Hashimoto
The chronic immunothyroiditis Hashimoto is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune means that the body’s own immune system is directed against its own organism. It is a chronic disease of the thyroid gland that causes inflammation of the organ.
In this disease the thyroid tissue is systematically destroyed by the body’s own T-lymphocytes. T-lymphocytes are responsible for the defence against pathogens. There are two different forms of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: chronic Hashimoto’s thyroiditis causes an enlargement of the thyroid gland, while Ord’s thyroiditis causes a reduction in the size of the thyroid gland.
However, both forms show very similar or the same symptoms and both ultimately result in hypothyroidism. It is a very common autoimmune disease, which is the cause of most hypothyroidism. Usually, both sexes are equally affected.
Nevertheless, it has been shown that hormones play a particularly important role, as pregnant women or people who are exposed to increased stress often develop Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. So far, no clear evidence has been found as to what ultimately causes the disease. However, it is known that the immune system is directed against the body and special lymph nodes are formed which attack and destroy the thyroid tissue.
Genetic factors are also possible, as there are often several cases of the disease within a family. In addition, this disease occurs particularly frequently in connection with severe viral diseases and the PCO syndrome. It is also being researched to what extent excessive iodine intake can cause the disease.
However, all these causes are based on observations that have not yet been sufficiently proven by studies. The disease can go unnoticed for years and even when the first antibodies appear in the blood, it can still take a very long time for the thyroid gland to malfunction. As mentioned above, initially an overactive thyroid gland occurs, but this is only noticed in very rare cases as hardly any symptoms occur.
Only when the disease has moved from hyperthyroidism to hypothyroidism do patients notice the first symptoms. Initially, however, these are very unspecific. People feel more cold, and cold sweats and oedema occur more frequently.
In addition, there are some symptoms that are directly related to the neck and the location of the thyroid gland. This can be the feeling of having a lump in the throat, or hoarseness and even the feeling of someone squeezing your neck. In addition, patients are tired and lacking in drive.
It can lead to indigestion and cardiovascular disease, as well as brittle nails and dull and easily broken hair. In very serious cases, infertility of a man or woman may even occur. Of course, the intensity of the symptoms can vary from patient to patient and rarely does a patient have all of the symptoms listed.
The course of the disease is usually very mild. In very few cases, the disease can reach a more severe course. Only very rarely can Hashimoto’s encephalitis be accompanied by the disease.
The disease can be diagnosed by taking a patient’s medical history and describing the symptoms on the one hand, and by means of ultrasound and a blood count on the other. However, antibodies against thyroid tissue are usually found late in the blood. An ultrasound image usually provides information at an earlier stage as to whether the patient is ill or not.
In addition, the TSH value increases if the thyroid gland develops an underfunction.In addition to the above mentioned examinations, a thyroid scintigraphy and a biopsy are performed. One should urgently avoid excessive intake of iodine. Selenium usually has a positive effect on antibody defence and is often given in this context. As soon as hypothyroidism has developed, the patient must be given thyroid hormones as the body is unable to produce enough of them.
