Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Prevention

This time in our Health by Numbers/Medical Tests series, Dr Shital Patel takes a look at our electrolyte levels in our blood. An electrolyte imbalance, commonly caused by loss of body fluids through prolonged vomiting, diarrhoea, sweating or high fever, can result in various health disorders, like restlessness, anxiety, kidney diseases or even cardiac arrest. An Electrolyte Panel is a blood test that measures the common minerals in the body such as sodium, calcium, chloride, magnesium,…

The thyroid gland is fundamental to the functioning of several organs such as kidneys, liver, brain, heart and even skin.  Dr Shital Patel explains the common types and causes of thyroid disorders. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland at the lower-front part of the neck, just below the Adam’s apple. It is an endocrine gland made up of two lobes connected by a isthmus. It is responsible for the secretion of thyroid hormones which regulates body processes such as respiration, body…

There is no known method to preventing this condition. But if you do observe any of the symptoms or have any risk factors, you are advised to seek early diagnosis and treatment.  

Her many symptoms – among them exhaustion and weight gain – were ascribed to age and pre-menopause. Alpa Shah, now 42, talks about her eventual diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and the dietary changes that brought her life back on track. Please tell us a bit about your condition. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. This is an autoimmune disorder in which the thyroid is attacked by the body’s immune system. I developed a ‘leaky gut’ and could not digest certain ingredients. Later,…

Other associated diseases  Patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and their genetically connected relations are at increased risk of developing the following disorders:  Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (insulin-requiring)  Graves’ disease (goiter and hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid)  Rheumatoid arthritis  Pernicious anaemia (inability to absorb vitamin B12, potentially causing anaemia and neurologic problems)  Addison’s disease (adrenal failure; the adrenal gland…

In addition to the various treatment options, lifestyle changes are also recommended: Diet: Having the right amount of iodine is important for thyroid hormone production. And too little is the most common cause of hypothyroid problems worldwide. But iodine supplementation is not the answer in Hashimoto’s disease. In fact, it worsens the condition. What you need is a healthy diet with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats to build strength. Eating three healthy…

Medication Hashimoto’s thyroiditis responds well to treatment. It is treated with a single daily tablet of levothyroxine. This is a man-made form of T4 thyroid hormone. It is also called thyroid replacement therapy because it restores back to normal the T4 that the damaged thyroid can no longer make. It usually needs to be taken for the rest of a person’s life. Follow-up treatment After you start your medication, you will need a follow-up TSH test so your doctor can fine-tune your dose. The…

What tests do you need to have done The doctor will conduct some of the following:  Physical examination to identify goiter and other physical signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism.  Laboratory tests may check the following: Antithyroid Antibodies: These are proteins produced by our immune system that destroy thyroid tissue. Increased antithyroid antibodies provide the most specific laboratory evidence of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, but they are not present in all cases.  TSH (…

Symptoms Many people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis have no symptoms for years. An enlarged thyroid, called a goiter, is often the first sign of disease. The goiter may cause the front of the neck to look swollen. If large, it may cause a feeling of fullness in the throat or make it hard to swallow. It rarely causes pain. Hashimoto’s disease progresses slowly, leading to a drop in thyroid hormones. Symptoms of an underactive thyroid include: Fatigue  (a state of physical and/or mental…

Are you at risk of getting Hashimoto’s disease?  Many factors are thought to play a role in causing Hashimoto’s disease. These include: Genes: Family members may have Hashimoto’s disease or other autoimmune diseases. Gender: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is 7 times more common in women than men. Pregnancy: Pregnancy affects the thyroid. Some women have thyroid problems after having a baby, which usually go away. But about 20 percent of these women develop Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in later years…