoms of Hashimoto's thyroiditis are exactly the same as for hypothyroidism, so it is common to have:
- Easy weight gain; Excessive tiredness; Cold and pale skin; Constipation; Low tolerance to cold; Muscle or joint pain; Slight swelling of the front of the neck at the thyroid site; Weaker hair and nails.
This problem is more common in women and is usually found between the ages of 30 and 50. Initially, the doctor can diagnose only hypothyroidism and, after doing other tests, identify thyroid inflammation arriving at the diagnosis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The best way to diagnose Hashimoto's thyroiditis is to consult an endocrinologist and carry out a blood test that evaluates the amount of T3, T4 and TSH, in addition to testing for antithyroid antibodies (anti-TPO). In the case of thyroiditis, TSH is usually normal or increased, never decreased.
Some people may have antithyroid antibodies but have no symptoms, and are considered to have subclinical autoimmune thyroiditis and therefore do not need treatment.
Better understand which tests identify thyroid changes.
What causes Hashimoto's thyroiditis
The specific cause for the appearance of Hashimoto's thyroiditis is not yet known, however it is possible that it is caused by a genetic alteration, since it is possible that the disease appears in several people of the same family. Other studies indicate that this type of thyroiditis can be started after infection by a virus or bacteria, which ends up causing chronic inflammation of the thyroid.
Although there is no known cause, Hashimoto's thyroiditis appears to be more frequent in people with other endocrine disorders such as type 1 diabetes, adrenal gland malfunction or other autoimmune diseases such as pernicious anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, Addison or lupus, and others like ACTH deficit, breast cancer, hepatitis and the presence of H. Pylori .
How the treatment is done
Treatment is usually only indicated when there are changes in TSH values or when symptoms appear, and it is usually started with hormone replacement made with the use of Levothyroxine for 6 months. After that time, it is usually necessary to go back to the doctor to reevaluate the size of the gland and perform new tests to see if it is necessary to switch to another medicine or adjust the dose.
If the person is in pain or there is a rapid growth of the thyroid, the use of corticosteroids, such as Prednisolone, for 3 to 4 weeks, to relieve symptoms may also be indicated.
In addition, food can also greatly affect the health of the thyroid and, therefore, it is recommended to eat a healthy diet with foods rich in nutrients good for the functioning of the thyroid such as iodine, zinc or selenium, for example. See a list of the best thyroid foods.
How should the diet be
Watch the video below and see some tips on how adjusting your diet can help your thyroid function properly:
Possible complications of thyroiditis
When thyroiditis causes changes in hormone production and is not treated properly, some health complications can arise. The most common include:
- Heart problems: people with uncontrolled hypothyroidism are more likely to have high blood LDL levels, which increases the risk of heart problems; Mental health problems: by decreasing the production of thyroid hormones, the body loses energy and therefore the person feels more tired, contributing to changes in mood and even onset of depression; Myxedema: this is a rare condition that usually arises in very advanced cases of hypothyroidism, leading to swelling of the face and even more serious symptoms such as complete lack of energy and loss of consciousness.
Thus, the ideal is that whenever you suspect thyroiditis, seek an endocrinologist to do the necessary tests and start treatment as soon as possible.
