hormonal and metabolic disorders
Hashimoto Thyroiditis
Introduction
Hashimoto thyroiditis is chronic, autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid gland. Hashimoto thyroiditis results when antibodies in the body attacks the cells of the thyroid gland—an autoimmune reaction. At first, the thyroid gland may function normally, be underactive (hypothyroidism) or, rarely, overactive (hyperthyroidism) Most people eventually develop hypothyroidism. People with hypothyroidism usually feel tired and cannot tolerate cold. The diagnosis is based on results of a physical examination and blood tests. People with hypothyroidism need to take thyroid hormone for the rest of their life. (See also Overview of the Thyroid Gland .) Thyroiditis refers to any inflammation of the thyroid gland. Inflammation of the thyroid may be caused by a viral infection or an autoimmune disorder. Hashimoto thyroiditis is the most common type of thyroiditis and the most common cause of Hypothyroidism . For unknown reasons, the body turns against itself (an In about 50% of people with Hashimoto thyroiditis, the thyroid is underactive initially. In most of the rest, the thyroid is normal at first (although in a small number of people, the gland initially becomes overactive), after which it usually becomes underactive. Some people with Hashimoto thyroiditis have other endocrine disorders, such as Diabetes Mellitus (DM) , an Hashimoto thyroiditis is most common among women, particularly older women, and tends to run in families. The condition occurs more frequently among people with certain chromosomal abnormalities, including Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21) , 