Hashimoto Thyroiditis

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an autoimmune and chronic lymphocytic disease in which the thyroid gland is attacked by numerous cells and antibody influenced immune processes. They cause primary thyroidism. This is one of the first auto immune diseases to be recognised. This is a condition where the immune system attacks the thyroid which is a small gland at the base of your neck below the Adam’s apple. This gland is a part of the endocrine system that produces hormones which coordinate many activities in your body. The inflammation that results from Hashimoto’s disease leads to an underactive thyroid gland or hypothyroidism. It affects mostly middle aged women. Treatment is prescribed by way of hormone replacement and it is an effective process. This disease progresses slowly over the years and causes thyroid damage and that leads to a drop in the thyroid hormone levels in the blood. The symptoms are those of hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid gland. Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism • Fatigue and sluggishness • Increased sensitivity to cold • Constipation • Pale, and dry skin • A puffy face • Hoarse voice • Unexplained weight gain — occurring infrequently and rarely exceeding 10 to 20 pounds, most of which is fluid • Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness, especially in your shoulders and hips • Pain and stiffness in your joints and swelling in your knees or the small joints in your hands and feet • Muscle weakness, especially in your lower extremities • Excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) • Depression