HASHIMOTO DISEASE

By Melissa Seitler
BIO2600 - Summer 2018
 WHAT IS IT?
• Discovered by Dr. Hakaru Hashimoto in 1912
• Most common type of thyroiditis in the United States
• Mostly affecting middle age women, but can affect any age and men also
• Autoimmune disorder
• Body attacks the thyroid gland, damaging it so that it cannot adequately
produce thyroid hormones
• Thyroid hormones control how body uses energy – body functions will slow down with
lack of thyroid hormone

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

 SYMPTOMS
• No symptoms…. And THEN…
• Hypothyroidism symptoms:
• Goiter may be present
• Fatigue
• Weight Gain
• Cold sensitivity
• Muscle aches
• Constipation
• Dry Skin
• Thinning hair
• Depression
• Memory problems This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
 DIAGNOSIS
• Lab blood tests are conducted when patient presents with Hypothyroidism
symptoms

• Hormone test
• Thyroid hormones will be low
• Thyroid stimulating hormone will be high

• Antibody test
• Antibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPO) will be present
 TREATMENT
• Lifelong thyroid replacement – using synthetic Levothyroxine
• May take awhile to adjust to appropriate dose
• Insufficient dose = hypothyroidism symptoms
• Excessive dose = hyperthyroidism symptoms (weight loss, sweating, sensitivity
to heat)

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

 RISK FACTORS
• Family history of Hashimoto Disease
• Other autoimmune disorders
• Being a woman between 40-60

• Can increase your risk of developing other autoimmune disorders

• Contributes to elevated cholesterol levels which can lead to heart disease

• Early detection and treatment

 BIBLIOGRAPHY
• American Thyroid Association. (2018). Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Retrieved from
American Thyroid Association: https://www.thyroid.org/hashimotos-
thyroiditis/
• Milas MD, K. (2014, May 29). Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Retrieved from
EndocrineWeb: https://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/hashimotos-
thyroiditis/hashimotos-thyroiditis-overview
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2017, September).
Hashimoto's Disease. Retrieved from National Institute of Diabetes and
Digestive and Kidney Diseases: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-
information/endocrine-diseases/hashimotos-disease
• Wisse MD, B. (2018, February 22). Chronic Thyroiditis. Retrieved from Medline Plus:
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000371.htm