Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland. It is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. About 1 in every 100 people has Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. If you are one of those people, it’s important to know what to expect and how to manage your condition. In this blog post, we will discuss 5 things that you need to know about Hashimoto’s thyroiditis!
1. Hashimoto’s disease is a disorder that affects the immune system.
Hashimoto’s disease is an illness that affects your thyroid gland and produces symptoms of wide-ranging natures. It can have different impacts on people, depending upon their immune system response as well as other factors including age or gender identity/sexual orientation. If you’re experiencing these signs & symptoms then please see a doctor immediately because there may be others contributing to the problem besides just Hashimoto’s!
2. A patient with Hashimoto’s disease may experience memory loss, depression, irritability, etc.
Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks thyroid cells as if they were bacteria or viruses. The result of this attack on healthy tissue leads to cell death and damage which can cause any number of symptoms in different areas including mental functioning.
Hashimoto’s patients may experience memory loss, depression, irritability, etc., all related directly to their own body going through major renovations within itself due t the destruction occurring at various levels.
The most common symptom of Hashimoto’s disease is fatigue. This can be attributed to the breakdown of cells within the thyroid gland which in turn decreases the production of critical hormones. As these hormones are responsible for energy metabolism, a decrease leads to feelings of exhaustion. Other symptoms may include:
- Muscular aches and pains
- Joint pain
- Difficulty concentrating
3. Hashimoto’s disease is an illness that may have been linked to your genes or the environment.
Hashimoto’s disease has been linked to several different factors, including genetics and environmental triggers. One popular theory suggests that it may be related to the body producing too much or not enough of a particular hormone called thyroxine (T4). There are also studies that suggest an interaction between your genes and what you eat – some people with Hashimoto’s have had their symptoms improve after making certain dietary tweaks like cutting out gluten from their diet completely!
4. It is believed that people who are constantly exposed to high levels of environmental radiation may be more likely than others, eventually develop Hashimoto’s disease.
When you’re exposed to excess levels of environmental radiation, such as that found in a hospital or around nuclear power plants, for example, your body is more likely prone to Hashimoto’s disease.
5. Having another autoimmune disease means you’re at higher risk for Hashimoto’s.
Having another autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes or lupus can increase your risk for Hashimoto’s.
Diagnosis:
If you think you may have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, it’s important to see your doctor for a diagnosis. They will likely order a blood test to check your levels of thyroid hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). An ultrasound may also be ordered to get a better look at your thyroid gland.
Treatment:
There is no cure for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, but there are treatments that can help manage the condition. The most common treatment is levothyroxine, which is a synthetic form of thyroxine (the main hormone produced by the thyroid). Levothyroxine replaces the thyroxine that your body is not able to produce on its own.
Hashimoto’s disease is a disorder that affects the immune system. If you have been experiencing memory loss, depression, irritability, and other symptoms, you may want to consider getting tested for Hashimoto’s disease. While there is no cure for this illness, it is possible to manage the symptoms with the help of a doctor. If you think you may be at risk for developing Hashimoto’s due to your genes or environment, please call us today to schedule an appointment. We would be happy to answer any questions you have about this condition and provide you with more information on how to manage it.
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