The most common cause of thyroid hormone deficiency (hypothyroidism) in the world is iodine deficiency. In regions without iodine deficiency, Hashimoto's disease is the main cause of spontaneous thyroid hormone deficiency. The prevalence of Hashimoto's disease worldwide is between one and three per thousand. This disease was first described in 1912 by Hakaru Hashimoto, a Japanese doctor working in Germany. For this reason, it is known as Hashimoto (Turkish pronunciation Hashimoto) disease.
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located just below the protrusion known as the Adam's Apple in our neck. This organ is included in the system of hormone-secreting organs and its duty is to produce thyroid hormone as needed and release it into the blood. Thyroid hormone plays a vital role in regulating metabolic events (sweating, skin lubrication, heart rate, body speed, bowel function, mental activity, etc.) for the harmonious functioning of the body. Although thyroid tissue is a part of the body, the body considers thyroid tissue as foreign due to a disorder in the immune system. As a result, the organism excludes this organ and tries to eliminate it from the body. Thyroid tissue tries to hold on to its location and do its job. Because of this struggle, an inflammatory reaction occurs in the thyroid tissue and the organ is damaged. As cell destruction increases, more thyroid hormone enters the blood. Hyperthyroidism (excess thyroid hormone) occurs due to excessively increased thyroid hormone.
In this type of hyperthyroidism clinic called hashitoxicosis, symptoms of toxic goiter, popularly known as toxic goiter, are observed, such as excessive sweating, palpitations, frequent hunger and frequent eating, irritability, subtle tremors in the hands. Since these findings are temporary, antithyroid treatment that lowers thyroid hormone levels is not applied. After a while, the destruction of the thyroid gland increases and it becomes unable to perform its secretory function, that is, it cannot secrete thyroid hormone. When there is not enough thyroid hormone secretion, hypothyroidism (thyroid hormone deficiency) occurs. Insufficient thyroid hormone secretion
While the symptoms are too mild to be felt in the beginning, they begin to become more severe as time passes.
The enlargement of the thyroid gland may be noticed in the front of the neck (goiter).
Patients had unexplained weakness and fatigue. r.
All systems of the body become lazy. Sweat glands do not work, so sweating does not occur. Since the sebaceous glands do not work, the skin is dry and not oily. The intestine is lazy and constipation occurs. The heart is lazy, the number of beats per minute drops below 60 instead of 80-90. The brain becomes lazy, serious forgetfulness, slowdown in mental activities, learning difficulties, memory impairment, dizziness, dullness of gaze occur.
The face looks pale and swollen.
There is obesity unrelated to nutrition, the legs are edematous.
Muscle pain, tenderness in the shoulders and hips, knees, small joints of the hands and feet, and stiffness in joint movements may occur.
The patient is intolerant to cold and becomes extremely cold.
Other symptoms of thyroid gland failure such as menstrual disorders, difficulty in conceiving, increased cholesterol level, enlarged heart, fluid accumulation in the lungs, depression, and tendency to sleep are also present. It manifests itself..
It was stated in the lines above that Hashimoto's disease is an immune system disorder. This condition may be accompanied by some other immune system diseases such as Addison's disease (adrenal gland failure), type-I diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes), and megaloblastic anemia due to vitamin B-12 deficiency.
The diagnosis of the disease is made through the patient's complaints, examination findings, blood tests and imaging techniques. If there are nodules on the thyroid gland, a biopsy is performed. In the treatment, drugs are used to replace the thyroid hormone that is underproduced or not produced at all. The patient uses medication for life and remains under the supervision of a doctor. If the goiter is very large, it puts pressure on the vocal cords and causes hoarseness, bifurcation and hoarseness in the voice, puts pressure on the esophagus and causes difficulty in swallowing, puts pressure on the respiratory tract and causes obstruction in the airways (whistling sound or wheezing may occur).
Dear readers, I wish you a disease-free, problem-free, healthy and happy life.
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