Hashimoto’s disease

Diagnosis

The symptoms and signs associated with Hashimoto’s disease can be caused by various other illnesses. Therefore, to make an accurate diagnosis, your doctor will conduct a thorough physical examination, review your medical history, and ask questions about your symptoms if you are experiencing any.

Testing thyroid function

Your doctor will request blood tests that might include the following to evaluate whether hypothyroidism is the root of your symptoms:

• TSH test. The pituitary gland creates TSH, or thyroid stimulating hormone. TSH is sent to the thyroid to cause an increase in thyroid hormone production when the pituitary detects low levels of thyroid hormones in the blood. A high blood TSH level is a sign of hypothyroidism.
• T-4 tests. Thyroxine (T-4) is the primary thyroid hormone. A low blood level of T-4 supports the results of a TSH test and suggests that the thyroid itself is the source of the issue.

Antibody tests

Hypothyroidism can be caused by a variety of medical conditions. Your doctor will ask for an antibody test to see if Hashimoto’s disease is the root of your hypothyroidism.

An antibody’s primary function is to alert other immune system players to invading pathogens that must be eliminated. When a person has an autoimmune condition, their immune system makes errant antibodies that attack the body’s proteins or healthy cells.

Thyroid peroxidase (TPO), a protein that is crucial for the production of thyroid hormone, is typically the target of an immune system antibody in Hashimoto’s disease. TPO antibodies are typically present in the blood of Hashimoto’s disease patients. It may be necessary to perform laboratory tests for other antibodies linked to Hashimoto’s illness.

Treatment

The primary treatment for hypothyroidism in patients with Hashimoto’s disease is medication. However, if you have mild hypothyroidism, you may not require therapy, although it is still recommended to undergo frequent TSH testing to monitor your thyroid hormone levels.

T-4 hormone replacement therapy

Levothyroxine (Levoxyl, Synthroid, etc.) is a synthetic hormone used to treat hypothyroidism brought on by Hashimoto’s disease. The synthetic hormone functions similarly to the thyroid’s own naturally occurring T-4 hormone.

The purpose of treatment is to improve hypothyroidism symptoms and restore and maintain appropriate T-4 hormone levels. For the rest of your life, you will require this treatment.

Monitoring the dosage

Levothyroxine dosage will be determined by your healthcare professional based on your age, weight, level of thyroid production, other medical conditions, and other considerations. About 6 to 10 weeks later, your doctor will recheck your TSH levels and, if required, change the dosage.

Once the appropriate dosage has been established, you will continue taking the medication once a day. It is recommended to undergo follow-up TSH testing annually or whenever your doctor adjusts your dosage. The optimal time to take levothyroxine is in the morning, just before breakfast. If you have any concerns about the administration or timing of your medication, consult your doctor. Inquire with your doctor about what to do if you miss a dosage. If your health insurance mandates a switch to a generic or different brand of medication, discuss this with your doctor.