Hashimotos' Disease                                            

Hashimoto's Disease is an autoantibody disease resulting in autoantibodies targeting the thyroid gland. These autoantibodies bind to the thyroid tissue and cause inflammation and influx of leukocytes into the thyroid gland.  The influx of immune cells causes the thyroid gland to swell and impairs thyroid hormone production and secretion, which results in hypothyroidism.  


Clinical Signs and Symptoms:

Low Throid Hormone levels (T4 and T3)

Goiter

Fatigued and weight gain

Increased Thyroid Stimulating Hormone levels


Diagnosis and Treatment:

Hormone level testing, antibody testing, hormone stimulation

Treatment involves hormone replacement therapy, removal of thyroid

Credit: Tiffany Landis