Thyroiditis (thy-roi-DY-tiss) is inflammation, or swelling, of the thyroid.
There are several types of thyroiditis, one of which is Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
What are other types and symptoms of thyroiditis?
Postpartum thyroiditis
Like Hashimoto's thyroiditis, postpartum thyroiditis seems to be caused by a
problem with the immune system. In the United States, postpartum thyroiditis
occurs in about 5 to 10 percent of women. The first phase starts 1 to 4 months
after giving birth. In this phase, you may get symptoms of hyperthyroidism
because the damaged thyroid is leaking thyroid hormones out into the
bloodstream. The second phase starts about 4 to 8 months after delivery. In this
phase, you may get symptoms of hypothyroidism because, by this time, the thyroid
has lost most of its hormones. Not everyone with postpartum thyroiditis goes
through both phases. In most women who have postpartum thyroiditis, thyroid
function returns to normal within 12 to 18 months after symptoms start.
Risk factors for postpartum thyroiditis include having:
Having had postpartum thyroiditis after a previous pregnancy
Silent or painless thyroiditis
Symptoms are the same as in postpartum thyroiditis, but they are not related
to having given birth.
Subacute thyroiditis
Symptoms are the same as in postpartum and silent thyroiditis, but the
inflammation in the thyroid leads to pain in the neck, jaw, or ear. Unlike the
other types of thyroiditis, subacute thyroiditis may be caused by an infection.
SOURCE: U.S. Womenshealth.gov. "Thyroid Disease." ≶http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/thyroid-disease.cfm#h>
Hypothyroidism is any state in which thyroid hormone production is below normal. Normally, the
rate of thyroid hormone production is controlled by the brain at the pituitary.
Hypothyroidism is a very common condition and the symptoms of hypothyroidism are
often subtle.
Hyperthyroidism is an excess of thyroid hormone resulting from an overactive thyroid gland. Symptoms can include increased heart rate, weight
loss, depression, and cognitive slowing. Treatment is by medication, the use of
radioactive iodine, thyroid surgery, or reducing the dose of thyroid hormone.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the US. This conditions is caused by inflammation of the thyroid gland. Symptoms may include: fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, excessive sleepiness, dry or coarse hair, difficulty swallowing, a lump in the front of the throat, and many more. Treatment is usually hypothyroid medication.
There are many types of thyroid disease. Some occur due to the function of the thyroid itself such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, etc. Some causes of thyroid disease occur due to problems with the structure of the thyroid gland such as goiters, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer. Treatment of thyroid disease depends on the cause of the disease.
Hypothyroidism during pregnancy can be treated with synthetic thyroid hormones to maintain the proper thyroid hormone balance. Hypothyroidism symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, lethargy, and constipation. Treatment of hypothyroidism in pregnant women is important, because inadequate levels of thyroid hormones may affect the fetus, and child during growth and development.
Stiff-Person syndrome is a neurological disorder associated with features of an autoimmune disease. Signs and symptoms of Stiff-Person syndrome include a heightened sensitivity to stimuli (noise, touch, emotional distress) and fluctuating muscle rigidity of the trunk and limbs. Conditions associated with Stiff-Person syndrome include thyroiditis, vitiligo, pernicious anemia, and diabetes. Treatment for Stiff-Person syndrome is generally medication to control symptoms.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the
United States. It is named after the first doctor who described this condition,
Dr. Hakaru Hashimoto, in 1912.
What causes Hashimoto's thyroiditis?
Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a condition caused by inflammation of the
thyroid gland. It is an
autoimmune disease, which means that the body inappropriately attacks the thyroid
gland--as if it was foreign tissue. The underlying cause of the autoimmune
process still is unknown. Hashimoto's thyroiditis tends to occur in families, and is
associated with a clustering of other autoimmune conditions such as Type 1
diabetes, and celiac disease. Hashimoto's
thyroiditis is 5-10 times more common in women
than in men and most often starts in adulthood. Blood drawn from patients with
Hashimoto's throiditis reveals an increased number of antibodies to the enzyme, thyroid
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