Hashimoto’s disease, also called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, is an autoimmune condition. It affects your thyroid, a small gland at the front of your neck below your voice box.

With this condition, your immune system damages your thyroid tissues, causing inflammation. This leads to hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, where the gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. Some people with Hashimoto’s disease develop an enlarged thyroid (goiter).

Your thyroid affects many of your body functions, so this condition can impact how you feel and your quality of life.

Hashimoto’s disease happens when your immune system makes antibodies that destroy thyroid tissue. Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disorder, and the cause is usually unknown.

Certain things may trigger immune system changes that lead to Hashimoto’s disease. Possible triggers include radiation exposure, stress and viral infections.

There are factors that increase your risk of developing Hashimoto’s disease. These include: 

Your provider will ask about your health history and symptoms and feel your throat to see if your thyroid is enlarged. You may need tests such as:

• Blood tests to check your thyroid hormone levels and look for elevated thyroid antibodies.
• Thyroid ultrasound to look for signs of inflammation in your thyroid, check its size and look for thyroid nodules (growths). 

Our endocrinologists specialize in treating people with multiple autoimmune conditions. We work closely with your other providers to understand all of your health needs and personalize your treatment.

Your treatment depends on how severe your condition is. If you have Hashimoto’s but you have not developed clinical hypothyroidism, you may not need treatment.

Medication

The main treatment for Hashimoto’s disease is a synthetic (man-made) form of T4 thyroid hormone. The generic name of this drug is levothyroxine. You will need to take this medication every day for the rest of your life, but you may need adjustments to your dose over time.