When you are diagnosed with autoimmune hypothyroidism, this is understood as a pathological condition in which thyroid hormones are synthesized in insufficient quantities. The reason for this is the reaction of the immune system, which produces antibodies to thyroid tissue, thereby destroying it. This pathology can occur both for exogenous and endogenous reasons, and its establishment requires a number of tests, as well as being under constant medical supervision.

General information about the disease

The thyroid gland is one of the most important components of humoral regulation. A deficiency of its hormones can lead to a slowdown in metabolism and reduce the activity of other glands, both internal and mixed secretion. It produces thyroxine (T4), triiodothyranine (T3) and calcitonin. Violation of their quantity, going beyond the norm become the cause of pathological conditions, often irreversible. The process of growth, development, puberty, metabolism can be disturbed. Such pathologies are of particular danger during periods of hormonal changes in the body.

This pathology was first described in 1912 by the Japanese doctor Hashimoto. Hakaru . Subsequently, the syndrome was named after him. It was this doctor who determined that lymphocytes began to be synthesized in the human body, which produced antibodies to thyroid cells. The causes of the disease at that time remained unclear.

As a result of the reaction of the immune system, the synthesis of lymphocytes begins. They actively produce antibodies that attack the thyroid gland, destroying it. As a result, the thyroid tissue is replaced by connective tissue. This leads to a decrease in the synthesis of hormones and disruption of metabolic processes, humoral balance in the body.

Pathology affects up to 4% of the world’s population. Most often it manifests itself during periods of hormonal changes. With age, the disease can occur more often, since among the population over 50 years of age, the percentage of cases increases to 50%.

At-risk groups

There are a number of factors that can contribute to the development of the disease. Their exposure does not necessarily cause autoimmune hypothyroidism, but can become provoking in the course of the onset of the disease.

• hereditary predisposition. According to statistics, among patients who were diagnosed with this pathology, in most cases the disease was observed in a family history. This indicates a possible genetic predisposition to such disorders.
• Viral diseases. Acute or chronic pathologies cause a vivid reaction of the immune system. It begins to actively produce lymphocytes and antibodies, reacting to any stimulus. Sometimes the subject of her reaction can be internal organs.
• Chronic pathologies. The presence of diseases caused by bacteria in the body also has a great impact on the immune system.
• Prolonged exposure to radiation. With systematic or simply excessive exposure, disturbances in the synthesis of nucleic acids in the body occur. As a result, cells are produced that begin to divide uncontrollably (causing cancer) or an overreaction to stimuli occurs.
• Uncontrolled intake of drugs. It is especially dangerous to take medicines containing components that are necessary for the normal functioning of the endocrine glands. One of these is radioactive iodine. Its intake increases the activity of the thyroid gland, which can cause a sharp jump in the immune response.
• Stress. One of the main “scourges” of the XXI century. Excessive psycho-emotional stress, which is accompanied by constant tension, depletes the body, exhausting all its energy resources. As a result, the activity of metabolic processes decreases, the synthesis of hormones is disrupted.
• Climax. Hormonal changes are one of the main causes of pathology. But it is worth noting that during menopause, women are often subject to the complex effects of several provoking factors at once.

Forms of the disease

There are three main forms of autoimmune hypothyroidism. They differ slightly in clinical presentation and symptoms.

latent form

It can also be called sluggish. It is characterized by the absence of violations of the functioning of the thyroid gland, but at the same time an increase in its size. Pathology quickly becomes chronic. Periodically, both signs of excess and deficiency of thyroid hormones can occur.

Hypertrophic form

It is characterized by an increase in size. At the beginning of the disease, signs of excess hormones appear, but in the later stages, symptoms of hypothyroidism develop. This usually occurs at the stage of replacing thyroid tissues with connective tissue.

atrophic form

considered the most dangerous. The size of the thyroid gland may not increase, but, on the contrary, decrease. With such a pathology, massive destruction of tissues occurs, which is the cause of the rapid progression of the disease.

Symptoms

A distinctive feature of the disease is the nonspecificity of symptoms. This leads to patients rapidly developing chronic autoimmune hypothyroidism. Therefore, if several symptoms appear at once, manifesting themselves over a long period, it is worth consulting a doctor.

The most characteristic symptoms of autoimmune hypothyroidism:

• general weakness of the body;
• increased fatigue;
• frequent mood swings;
• depression, depression;
• sleep disorders;
• violations of the menstrual cycle – its increase or the appearance of bleeding;
• dry skin and hyperkeratosis;
• weakening of hair and nails;
• arrhythmia;
• an increase in the amount of LDL in the blood;
• drops in blood pressure;
• increased swelling;
• weight gain;
• disorders of the digestive system.

It is difficult to diagnose the disease on your own – signs can also occur in other pathologies, and therefore it is enough to simply confuse this violation. Therefore, the diagnosis should be made by an experienced specialist. He will prescribe blood tests for the content of hormones and will definitely conduct an ultrasound of the thyroid gland, which displays its condition and structure.

Treatment Methods

Therapy for autoimmune hypothyroidism can be performed in 3 directions:

• symptomatic – aimed at suppressing symptoms, restoring the normal functioning of the body;
• replacement – helps to restore hormonal levels;
• surgical – used in the most extreme cases, with an excessive increase in the size of the thyroid gland or the formation of nodes.