I know some of you are saying "Hashi-what?" I thought the same thing when I first saw the name. I first saw this name on a Facebook status that a family member had posted. I have subtly been watching this relative's posts and have noticed the challenges that this family member has faced and continues to face on a day-to-day basis. My heart definitely goes out to this person as well as many others who suffer from this disease. Consequently, inspiring me to do a bit of research to learn more about this disease.
Now I would like to state first and foremost that I am not a doctor. What you read in this post is just from my research and my desire to learn more and to inform others. So please don't think that this is a substitute for going to a doctor and getting medical advice from a licensed practitioner.
What is Hashimoto's Disease?
According to the Mayo Clinic, Hashimoto's disease is a condition in which your immune system attacks your thyroid, a small gland at the base of your neck below your Adam's apple. The thyroid gland is part of your endocrine system, which produces hormones that coordinate many of your body's activities.
Basically Hashimoto's disease, also referred to as Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system turns against the body's own tissues. Therefore wreaking havoc on the body and causing all kinds of uncomfortable symptoms. What's worse? It's considered incurable.
Causes:
The exact cause appears to be unknown, but it is believed to be caused by a combination of factors (biological and environmental) such as:
Genes - People diagnosed with this disease often have relatives that have thyroid disease or another autoimmune disease. Therefore suggesting a genetic correlation with the disease.
Hormones - Hashimoto's affects about 7 times as many women as men, suggesting that sex hormones may play a role.
Excessive iodine - Research suggests certain drugs and too much iodine may trigger thyroid disease in susceptible people.
Radiation exposure - Increased cases of thyroid disease have been reported in people exposed to radiation.
Symptoms:
Although Hashimoto's oftentimes leads to an underactive thyroid, it sometimes likes to play both fields. What I mean by that is sometimes your thyroid may be underactive (hypothyroidism), or at times it can be overactive (hyperthyroidism). So this makes for a tough battle to ease the discomfort of symptoms.
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone.
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) is a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone.
I found a wonderful outline of some of the symptoms online. I figured I'd post it instead of just listing out the symptoms. It just seems like a great visual representation so you can actually 'see' the effects. I must add that although this is a long and great list, I don't believe this is an exhaustive list of the symptoms. Everyone is different and can present with slightly different symptoms.
Now I would like to state first and foremost that I am not a doctor. What you read in this post is just from my research and my desire to learn more and to inform others. So please don't think that this is a substitute for going to a doctor and getting medical advice from a licensed practitioner.
What is Hashimoto's Disease?
According to the Mayo Clinic, Hashimoto's disease is a condition in which your immune system attacks your thyroid, a small gland at the base of your neck below your Adam's apple. The thyroid gland is part of your endocrine system, which produces hormones that coordinate many of your body's activities.
Basically Hashimoto's disease, also referred to as Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system turns against the body's own tissues. Therefore wreaking havoc on the body and causing all kinds of uncomfortable symptoms. What's worse? It's considered incurable.
Causes:
The exact cause appears to be unknown, but it is believed to be caused by a combination of factors (biological and environmental) such as:
Genes - People diagnosed with this disease often have relatives that have thyroid disease or another autoimmune disease. Therefore suggesting a genetic correlation with the disease.
Hormones - Hashimoto's affects about 7 times as many women as men, suggesting that sex hormones may play a role.
Excessive iodine - Research suggests certain drugs and too much iodine may trigger thyroid disease in susceptible people.
Radiation exposure - Increased cases of thyroid disease have been reported in people exposed to radiation.
Symptoms:
Although Hashimoto's oftentimes leads to an underactive thyroid, it sometimes likes to play both fields. What I mean by that is sometimes your thyroid may be underactive (hypothyroidism), or at times it can be overactive (hyperthyroidism). So this makes for a tough battle to ease the discomfort of symptoms.
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone.
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) is a condition in which the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone.
I found a wonderful outline of some of the symptoms online. I figured I'd post it instead of just listing out the symptoms. It just seems like a great visual representation so you can actually 'see' the effects. I must add that although this is a long and great list, I don't believe this is an exhaustive list of the symptoms. Everyone is different and can present with slightly different symptoms.
Diagnosis:
Hashimoto's is often misdiagnosed because the symptoms are so similar to other issues or diseases. Sometimes your symptoms can point to problems or diseases such as: depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, or fibromyalgia. So there ends up being so much confusion for you, your family, and friends. Everyone, including yourself, is wondering what the heck is wrong with you? Some people may even think that you are just being lazy, 'faking it', trying to get attention, or just being a hypochondriac. Therefore, it's important that your doctor tests your hormones and antibodies for levels that are too high, low, or abnormal. This should give him/her and you a definitive answer. That way you'll be able to begin treatment to hopefully ease your symptoms. Furthermore, you can put your curiosity and others' harsh accusations to rest.
Treatment:
Recall that unfortunately there seems to be no cure for Hashimoto's. So depending on your individual factors, your doctor may prescribe you medication to ease your symptoms.
These drugs will be prescribed based upon factors such as:
- hormone levels
- age
- weight
- severity
- other health issues
- other medicines that may interact with possible prescription.
According to WebMD, Once you start treatment, your doctor will order a lab test called a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test to monitor thyroid function and help ensure you are getting the right dose. Because thyroid hormones act very slowly in the body, it may take a few months for symptoms to go away and your goiter (an enlargement of the thyroid gland) to shrink. However, large goiters that do not improve may make it necessary to remove the thyroid gland. Your doctor will continue to monitor your medications and condition to see what the appropriate treatment is for you.
There are other forms of treatment or supplements that can be used in conjunction with medications to achieve as much relief as possible. But these treatments or supplements must be discussed with your doctor beforehand to ensure that it is safe and right for you. These treatments and supplements may include:
- Selenium Supplementation - Selenium is a mineral found in the soil. Selenium naturally appears in water and some foods. While people only need a very small amount, selenium plays a key role in the metabolism.
- Diet - Certain foods may affect the way your body absorbs your medication, or affect your disease altogether.
Most studies suggest that you stay away from foods that have gluten, dairy, high sugar, soy, etc. There are specific foods that you should avoid or limit for your daily intake. But you will need to research and discuss with your doctor about what diet may work for you.
What happens if Hashimoto's Disease is not treated?
Without treatment, Hashimoto’s disease may progress and symptoms of an underactive thyroid can get worse. An untreated underactive thyroid can cause further problems, including:
- Infertility
- Miscarriage
- Giving birth to a baby with birth defects
- High cholesterol
Severe underactive thyroid called myxedema (mik-suh-DEE-muh) can very rarely lead to:
- Heart failure
- Seizures
- Coma
- Death
As you can see, this is a very serious condition. So I urge you to seek medical attention if you notice these signs or symptoms in yourself or others. Don't just take for granted that you have something else, or that you'll 'just get over it'. In addition, please don't just assume that someone else is being lazy, just depressed, trying to get attention, or making things up. It could be Hashimoto's. With the exception of a large goiter, It's almost like the disease is invisible so you'll never know unless you get the proper testing. So please, don't mess around with this. Furthermore, please understand and know that the people who have this disease are not at fault for some of their actions and behavior. It is their body attacking them and creating all of the discomfort and behavior that they are experiencing. So if they are cranky or feeling miserable please cut them some slack. Try to be supportive and help them through this. They need all the help and understanding that they can get.
~Thank you for reading this post. I hope that it has helped you to understand this disease. Therefore, you are able to help yourself or others' get through this. Again, I want to re-state that I am not a doctor and this post is not a substitute for medical advice from a licensed practitioner.~
--One more thing before I let you go. I wanted to post a link for a book that may help you become more educated about the disease and possible treatments to ease the symptoms. I have not read it yet, but it has excellent reviews on Amazon. So if you'd like, click on the link below and check it out. I hope it helps you.
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