Gavini Pediatrics - Hashimoto's Disease

Gavini Pediatric & ADHD Clinics 26850 Providence Parkway, Suite 300, Novi, MI 48374 :: 248.348.4200 www.ADHDclinic.com :: www.YourKidsDoctor.com
Hashimoto's Disease What is Hashimoto's? Hashimoto's affects the thyroid and is known to be an autoimmune disease in which your body's immune system attacks the thyroid. The result of this is a less active and productive thyroid. There are no unique symptoms to indicate Hashimoto's. As it presents mostly in middle aged women, it is of ten mistaken as the symptoms of getting older.
Signs and Symptoms Fatigue and sluggishness An increased sensitivity to cold Constipation Pale, dry skin A puffy face Hoarse voice Unexplained weight gain that occurs infrequently and doesn't usually exceed 10 to 20 pounds. Elevated blood cholesterol level Muscle weakness, particularly in the lower extremities Stiffness and pain in the joints and swelling in the knees, hands or feet Prolonged or excessive menstrual bleeding Depression
When Should You Seek a Doctor? Feeling tired or exhausted for no apparent reason. Dry skin Constipation Pale, puffy face Hoarse voice While these symptoms by themselves don’t seem like much, any of them could become distressing to one’s life. Particularly the feelings of tiredness as this is a common symptom of hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto's.
Complications Heart Problems can be caused by high-levels of LDL cholesterol which typically occurs in people with an underactive thyroid gland. Mental Health Issues: Depression Birth Defects: higher birth defect rates are found in women who have untreated Hashimoto's disease. Myxedema: this condition is life-threatening and rare. It develops from a long-term period of untreated Hashimoto's disease. Typical symptoms of this condition are severe intolerance to the cold, drowsiness and intense lethargy, and unconsciousness. Goiter: the thyroid gland become enlarged, and while it is generally not uncomfortable, it can interfere with breathing and swallowing and may affect an individual's appearance.
Treatment/Tests Hormone Test: to check your TSH levels and determine if you’re hypothyroid and a possible candidate for Hashimoto's Antibody Test: this test checks to see if there is a normal production of antibodies, or in the case of Hashimoto's abnormal production in antibodies. Synthetic Hormones: levothyroxine is administered to correct the thyroid imbalance. Levothyroxine is identical to thyroxine which is the natural hormone that your thyroid produces. Monitoring Dosage: dosage must be monitored, as too much thyroxine can accelerate bone loss and cause heart flutters.

Gavini Pediatric & ADHD Clinics

26850 Providence Parkway, Suite 300, Novi, MI 48374 :: 248.348.4200

www.ADHDclinic.com :: www.YourKidsDoctor.com

Hashimoto's Disease

What is Hashimoto's?

Hashimoto's affects the thyroid and is known to be an autoimmune disease in which your body's immune system attacks the thyroid. The result of this is a less active and productive thyroid. There are no unique symptoms to indicate Hashimoto's. As it presents mostly in middle aged women, it is of ten mistaken as the symptoms of getting older.

Signs and Symptoms

Fatigue and sluggishness
An increased sensitivity to cold
Constipation
Pale, dry skin
A puffy face
Hoarse voice
Unexplained weight gain that occurs infrequently and doesn't usually exceed 10 to 20 pounds.
Elevated blood cholesterol level
Muscle weakness, particularly in the lower extremities
Stiffness and pain in the joints and swelling in the knees, hands or feet
Prolonged or excessive menstrual bleeding
Depression

When Should You Seek a Doctor?

Feeling tired or exhausted for no apparent reason.
Dry skin
Constipation
Pale, puffy face
Hoarse voice

While these symptoms by themselves don’t seem like much, any of them could become distressing to one’s life. Particularly the feelings of tiredness as this is a common symptom of hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto's.

Complications

Heart Problems can be caused by high-levels of LDL cholesterol which typically occurs in people with an underactive thyroid gland.
Mental Health Issues: Depression
Birth Defects: higher birth defect rates are found in women who have untreated Hashimoto's disease.
Myxedema: this condition is life-threatening and rare. It develops from a long-term period of untreated Hashimoto's disease. Typical symptoms of this condition are severe intolerance to the cold, drowsiness and intense lethargy, and unconsciousness.
Goiter: the thyroid gland become enlarged, and while it is generally not uncomfortable, it can interfere with breathing and swallowing and may affect an individual's appearance.

Treatment/Tests

Hormone Test: to check your TSH levels and determine if you’re hypothyroid and a possible candidate for Hashimoto's
Antibody Test: this test checks to see if there is a normal production of antibodies, or in the case of Hashimoto's abnormal production in antibodies.
Synthetic Hormones: levothyroxine is administered to correct the thyroid imbalance. Levothyroxine is identical to thyroxine which is the natural hormone that your thyroid produces.
Monitoring Dosage: dosage must be monitored, as too much thyroxine can accelerate bone loss and cause heart flutters.