With the word “Hashimoto” most people hesitate at first and would not be able to classify it as a disease. But in fact, the autoimmune disease also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis got its name from the Japanese doctor Hakaru Hashimoto, who discovered the disease.
Definition
Hashimoto thyreoiditis belongs to the autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases are diseases in which the body’s own immune system recognizes cells of the body as foreign and destroys them. For this reason, the antibodies that are directed against the body’s own cells are called autoantibodies.
They are responsible for numerous autoimmune diseases. A list of all autoantibodies and the corresponding clinical pictures can be found here: Autoantibodies It is the most common form of a chronic inflammatory thyroid gland and the most common cause of hypothyroidism. The incidence in the total population is 5-10%, with a gender distribution of 9:1 (female:male) and mostly affects people between 30 and 60 years of age.
Causes
In this autoimmune disease the thyroid cells are destroyed by the so-called T cells (white blood cells of the so-called “acquired immune defense”). In addition, antibodies are formed which are directed against antigens of the thyroid gland. This in turn leads to a chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland, which can ultimately lead to hypothyroidism, i.e. a lack of thyroid hormones.
The exact causes leading to Hashimoto thyroiditis are not yet sufficiently understood. One suspects however among other things these triggers:
- Family history (genetics)
- Intestinal problems and intolerances
- Stress
- Viral diseases (e.g. shingles or whistling glandular fever)
- Chronic Infections
- Excessive iodine supply
- Hormonal changes (e.g. puberty, pregnancy, lactation, discontinuation of the pill, premenopause, menopause) that result in high estrogen and low progesterone levels.
- In addition, Hashimoto thyroiditis may be associated with other autoimmune diseases. Diabetes type 1 is an example.
