Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States, the American Thyroid Association reports.
In Hashimoto's, the immune system produces antibodies that damage thyroid tissue.
It is an autoimmune disease that progresses so slowly that many people spend years being told they are just tired or aging.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) estimates that hypothyroidism affects about 5 in 100 Americans, and Hashimoto's is the leading cause.
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Women are 4 to 10 times more likely to be diagnosed than men, most often between 30 and 50.
The 8 warning signs
Signs and symptoms of Hashimoto's overlap with a long list of everyday complaints. The ATA lists the following as typical.
- Persistent fatigue that sleep does not fix
- Unexplained weight gain and a slowed metabolism
- Cold intolerance, feeling chilled in rooms others find comfortable
- Dry skin and puffiness around the face
- Hair thinning or brittle nails
- Depression or new mood changes
- Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
- Constipation, muscle aches, or heavy and irregular periods
Why a normal thyroid test is not the last word
A normal TSH result does not rule out Hashimoto's.
A full autoimmune workup adds anti-TPO antibodies and, when needed, anti-thyroglobulin antibodies.
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Ultrasound of the gland can show the inflammation directly.
The ATA notes that Hashimoto's often progresses very slowly over many years, which is exactly the window when antibody testing can catch what TSH cannot yet.
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This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.