Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder, is a common cause of hypothyroidism.
If you’re experiencing unexplained weight gain, hair loss, and fatigue, it could be due to hypothyroidism, a condition where your body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones. This causes a slowdown in metabolism.
One of the leading causes of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder. But how do you know if your hypothyroid symptoms are being caused by Hashimoto’s or another factor, such as low iodine or certain medications?
Here are some signs and symptoms to watch out for in each case.
Hypothyroidism is a medical condition characterized by an underactive thyroid gland. The thyroid gland, located in the front of the neck, is responsible for producing two essential hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
These hormones play an important role in regulating your body’s metabolism, energy production, and the functioning of organs and tissues.
In hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland fails to produce sufficient T4 and T3 hormones, resulting in a slowdown of your metabolism. This can lead to imbalances in the body’s functions, affecting your overall health and well-being.
Hypothyroidism is fairly common, affecting about
Hypothyroidism symptoms
The symptoms of hypothyroidism may include:
- fatigue and weakness
- unexplained weight gain
- difficulty losing weight
- sensitivity to cold
- constipation
- dry skin and hair
- hair loss
- muscle aches and weakness
- joint pain
- depression and mood changes
- impaired memory and concentration
- irregular menstrual periods in people assigned female at birth
- hoarseness
- thyroid nodules (lumps in the thyroid gland)
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland. It’s the
In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, leading to inflammation and gradual destruction of thyroid tissue. As a result, the thyroid gland may become enlarged (known as a goiter) and loses its ability to produce sufficient thyroid hormones, including T4 and T3.
Hashimoto’s symptoms
The symptoms of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can vary widely and may develop gradually over time.
Many symptoms of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are due to hypothyroidism:
- fatigue and weakness
- unexplained weight gain
- difficulty losing weight
- sensitivity to cold
- constipation
- dry skin
- hair loss
- muscle aches and weakness
- joint pain
- irregular menstrual periods
- depression or mood changes
- difficulty concentrating
- thyroid nodules
Here are some additional symptoms that may be more specific to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis:
- Fluctuating thyroid hormone levels: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can cause thyroid hormone levels to fluctuate over time, leading to periods of hyperthyroidism (increased thyroid hormone levels) followed by hypothyroidism (decreased thyroid hormone levels).
- Positive autoimmune antibodies: Blood tests can detect specific antibodies, such as anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-Tg) antibodies, which are typically present in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis but not in all cases of hypothyroidism.
- Early goiter swelling: Initially, the thyroid gland may be enlarged (goiter) due to the immune system’s attack on the tissue, but over time, the gland’s function may decline, leading to hypothyroidism. Goiter can also occur in non-autoimmune types of hypothyroidism, but it’s less common.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition that can lead to hypothyroidism.
However, hypothyroidism can be caused by other factors, including low iodine intake, certain medications, radiation therapy, or thyroid gland removal.
What are the main differences between hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s
Hypothyroidism is a broad medical condition that refers to an underactive thyroid gland, resulting in insufficient production of thyroid hormones. It can have various causes, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, certain medications, radiation therapy, thyroid gland removal, or an iodine deficiency (globally).
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, on the other hand, is a specific cause of hypothyroidism and is characterized by an autoimmune attack on the thyroid gland.
Importantly, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is distinguished by the presence of specific antibodies in the blood, such as anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-Tg) antibodies. These antibodies don’t occur in non-autoimmune hypothyroidism.
However, a small proportion (
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can be misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed in some cases.
There are several reasons for this:
- Gradual onset: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can have a gradual onset, and its early stages may not show obvious symptoms, leading to delayed recognition or misdiagnosis.
- Fluctuating thyroid hormones: Some individuals with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may experience fluctuating thyroid hormone levels, leading to periods of hyperthyroidism before eventually progressing to hypothyroidism.
- Non-specific symptoms: Symptoms of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, like fatigue, weight gain, and hair loss, can be vague and similar to other health issues, leading to misdiagnosis or delayed identification of the underlying cause.
- Symptom overlap: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can share symptoms with other thyroid disorders or autoimmune diseases, making it challenging to differentiate without proper testing.
- Subclinical Hashimoto’s: In some cases, individuals with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may have standard thyroid hormone levels, leading to a condition known as subclinical Hashimoto’s.
To differentiate Hashimoto’s from other types of hypothyroidism, healthcare professionals consider symptoms, thyroid function tests, antibody testing, and ultrasound findings.
The treatments for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and hypothyroidism are similar in that both conditions involve low thyroid hormone levels, but there are some differences:
- Hypothyroidism treatment: Hypothyroidism, regardless of its cause, is primarily treated with hormone replacement therapy using synthetic thyroid hormones, usually levothyroxine. The goal is to restore standard thyroid hormone levels in the body.
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis treatment: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder, is treated with hormone replacement therapy using levothyroxine, similar to hypothyroidism. However, managing the autoimmune aspect may involve monitoring thyroid antibodies, considering selenium supplementation, making healthy lifestyle changes, and, in some cases, a gluten-free diet.
Hypothyroidism is a common condition with symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and dry skin, caused by insufficient thyroid hormone production. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder, is a common cause, but low iodine intake or certain medications can also lead to hypothyroidism.
If you think you may have hypothyroidism, consider reaching out to a healthcare professional to get a proper diagnosis. They can perform tests, identify the cause, and develop a personalized management plan to improve your quality of life.
