Hashimoto's disease

There is no cure for Hashimoto’s Disease. It has no symptoms, no clues, that it has invaded your body until you have a thyroid test. The thyroid gland is the object of its relentless attack.

Hashimoto’s Disease is a disorder of the body’s autoimmune system. The body produces red blood cells and white blood cells which help protect the body against viruses and other unwanted intrusions. When someone has Hashimoto’s Disease, the body begins to create antibodies which damage the thyroid gland.

The thyroid gland is a small gland at the base of the neck. It produces many hormones that keep many bodily functions running smoothly. When the antibodies produced by Hashimoto’s Disease begin to attack it, the thyroid stops making these essential hormones. This is when the pituitary gland steps in. It tries to stimulate the thyroid to produce more hormones. This stimulation causes the thyroid to enlarge. The inflammation caused by Hashimoto’s Disease and the enlargement by the stimulation of the pituitary gland leads to hypothyroidism, or a condition known as an under active thyroid.

It is difficult to diagnose Hashimoto’s Disease as the symptoms are only those of an under active thyroid. The trouble with those symptoms is that they resemble many bodily characteristics that begin to arise simply as we age.

Symptoms of under active thyroid caused by Hashimoto’s Disease are generally ignored at least when they start. This disease may be silently assaulting the thyroid for years before it is discovered. Many experience signs such as fatigue or sluggishness. Other mid life symptoms like achy, tender or stiff joints go unchecked. Muscle weakness, especially in the lower portions of the body, are thought of as a normal part of aging.

Females may experience excessive bleeding during their menstrual cycle but think it is only a pre-menopausal symptom instead. Elevated levels of cholesterol are not uncommon as we age. It is also not unusual to find that they are more sensitive to cold temperatures.

These are all symptoms of hypothyroidism. So are things like unexplained weight gain, hoarseness in the voice and even constipation. Then there are also some more visible unexplainable signs of thyroid trouble such as, a puffy face, dry skin and constipation.

Once hypothyroidism is discovered, it is easily and effectively treated using thyroid hormone replacement. The severity of the symptoms will depend on the level of depravity of hormones the body needs. Without treatment, the gland becomes overly enlarged and though processes are slowed. The victim of Hashimoto’s Disease may become depressed or extremely forgetful.

Hashimoto’s Disease has no definite symptoms.  It is an autoimmune disorder that causes the body’s antibodies to attack the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland stops producing hormones that are essential for other body systems to retain balance and work properly. As Hashimoto’s Disease continues to damage the thyroid, the body begins to show symptoms of hypothyroidism, or an under active thyroid.

As the immune system attacks the thyroid it begins to inflame. When it ceases producing enough hormones the pituitary gland tries to stimulate it to produce more hormones. This causes the thyroid to enlarge even more.

Hashimoto’s Disease is a silent illness because it may be years before the true effects are obvious. It is a very slow progression that can cause much harm to the thyroid gland.  The inflammation of the thyroid that is caused by the disease goes unnoticed simply because the symptoms are the same types of signs we experience simply because we age.

Some of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism are things like achy or tender joints, fatigue, or even constipation. Since Hashimoto’s Disease usually hits about mid life, the same time as signs of aging set in, they are not taken seriously by those afflicted with this disease.

Other symptoms to watch for include an increased sensitivity to cold temperatures, elevated cholesterol levels, depression and unexplained weight gain. There are a few easily discernable symptoms. These are visible signs like a puffy face or pale, dry skin. The audible signal that there is a thyroid problem is a chronic hoarse voice. Women may also experience excessive bleeding during their monthly periods. Many people who suffer from hypothyroidism develop a muscle weakness. This is usually only in the lower muscles of the body.

The thyroid gland is at the base of the neck. In extreme cases the gland swells enough to be visible. The inflamed thyroid shows up as a goiter. This is a rare occurrence. The severity of the symptoms depend upon the extent of the hormone deficiency.

Once the thyroid sends out the distress signal and Hashimoto’s disease is discovered, it is relatively easy to treat. Thyroid hormone replacement is a treatment that is simple and effective. The solution is relatively easy; it is the diagnosis which is difficult to reach. Although the thyroid begins to send signals to the rest of the body Hashimoto’s disease is silent and has no warning signs other than those of the under active thyroid.

Hashimoto’s Disease seems to have little to do with the function of the thyroid. This disease is actually a disorder of the autoimmune system. The immune system creates antibodies that are meant to keep the body safe from viruses and other intrusions. These antibodies, which are white and red blood cells fight off viruses and protect the body. With Hashimoto’s Disease the antibodies attack the thyroid and the result is hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism is an under active thyroid. This gland is part of the body’s endocrine system and provides hormones to keep other functions operating properly. Many of the body’s activities are coordinated or maintained by the hormones created by the thyroid gland. When the thyroid stops producing these necessary hormones, the pituitary gland tries to stimulate it. This causes the thyroid to enlarge.

Hashimoto’s Disease has no direct symptoms but hypothyroidism can display many. As the thyroid stops producing essential hormones the body starts sending different signals to let you know that all systems are not functioning normally. The symptoms vary widely based on the severity of the deficiency level of hormones. Hashimoto’s Disease progresses slowly over several years. This can cause much damage to the thyroid gland, especially since it can go unnoticed for such a long period of time.

As hypothyroidism begins to display itself it is many times dismissed as simply aging naturally. Some of the most common symptoms displayed by hypothyroidism (caused by Hashimoto’s Disease) are also typical with maturing in general. For instance, aching joints, specifically hips and shoulders, are common with both hypothyroidism and aging. The tenderness and stiffness of these joints are accepted as we age and cause no alarm in general. Other symptoms missed are fatigue or sluggishness. Our hectic schedules or age may catch the blame rather than looking for a deeper cause.

Other symptoms of hyperthyroidism caused by Hashimoto’s Disease are an increased sensitivity to cold temperatures, excessive weight gain and muscle weakness, particularly in the lower extremities of the body. One might notice a puffy face, dry skin or a hoarse voice. Depression is common with an under active thyroid condition as is constipation and an elevated cholesterol level.

There is no treatment for Hashimoto’s Disease; but thyroid hormone treatment will ease the symptoms of hypothyroidism. It is usually very effective and relatively simple. Most cases exerience improvement and success. A quick trip to the doctor can expose the existence of Hashimoto’s Disease and relieve the symptoms that are caused by hypothyroidism.

Hashimoto’s Disease is not easy to find. There are rarely any direct symptoms of the disease, although the damage it causes to the thyroid does bear several distinct symptoms. The severity of the symptoms will vary depending on the effect Hashimoto’s disease has had on the thyroid.

Since Hashimoto’s Disease is an autoimmune disorder it is not easily identifiable. It is the under active thyroid, or hypothyroidism, that is first noticed. Basically when someone has Hashimoto’s Disease the body’s immune system makes antibodies which damage the thyroid gland. Generally, the antibodies are generated in the body to fight viruses and other intruders. However, Hashimoto’s Disease is a disorder and an imbalance in the system and the immune system attacks the thyroid gland in the process.

The thyroid gland produces many hormones. The delicate balance of hormones produced keeps the body functioning properly. As the antibodies attack the thyroid it stops making the proper hormones to keep the system balanced and working. It becomes under active. When the thyroid does not perform properly, other parts of the endocrine system kick in and try to help it out. The pituitary gland begins to stimulate the thyroid to encourage it to create more hormones. This causes the thyroid to enlarge. Sometimes tit is so large that it becomes a goiter that is visible.

Hashimoto’s Disease progresses very slowly over years and causes much damage to the thyroid. This chronic damage is what the symptoms indicate. Many times these signs of hypothyroidism are the indication of the seriousness of Hashimoto’s Disease. By the time it is diagnosed the damage has been done. One good note is that once it is found it is easy to treat. Simple hormone replacement reduces symptoms.

The symptoms of an under active thyroid gland may go unnoticed or disregarded due to age as the onset is usually about mid life. Fatigue or sluggishness are some of the more common symptoms. Unexplained weight gain, muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness also begin around mid life and are many times attributed to aging. These are also symptoms of hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto’s disease.

Other symptoms may also include things such as an elevated cholesterol level or unexplained weight gain. There may be frequent bouts with depression or be more sensitive to cold temperatures. A puffy face, dry or scaly skin and a hoarse voice are also clues that there is something wrong with the thyroid.

Experiencing two or more of the symptoms listed above is good reason to check with a doctor. A simple thyroid test can tell whether or not there is the presence of Hashimoto’s Disease.

Hashimoto’s Disease is very difficult to diagnose. It is a disorder in the immune system. It causes the body’s immune system to attack the thyroid gland. In response to this assault, the thyroid stops making essential hormones that the body needs to function. This state of an under active thyroid is called hypothyroidism.

This ill effect on the thyroid gland is a direct result of Hashimoto’s Disease which has no clear symptoms. However, there are several symptoms that are characteristic of hypothyroidism. The trouble with detecting this disorder of the immune system is that the same symptoms are similar to some of the ways the body tends to react to aging.

Hashimoto’s Disease hits somewhere around mid life, this means that several of the signals your body sends to alert you to a problem may go unnoticed. Fatigue or sluggishness may be shrugged off as being a sign of being too busy. When the doctor reports an elevated cholesterol level, it is thought to be the result of a poor diet. The achy shoulders and hips are also dismissed and assumed this new tenderness or stiffness is a discomfort because of age. But these are all signs of hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto’s Disease.

The only symptom of Hashimoto’s Disease is a thyroid which is not functioning properly. There is a certain amount of inflammation of the thyroid caused by this disease. To complicate an already serious situation the pituitary gland tries to stimulate the thyroid’s hormone production. This attempt causes even more enlargement of the thyroid gland. In extreme cases the thyroid swells enough to be seen with the naked eye. It appears as a goiter just at the front of the base of the neck.

There are several other signs of hypothyroidism. Some may become constipated, be a lot more sensitive to temperatures that are cold, or have an unexplained sudden weight gain. Visible signs of thyroid trouble are a puffiness of the face, pale skin and muscle weakness. This weakness is in large muscles and usually only through the lower parts of the body. You may notice having a hoarse voice a lot of the time.  Women may have more than usual bleeding during their periods.

The symptoms of hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto’s Disease can be treated. It is simple to treat. Hormone replacement treatments are effective in the relief of the symptoms. If you experience two or more of these symptoms consider a visit to the doctor and request a thyroid test to eliminate or confirm the possibility of hypothyroidism brought on by Hashimoto’s Disease.