Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease where your body’s immune system attacks and gradually destroys the thyroid gland which is located at the lower part of your neck. Thyroid gland produces the hormone Thyroxine which support number of important body functions. In the early stages of this disease there may not be any symptoms. The only way we can identify early Hashimotos disease is by running a blood test measuring the levels of the Anti thyroid antibodies. It may take few months to years before the antibodies destroy enough of the Thyroid gland to cause low thyroid state called Hypothyroidism. This disease is common in middle aged women. It is not uncommon to find this disorder in adolescents and children.
Hashimoto's disease does not have unique signs and symptoms. The disease typically progresses slowly over a number of years and causes chronic thyroid damage, leading to a drop in thyroid hormone levels in your blood. The signs and symptoms are mainly those of an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism).
The signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism vary widely, depending on the severity of hormone deficiency. At first, you may barely notice any symptoms,
*This information is intended for use by my patients as part of my lab test information and patient communication program. For other readers of this article, I inform that this information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. I hereby disclaim any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
