Hashimoto's Disease
Hashimoto's disease, named after the Japanese doctor who first described it, is a disease of the thyroid gland. If your doctor has told you that you have Hashimoto's disease (or chronic autoimmune or lymphocytic thyroiditis), it means that your thyroid gland is being attacked by your immune system. Over time, you may become hypothyroid because you may not have enough normal thyroid cells left to make the amount of thyroid hormone that your body needs to work properly.
Normally, your immune system fights infections. It does this by distinguishing between cells that are part of your body, like your heart and muscle cells, and cells that are foreign to your body, like viruses and bacteria. When these foreign cells enter your body, your immune system sends out its own protector cells, as well as substances called antibodies, to attack and damage the foreign cells.
What happens in Hashimoto's disease is that your immune system starts sending protector cells to your thyroid gland because it mistakenly identifies the thyroid gland as if it is a transplant from another person. This is called an autoimmune condition, which simply means that your immune system is attacking your own cells. In an autoimmune condition, your immune system continues to act just like it's fighting something foreign. In the case of Hashimoto's disease, your immune system produces protector cells and antibodies against your thyroid cells. The presence of thyroid antibodies in the blood is important because it is a strong indication that you have Hashimoto's disease and that you may become hypothyroid, if you are not already.
Treatment of Hashimoto's Disease
As a rule, treatment for hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto's disease should be individualized for every patient. Each treatment decision requires consideration of your general health, as well as all the other medications you currently take. Let your doctor know your past health history, any surgeries or procedures you have undergone, and any medications that you have taken in the past and are taking presently.