Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease that affects your thyroid. It happens when your immune system mistakenly attacks this small gland at the front of your neck.

Your thyroid makes hormones that control many important functions in your body, including:

Heart rate
Digestion
Body temperature
Metabolism
Energy levels

Over time, Hashimoto’s can damage the thyroid and make it harder for the gland to produce enough thyroid hormone. This can lead to hypothyroidism, also called an underactive thyroid.

Hashimoto’s often develops slowly. You may have the condition for years before you notice symptoms. Blood tests can show whether Hashimoto’s or an underactive thyroid may be causing changes in how you feel.

What Happens to Your Thyroid With Hashimoto’s?

At first, your thyroid may still make enough hormone even though your immune system is attacking it.

As more thyroid cells become damaged, the gland may have trouble making the hormones your body needs. Your thyroid may also become enlarged. This is called a goiter and can cause swelling or a feeling of fullness in your neck.

Some people eventually develop hypothyroidism. When thyroid hormone levels are too low, many functions in your body can slow down. This can affect your energy, digestion, skin, hair, muscles, menstrual cycles, and heart rate.

What Are the Symptoms of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?

Hashimoto’s may not cause noticeable symptoms at first. Symptoms often appear as the thyroid becomes less able to make enough hormone.

You may notice:

Fatigue or feeling unusually tired
Weight gain
Feeling cold more easily
Constipation
Dry skin
Thinning hair
Muscle or joint aches
A slower heart rate
Heavy or irregular periods
Fertility problems
Swelling or fullness in your neck from a goiter

These symptoms can have many causes. Blood tests can help your doctor find out whether your thyroid may be responsible.

Who Is More Likely to Develop Hashimoto’s?

Hashimoto’s can affect anyone, but it’s much more common in women.

You’re also more likely to develop Hashimoto’s if it or another thyroid condition runs in your family.

Hashimoto’s is also more common in people who have another autoimmune disease, such as:

Type 1 diabetes
Celiac disease
Rheumatoid arthritis
Lupus
Sjögren’s syndrome

Having one of these conditions doesn’t mean you’ll develop Hashimoto’s. But your doctor may pay closer attention to changes in your thyroid function.

How Is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. They may also examine your neck to see if your thyroid is enlarged.

Blood tests are an important part of diagnosing Hashimoto’s. Your doctor may check:

TSH. Thyroid-stimulating hormone, or TSH, tells your thyroid to make thyroid hormone. A high TSH level can be a sign that your thyroid isn’t working as well as it should.
Free T4. This test measures one of the main hormones made by your thyroid. A low free T4 level can be a sign of hypothyroidism.
TPO antibodies. These antibodies are common in people with Hashimoto’s and can be a sign that your immune system is attacking your thyroid.

Some people with Hashimoto’s may also have thyroglobulin antibodies.

Your doctor may recommend a thyroid ultrasound if your thyroid is enlarged or your blood tests don’t give a clear answer. An ultrasound can show changes in the thyroid and check for other problems, such as thyroid nodules.

How Is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Treated?

Treatment depends on how well your thyroid is working.

If you have Hashimoto’s but your thyroid hormone levels are still normal, you may not need thyroid hormone medicine. Your doctor may check your blood regularly to watch for changes.

If Hashimoto’s causes hypothyroidism, your doctor may prescribe levothyroxine. This medicine replaces the thyroid hormone your body isn’t making enough of.

Your doctor will use blood tests to see how you’re responding and adjust your dose when needed. Once your thyroid levels are stable, you’ll still need regular testing to make sure your dose continues to meet your needs.

Many people who develop hypothyroidism from Hashimoto’s need thyroid hormone replacement long term.

Get Help for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis in San Antonio

If you’re tired, gaining weight, feeling unusually cold, or noticing other signs of an underactive thyroid, blood tests can show whether your thyroid may be the cause.

The endocrinology team at Diabetes & Glandular Disease Clinic can evaluate your symptoms, check your thyroid function, and recommend treatment based on your needs. Schedule an appointment at our San Antonio clinic to get started.

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis FAQs

1. Is Hashimoto’s the Same as Hypothyroidism?

No. Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease that damages the thyroid. Hypothyroidism happens when your thyroid doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone.

Hashimoto’s can cause hypothyroidism, but the two terms don’t mean the same thing.

2. Can Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Be Cured?

Hashimoto’s is a long-term autoimmune condition. There isn’t currently a cure, but treatment can manage the low thyroid hormone levels that may result from the disease.

If you develop hypothyroidism, you may need long-term treatment with levothyroxine.