Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) is also known as chronic lymphocytic or autoimmune thyroiditis (AITD). It was first described in 1912 by Dr. Hakaru Hashimoto, after whom it is named.
It falls within the spectrum of chronic autoimmune diseases of the thyroid gland and is associated with hypothyroidism and the production of thyroid autoantibodies, the most common of which are antibodies against thyroid peroxidase (TPO-Ab) and antibodies against thyroglobulin (Tg-Ab).
Lymphocytic infiltration of the thyroid gland is also frequently observed.
Regular follow-up with an endocrinologist is required to properly regulate thyroid function and treat hypothyroidism promptly, if necessary. At the Care Medic clinic, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and its potential complications are diagnosed, treated, and monitored as appropriate.
The prevalence depends on age (it occurs most frequently between the ages of 45 and 55), gender (4 to 10 times more common in women than in men), and race (more common among Caucasians). Factors such as alcohol, stress, pregnancy, and the use of medications—e.g., iodine, interferon, immunomodulators such as ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, nivolumab, and the humanized monoclonal antibody alemtuzumab directed against CD52 may trigger the development of the disease in genetically predisposed individuals. The exact mechanism of progressive thyroid tissue destruction is unclear. Nevertheless, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is considered an autoimmune disorder caused by the interaction of genes and environmental factors.
In most cases, lifelong administration of levothyroxine (LT4) is required, with occasional dose adjustments to achieve normal levels of thyrotropin (TSH). In some cases, selenium may also be prescribed. Hypothyroidism may coexist with other conditions affecting specific organs (e.g., pernicious anemia, vitiligo, celiac disease, type 1 diabetes mellitus, autoimmune liver disease, primary biliary cirrhosis, myasthenia gravis, alopecia areata, multiple sclerosis, Addison’s disease), as well as with systemic diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren’s syndrome, systemic sclerosis, mixed connective tissue disease).
The diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is based on a combination of clinical signs, the presence of serum antibodies, and a thyroid ultrasound. Thyroid uptake of radioactive iodine and cytological examination following fine-needle aspiration biopsy are used less frequently.