The most prominent symptoms of Hashimoto's disease, which is called "Tired bride disease" or "Lazy bride disease" in Anatolia, are complaints of weakness, exhaustion, easy fatigue, forgetfulness, drowsiness, and weight gain despite eating less. Brides who have Hashimoto's disease but whose disease is not recognized, are labeled as lazy brides or tired brides due to these symptoms and experience serious problems in their marriages. Since their disease cannot be diagnosed and they cannot express themselves, they are caught in the middle of arguments and may even lose their marriage. This has caused Hashimoto's disease to be given names such as tired bride disease or lazy bride disease in Anatolia.
Incidence: In recent years, we have heard its name more frequently. Hashimoto's disease, which we started with, is a disease mostly seen in women. Its incidence in the population is approximately 10%. It is 10-15 times more common in women than in men. It is most common between the ages of 30-35. Its incidence is slightly higher in regions richer in iodine. So it is not related to iodine deficiency. Since there is a tendency for genetic transmission, the incidence increases in those with a family history of Hashimoto's disease.
Mechanism of formation of the disease: Hashimoto's disease (chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis) occurs as a result of the deterioration of the body's immune system. It is a thyroid disease. It was described by a Japanese doctor named Hakaru Hashimoto in 1912 and is named after him. In this disease, due to the disorder in the immune system, the body perceives its own thyroid tissue as foreign tissue and begins to fight to destroy it. Lymphocytes invade thyroid cells. Anti-TPO antibodies and anti-TG antibodies, formed by lymphocyte invasion, bind to thyroid cells and cause destruction of thyroid cells. Depending on the rate of damage to the cells, permanent thyroid hormone deficiency (hypothyroidism) may develop.
Due to the thyroid hormones released from the ruptured thyroid cells in the early stages of Hashimoto's disease, blood thyroid hormone levels may increase slightly and a temporary hyperthyroidism situation may develop. Then thyroid gland cells slowly Due to gradual damage, the patient loses its function and becomes unable to secrete hormones. As a result, hypothyroidism occurs. Symptoms of the disease occur due to the slowdown of metabolism due to hypothyroidism.
Symptoms of the disease: Weakness, drowsiness, forgetfulness, reluctance, depressed mood, easy fatigue, loss of appetite and weight despite eating less. It is quite rich and diverse, such as fever, intolerance to cold, deepening of voice, constipation, muscle and joint pain, slowing of heart beat, numbness in hands and feet, dry skin, hair loss, menstrual irregularity. However, not all of these symptoms are seen in the early stages of Hashimoto's disease. Most often, patients only complain of weakness and reluctance. Since the disease progresses slowly and over a long period of time and these symptoms are also seen in other diseases, it may not be easily diagnosed. The most important feature of the disease is that it progressively decreases the quality of life.
How is it diagnosed? Especially in women with a family history of thyroid disease, they experience long-lasting fatigue, weakness, inability to lose weight and constant depression. It is recommended that they consult a doctor. Diagnosis can be made more easily in patients with all the symptoms together. In addition, the disease can be diagnosed earlier in patients who have regular health checks and check-ups. Hypothyroidism is suspected, investigated and diagnosed by detecting hypothyroidism in hormone tests performed for screening purposes. In the analysis, T3 and T4 hormone levels are found to be low and TSH level is high. Anti-TPO is high in 85% of patients.
Treatment in Hashimoto's disease: If the patient's thyroid hormones (T3, T4) are normal, there is no need for thyroid hormone treatment. Thyroid hormone therapy is started in patients with low T3 and T4 levels and high TSH levels. The levothyroxine dose to be given is the dose required to keep the TSH level within normal limits. This dose should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach.
Read: 0
