Hashimoto’s Disease, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is an inherited disease in which your immune system attacks the thyroid. The thyroid is a small gland located at the base of the neck below the Adam’s Apple. The thyroid is part of your endocrine system which is responsible for producing hormones that coordinate many of the body’s activities. The inflammation resulting from Hashimoto’s Disease often leads to an under-active thyroid gland.
How Common is Hashimoto's Disease
Among the most common thyroid diseases in the United States, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is more common in women than men. The disease often occurs in adolescent or young women, but commonly appears between 30 and 50 years of age.
Often times patients with Hashimoto’s Disease have no symptoms for many years and are diagnosed incidentally when an enlarged thyroid gland or abnormal blood test is discovered as part of a routine examination.
Symptoms of Hashimoto’s Disease include:
- Dry skin
- Fatigue
- Brittle hair and nails
- Constipation
- Weight gain
- Sore muscles
- Menstrual irregularities
If your physician is experienced in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases they can detect a goiter by performing a physical exam and appropriate lab tests.
Patients with hypothyroidism must take a pill containing thyroid hormone every day in order to replace the thyroid hormone they lack. With or without hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s Disease is treated with synthetic thyroxine, which is man-made T4. Some patients will also require T3 therapy, which is another thyroid hormone that circulates in the body.
Your dedicated thyroid doctor will develop the most appropriate form of treatment based on your symptoms. The experienced thyroid doctors at Palm Beach Diabetes and Endocrine Specialists, P.A. have over 150 years of cumulative thyroid experience. To learn more about our thyroid specialists in West Palm Beach or to schedule an appointment with our Hashimoto’s Disease specialist Wellington, please click here to contact us today.