Premium Essay

Hashimoto's Disease

In:

Submitted By stacymarie
Words 930
Pages 4
Hashimoto’s Disease
Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the production of hormones that are produced in thyroid gland. The thyroid is responsible for making the hormones called T3 and T4. These hormones are needed so that your body knows how to use energy. When a person has this autoimmune disease, their immune system has sent out the wrong information to the body. The body then produces antibodies that attack the thyroid. This can cause long term damage to the thyroid causing the thyroid to stop or to slow down production of the hormones that are needed in the body. “An underactive thyroid causes every function of the body to slow down, such as heart rate, brain function, and the rate your body turns food into energy. Hashimoto’s disease is the most common cause of an underactive thyroid.” (Women’s Health.gov).
The symptoms of this disease are very lengthy. The most common symptoms that have been reported are: fatigue, exhaustion, depression, difficulty remembering, and sensitivity to cold, weight gain, hair loss, thin hair, joint pain, tendinitis, swelling or edema, infertility, raspy or hoarse voice, allergies, chronic infections and nodules or tumors on the thyroid gland. (Shomon, 82) There are many, many symptoms that often go undiagnosed and are treated as a separate illnesses or malady. This disease is often termed as invisible because the person can appear perfectly healthy from the outside although they may be suffering from many symptoms that are not easily perceptible to others.
While it’s not known exactly what causes the production of the antibodies that attack and eventually destroy the thyroid gland, it is known that there are several factors that can contribute or that help to advance the condition: * Exposure to radiation * Overconsumption of isoflavone-intensive soy products * Overconsumption or shortage of

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Hashimoto's Disease: A Case Study

...Hashimoto’s Disease Rita Mujica I. Definition Hashimoto’s disease, also called chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is a condition in which there is inflammation of the thyroid gland as a result of the immune system attacking the gland (1, 2). Hashimoto’s disease affects women 10 times more often than men, and most often occurs between the ages of 30-50 (3). II. Tissue(s) specifically affected Hashimoto’s disease mainly affects the thyroid gland. It causes the immune system to targets cells that have the ability to make thyroid hormone (4). III. Symptoms • Fatigue and sluggishness (2) • Increased sensitivity to cold (2) • Constipation (2, 4) • Pale, puffy skin (4) • Unexplained weight gain — occurring infrequently and rarely exceeding 10 to 20 pounds, most of which is fluid (2) • Joint and muscle pain (4) • Pain and stiffness in the joints and swelling...

Words: 714 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Hashimoto’s Disease What You Need to Know

...regulation • Hormones produced coordinate several body activities from digestion to metabolism to reproduction. • Rate at which they are released is controlled by pituitary gland. What is Hashimoto’s Disease • Autoimmune disorder in which immune system creates antibodies that damages the thyroid gland causing inflammation of the thyroid gland leading to gradual destruction leading to inadequate production of the thyroid hormones the body needs (hypothyroidism) • Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome (PGA I) – Hashimoto’s w/ hypoparathyroidism, adrenal insufficiency, and fungal infections of mouth and nails • Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome (PGA II)- Hashimoto’s w/ adrenal insufficiency and type I diabetes Clinical Manifestations Depends on severity of hormone deficiency – are those of an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) • NONE • Intolerance to cold • Weight gain-occurring infrequently & rarely more than 10-20 lbs, mostly fluid • Fatigue • Constipation • Enlarged neck or presence of goiter • Pale, dry skin • Hair loss • Heavy and irregular menses • Difficulty concentrating or thinking • Pain and stiffness in joints, swelling in knees or small joints in hands & feet • Muscle aches, tenderness, and stiffness-especially in shoulders & hips Hashimoto’s Disease WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Signs & Symptoms – con’t • Facial swelling/moon face • Hoarse voice • Elevated blood cholesterol level • Muscle weakness, especially in lower extremities ...

Words: 1115 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Differences Between Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism

...and T4 and increased levels of TSH. Hypothyroidism is treated by supplements of thyroid hormones and are lifelong treatments. Hyperthyroidism means over active thyroid and produces too much hormone. This causes the body to go into over drive and speed up. Symptoms are sweating, feeling hot, and racing thoughts, anxiety, fatigue, increased bowel movements, insomnia, muscle weakness, soft nails, increased moisture of the skin, tachycardia (increased heart rate). In blood testing the T3 and T4 levels are increased and the TSH levels are decreased. The treatment for hyperthyroidism is by anti- thyroid drugs and is taken lifelong. There are auto immune diseases that can cause thyroid malfunctions. Hypothyroidism can be caused by Hashimoto’s disease (antibodies attack thyroid cells). Hyperthyroidism can be caused by Graves’ disease (over production of the thyroid hormones). However these are not the only causes for these illnesses, but the most common. Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism are serious but completely opposite disorders of the thyroid. The...

Words: 349 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Value Your Spoons

...I came across an article the other day written by a fellow patient who suffers from thyroid disease, specifically Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The article intrigued me and I thought was just another story/rant about how difficult life can be living with this disease. I was about half way down the page when the tears began falling off of my cheeks. The article/story is called "The Spoon Theory" written by Christine Miserandino, describing just how chronic of a condition I just might have. And I'm only 18. Having do deal with the uncontrollable mood swings, lack of concentration, depression, brain fog, loss of energy, ect. as a high school athlete preparing to go to college, it has made me realized/appreciate those who are truly valuable in my life. Many of my family m embers do not understand my condition. I don't blame them. However, telling me that it's all in my head and that I "just need to relax" breaks my heart. I rather not explain to them how I feel in deep terms, but rather give a brief description of something they've felt in life such as a very bad flu. If that does not make them understand, that's when I utilize "The Spoon Theory." After having them go through the procedure of understanding how how much time and energy goes into every little thing they do, most apologize for their unsympathetic behavior displayed and ask me if there's anything that they can do to help. This remarkable article is a story that many people around the world must go through. Imagine if...

Words: 310 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Huntington's Disease Research Paper

...Huntington's Disease Huntington’s Disease is an inherited disease that breaks down the nerves of the brain. This disease can affect the individuals functional abilities. Most people with this disease start getting symptoms in their 30s or 40s. When this disease affects people before the age 30 it is called “ juvenile Huntington’s disease”. The causes of Huntington’s is due to a inherited defect in a single gene. Cystic Fibrosis Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease that causes lung infections and makes it difficult for the individual to breathe. This disease causes sticky build up of mucus in lungs, pancreas, and other organs. Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease, the individuals have 2 copies of defective CF gene Down's Syndrome...

Words: 802 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Hashimoto Thyroiditis Research Paper

...Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, also known as HT or just Hashimoto’s for short, is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland, a butterfly shaped organ located at the front of the neck, anterior to the trachea. Each wing of the thyroid gland wraps around the side of the trachea with the isthmus centered in the middle of the two lobes. HT affects the thyroid gland by using your own body’s immune system to attack the organ. The immune system is tricked into thinking the thyroid is a foreign body, therefore it releases antibodies that travel directly to the thyroid. In the antibodies attempt to “fight off” the gland, it causes chronic inflammation. Overtime, this trauma causes the prevention of the thyroid hormones...

Words: 1046 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Benefits Of Dementia

...She, a person seventy-one years old, had been able to live alone for eleven years perfectly fine. No one thought that this would happen. Dementia takes the lives of healthy, hard working, and amazing people; just like it did to Esther Welp. Those affected by this disease have these: memory loss, executive dysfunction, spatial disorientation, personality changes, trouble communicating, and appearance change(Shea). They lose the ability to do everyday normal tasks such as bathing, cooking, and using the restroom that people sometimes take for granted. Dementia can be caused from many different reasons, and it possible to treat it in multiple ways or even completely healed. Studies have been able to prove that aging, genetic diseases, infections, trauma, tumors, strokes, nutritional deficiencies, and diseases cause memory, cognitive decline, and personality changes; otherwise known as dementia(Shea). All of these can induce the damage of brain cells. This damage causes the inability for brain cells to correspond with one another. The brain has specific regions and each has its own job. When the cells in...

Words: 956 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Hashimoto

...Hashimoto’s Disease Also Known as Hypothyroidism Sara Bido Monroe College Abstract Your abstract should be one paragraph and should not exceed 120 words. It is a summary of the most important elements of your paper. All numbers in the abstract, except those beginning a sentence, should be typed as digits rather than words. To count the number of words in this paragraph, select the paragraph, and on the Tools menu click Word Count. What is the Hashimoto disease? It is a condition that attacks the thyroid immune system. The thyroid is a gland localized on the neck, and it is part of the endocrine system which is in charge of the production of hormones that make your body work properly (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2012). Hashimoto disease is common know as hypothyroidism a condition that decrease the level of thyroid hormone in your body. People may remain undiagnosed of thyroid problems for a long period of time, suffering from symptoms that can be confusing with other medical condition, like depression, overweight, weakness and low heart beats. A doctor can confirm this kind of problems after taking a blood test to be sending to analyzed to the level of thyroid stimulant hormones (TSH) and T4 Hormones. After a person is diagnoses with this disease your doctor will prescribe you with the right medication and the right dose to maintain the thyroid working at the normal level. It is very important to visit your doctor frequently, so he can have a control of the level hormones...

Words: 466 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Everything You Need to Know About Hypothyroidism

...disorder. This paper also discusses exactly what the disorder does and how it affects people. This disorder is very interesting. Thyroid disorders are very hard to diagnose because they have vague symptoms until the disease has reached a severe level. The thyroid is a small gland in our necks that control growth repair and metabolism. The thyroid gland uses iodine to produce hormones throughout our body. According to Ignatavicius and Workman If our thyroid is not working properly it is hard to maintain adequate health. Women are more susceptible to suffer from thyroid disorders. If you have a low functioning thyroid you suffer from a disorder call hypothyroidism. This condition can originate in the thyroid or the pituitary gland. (Ignatavicius, D. D., & Workman, M. L 2013.) Hypothyroidism results when the thyroid fails to secrete an adequate amount of the thyroid hormone. (Ignatavicius, D. D., & Workman, M. L 2013.)This condition may form in the thyroid or in the pituitary. The most common cause of this disorder in the United States is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, which is an inherited disorder. In this disorder the thyroid is enlarged and it has a decreased ability to make thyroid hormones. Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the body’s thyroid tissues. (Ignatavicius, D. D., & Workman, M. L 2013.) According to Ignatavicius and Workman some people can also get Secondary Hypothyroidism. Secondary...

Words: 1204 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Disease Classification Structures

...Disease Classification Structures Health care information systems cover a wide range of issues dealing with the supervision and use of biomedical information. Health information systems are central support tools in the administration of health care services. An acceptable health information system is important not only for evaluating the health needs of populations but also for preparation and for application of health interventions. It is equally imperative in the assessment of programs. The goal of information systems is to create an appropriate working environment. This is done by providing initial and going training, allocating resources, and by managing unintended consequences (Wager, Lee & Glaser, 2009). This summary will examine disease classification information structures necessary for reimbursement and epidemiological data collection. Discussions will describe disease classification, analyze reasons why it was selected, and explain how it is applicable to work, review the benefits of the systems and also discuss the negative draw backs of the system. To begin discussions will focus on defining disease classification structures. Disease Classification Structures Disease classification structures are essential to health care. The International Classification of Disease Ninth Revision (ICD-9) is a classification system developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to categorize diseases. ICD-9 collects data on disease and in the United States the ICD-9...

Words: 944 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Personalized Medicine

...Personalized Medicine SCI 115 Abstract Personalized medicine is a healthcare field that deals with the different and unique genomic, genetic, clinical, and environmental information of each person. Personalized medicine is based on making treatment or prevention of disease focus on the individual and the factors that do or will affect that particular individual. Some of the advantages of personalized medicine are the ability to make more informed medical decisions, earlier disease intervention, and reduced probability of negative side effects. Although there is a large upside to personalized medicine and the medical advantages that come along with it implementation, there lyes the challenge. The implementation of personalized medicine is the largest limitation. Whether it is lack of push from the healthcare industry or lack of proven technology to properly diagnose individual patients, personalized medicine is very young and has a long way to go. Personalized medicine or medical treatment that is unique to the individual definitely has it advantages. Some of those advantages are the ability to make more informed medical decisions, earlier disease intervention. Laberge and Burke (2008) describe personalized medicine as health care that is tailored to the individual. They go on to say that (Laberge and Burke 2008) recently the term has been used to refer specifically to genetically-based health care. Some of the drawbacks to personalized medicine according to Laberge...

Words: 839 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Cystic Fibrosis

...Cystic Fibrosis Latisha Long HCS/245 March 26, 2012 Cathy Coyle Cystic Fibrosis In today’s society there are many diseases out there. It is to contract these diseases by coming in contact with a carrier. People who are into sharing dirty needles, having unprotected sex, or not being able to maintain a healthy and clean environment, can become infected with these transferable diseases. There are some diseases out there that you can inherit; one in particular that stands out is Cystic Fibrosis (CF). CF is a life threating disease; there are 1,000 new cases each year. With the new treatments and studies, people are living longer with CF. Before people with CF were only living into the early years of their childhood, and now they are living well past their 30s. CF is an inherited disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. A defective gene and its protein cause the body to produce an abundance of thick sticky mucus in the lungs. The production of this mucus causes the lungs to clog and can lead to life threating infections. CF can also cause the pancreas to obstruct and stop enzymes, which allows the body to absorb and breakdown food. This can cause slow growth and malnutrition in the body, and the sticky mucus can block the airway which makes it difficult to breath causing this disease to be life threatening. People with CF have shorter life expectancy, because of the way CF controls the body. The treatment for CF is improving every day...

Words: 1105 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Globa Warming

...“Green energy, our planet needs you” The Earth is our home, but it has been contaminated. Scientifics are concern with our planet which is dying everyday. It is our responsibility to take care the planet. The temperature has increased since the middle of the 20th century as a result of increasing concentrations of greenhouse due to human activity. As a consequence of the global warming many ecosystem are affected, has created climate variation, and many health diseases in the population. First of all, global warming has affected many ecosystems .The marine ecosystem is dying, many fishes and mammals that live in the ocean is disappearing due to the high temperature. The arctic is defrosting and the bear polar can not found what to eat. For polar bears to stay alive, they need sea ice. Not to eat the ice itself, of course, but because the animal that represents their main victim item, the ringed close, requires sea ice as its primary habitat for resting. Another ecosystem that is affected is the coral reefs. The coral reefs, which are the filter of the sea, are bleaching. The bunch of bleaching incident that followed kill a fifth of coral communities worldwide. And while many have recovered the global loss is attributed to the mass bleaching stand. At the instant the reefs seem to be recuperating fine, but it's only an issue of time prior to another mass of bleaching. The temperature has demonstrated high level of records since 1980.The increase...

Words: 596 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Personalized Medicine

...The emergence of personalized medicine has helped in the reduction of costs, time, and the rate of failure of pharmaceutical clinical trials, has eliminated trial and error inefficiencies in the diagnosis of diseases, and has aided in the prescription of effective drugs and averted those that pose dangerous side effects to patients. This essay explicates the manner in which genetic technology may contribute to personalized medicine, examples of the benefits of personalized medicine, and drawbacks of personalized medicine. Modern genetic technology has played an instrumental role in leading to personalized medicine. It has led to in depth understanding of the impacts of genetics in a given disease. The understanding of the impacts of the disease has helped in the development of personalized medicine, as practitioners are able to identify the correct prescription for different diseases. Modern genetic technology has also led to personalized medicine by helping practitioners understand the significance of genes in the normal development of human beings. Duke Medicine (2011) points out that these are easily linked with the certain diseases affecting human beings hence the development of personalized medicine. Practitioners are able to identify the different diseases affecting human beings before they get to their worst states with the use of modern genetic technology. Personalized medicine has had numerous benefits on...

Words: 680 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Human Cloneing

...happening now. In fact, there are many benefits to human cloning such as diminished disease, new possibilities in science, and better wellness. First, what if I said that doctors and scientist have found a way cure or terminate the suffering cause by diseases and cancers? Well the true is it could be done. Through the studies of cloning and techniques that are learn, and we may be able to diminish diseases and eliminate cancers from society. Which can be accomplished is by learning the human genome and later using the cloning techniques to change the genetic code. This type of science is could gene therapy or genetic modification. By just adding or removing parts off genic cade are, immune system could fright off the worst diseases and cancers. Next, numerous of remarkable benefits come from cloning knowledge, and that would open new possibilities in science. One of these possibilities is the treatment for damaged nerves. By injuring cloned nerve cells where damage was due. A second possibility is clone individual organs. This could be a solution to ever growing demand for organ donors. “The regeneration of diseased or damaged tissues and body parts made is made possible by cloning” Finally, with the help of cloning life would be better. It will give an overall better wellness throughout the world. From cloning, a person could have prolonged life for many years to come. With fewer worries about disease one would have less stress. Cloning gives a person the ability to discover new...

Words: 353 - Pages: 2