Signs and Symptoms of Hashimoto’s

An estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease, and Hashimoto’s is one of the most common thyroid conditions that people suffer from. It causes severe damage to the thyroid and requires in-depth medical care.

However, if you’re unfamiliar with Hashimoto’s, you may not know the telltale signs of the condition. To better understand the signs and symptoms of Hashimoto’s, continue reading the information below

What Is Hashimoto’s Disease?

Hashimoto’s is a condition that causes the immune system to attack the thyroid. The thyroid is a small gland located at the base of your neck. It’s part of the endocrine system, which creates the hormones used to establish many of the body’s regular functions.

The inflammation caused by Hashimoto’s disease—also referred to as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis—triggers an underactive thyroid gland. When the thyroid is underactive, it causes hypothyroidism. One of the most common causes of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s.

Hashimoto’s disease generally affects middle-aged women, but the condition can also occur in children, men, and women of various ages.

The Signs and Symptoms of Hashimoto’s

If you’re unfamiliar with the signs and symptoms of Hashimoto’s, then you may not recognize the problem when it starts. In fact, Hashimoto’s disease progressively comes on over a period of years. It creates chronic thyroid damage, which leads to a decrease in thyroid hormone levels within the blood.

When that happens, most of those symptoms are created due to an interactive thyroid gland, which is hypothyroidism. Below are some of the warning signs to look out for:

• Constipation
• Hair loss
• Pale skin
• Fatigue
• Feeling cold
• Muscle weakness
• Joint pain
• Stiffness
• Weight gain
• Enlarged tongue
• Forgetfulness
• Depression
• Extended periods of menstrual bleeding

If you experience constant constipation, fatigue, or a pale, puffy face, you need to see your doctor as soon as possible. Your physician can test your thyroid to see if it’s functioning properly.

If you notice any of these symptoms, visit your physician if you’ve previously had thyroid surgery, radiation therapy, or treatment with radioactive iodine. Furthermore, your doctor must examine you if you’ve taken anti-thyroid medications.

Complications Associated With Hashimoto’s Disease

If your hypothyroidism is left untreated, it can cause other health problems. Hashimoto’s creates an underactive thyroid gland, which ultimately leads to poor health. Below are some of the complications associated with an underactive thyroid gland:

Mental Health Issues

Believe it or not, your physical well-being can affect your mental health. In the early stages of Hashimoto’s, you may experience depression. Unfortunately, the feeling of depression can increase over time.

Hashimoto’s may also cause low libido in both men and women. As a result, a lack of sexual desire can trigger decreased mental function.

Goiter

When your thyroid is constantly stimulated, it releases hormones that could make the gland become enlarged. This condition is known as goiter. Hypothyroidism is one of the most common triggers of goiters, but usually, they’re not painful or uncomfortable.

However, a big goiter can hinder your appearance and may also affect your ability to breathe and swallow.

Myxedema

This condition is rare and life-threatening. It develops as a result of long-term hypothyroidism. It happens due to not treating Hashimoto’s disease.

Some of the most common signs of this condition include drowsiness, deep lethargy, and unconsciousness.

Exposure to the cold, infections, sedatives, and other bodily stresses can trigger a myxedema coma. This is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.

Heart Issues

Hashimoto’s is associated with an increased risk of heart disease. This is due to high levels of low-intensity lipoprotein cholesterol that often occur in individuals with an underactive thyroid. When hypothyroidism is untreated, it could lead to an enlarged heart and heart failure.

Birth Defects

Women who get hypothyroidism because of Hashimoto’s disease are at a higher risk of giving birth to a child with birth defects. Not only that, but children born to women with Hashimoto’s disease are more prone to developmental and intellectual issues.

There may also be a connection between hyperthyroid pregnancy and cleft palates. Furthermore, hypothyroid pregnancies create kidney, brain, and heart problems within infants. If you are in the early stages of pregnancy or planning to get pregnant, it’s essential that you have your thyroid checked.

Risk Factors for Hashimoto’s Disease

Not only is it important to know the signs and symptoms of Hashimoto’s, but you should recognize the risk factors. Here are some of the most common factors for developing Hashimotos autoimmune disease:

Gender: If you are a woman, you are more likely to develop Hashimoto’s disease.

Heredity: You have a high risk of developing Hashimoto’s if someone in your family has a thyroid or autoimmune disease.

Other autoimmune conditions: You’re more likely to develop Hashimoto’s if you already have other autoimmune conditions. Illnesses like lupus, type 1 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis increase your risk of developing the condition.

Age: You can get Hashimoto’s at any age, but the closer you are to middle age, the more likely the disease becomes.

Radiation exposure: Individuals who’ve been exposed to high levels of environmental radiation are also prone to developing Hashimoto’s disease.

If any of these risk factors apply to you, speak to your doctor.

Identifying the Signs and Symptoms of Hashimoto’s

When you understand the signs and symptoms of Hashimoto’s, then you’ll have a better chance of getting a handle on the condition early. If you are experiencing any of the signs mentioned above, it’s important that you speak to your doctor immediately. They can run tests on you to verify whether your symptoms are related to your thyroid.

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