Hashimoto disease description:
Hashimoto disease is a disorder that affects the thyroid, a small gland located at the base of the neck, below the Adam's apple. Thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system, which produces hormones that coordinate the activities of the body.In Hashimoto disease, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. Resulting inflammation often causes an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism).
Symptom of Hashimoto disease:
Hashimoto disease has no unique signs and symptoms. The disease usually develops slowly over several years and causes chronic thyroid damage resulting in decreased thyroid hormone levels in the blood. The signs and symptoms, especially those from under-active thyroid gland (hypothyroidism).
The signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism vary widely, depending on the severity of hormone deficiency. At first, symptoms may rarely seen, such as fatigue and lethargy, or signs of aging. But the longer the disease progresses, symptoms and signs more clearly. Signs and symptoms include:
- Fatigue and lethargy
- Increase sensitivity to cold
- Constipation
- The skin was pale, dry skin
- Swollen face
- Hoarse voice
- High blood cholesterol level
- Muscle pain, tenderness and stiffness, especially in the shoulders and hips
- Pain and stiffness in the joints and swelling in the knee or the small joints in the hands and feet
- Muscle weakness
- Prolonged menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia)
- Depression
Tips to treatment Hashimoto disease:
Treatment for Hashimoto disease may include observation and use of medicines.
If Hashimoto disease causes thyroid hormone deficiency, the patient may require thyroid hormone replacement therapy. This usually involves daily use of synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine (levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid). Synthetic levothyroxine is identical to thyroxine, the natural version of this hormone produced by the thyroid gland. Swallow drugs to restore adequate hormone levels and reverse all the symptoms of hypothyroidism.
