Signs and Symptoms of Hashimoto’s Disease
The Hashimoto’s disease is a condition in which the thyroid gland of the endocrine system is affected, leading to a drop in thyroid hormone levels in the blood. The signs and symptoms of the Hashimoto's disease include a swollen throat (goiter), fatigue and sluggishness, constipation, a puffy face, hair loss, unexplained weight gain, joint pain and stiffness, excessive menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), and memory lapse ( Ahmed, Al-Shaikh, & Akhtar, 2012) . Other signs and symptoms of the Hashimoto’s disease are depression, muscle weakness, muscle aches, enlargement of the tongue, brittle nails, pale and dry skin, and increased sensitivity to cold. An individual is advised to see the doctor for Hashimoto's disease checkup if he or she develops signs and symptoms such as tiredness for no apparent reason, dry skin, pale and puffy face, and constipation.
Recommended Treatment for Hashimoto’s Disease
The recommended treatment for the Hashimoto’s disease involves the use of medications. Synthetic thyroid hormone Levothyroxine (either Levoxyl or Synthroid), an oral medication, is administered to not only restore adequate hormone levels in the blood but also to reverse all the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism ( Caturegli, De Remigis, & Rose, 2014) . Notably, the treatment of Hashimoto’s disease with Levothyroxine is life-long and requires regular checkups for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels to determine the right dosage. In addition to being inexpensive, the treatment of Hashimoto’s disease with Levothyroxine is not associated with side effects if the right dose is used. However, Levothyroxine overdose results in excessive amounts of thyroid hormone, which does not only accelerate bone loss but may also cause heart rhythm disorders known as arrhythmias. Nonetheless, an individual with Hashimoto’s disease should neither skip doses nor should he or she stop taking Levothyroxine. The signs and symptoms of the condition gradually return with such practices.
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References
Ahmed, R., Al-Shaikh, S., & Akhtar, M. (2012). Hashimoto thyroiditis: a century later. Advances in anatomic pathology , 19 (3), 181-186.
Caturegli, P., De Remigis, A., & Rose, N. R. (2014). Hashimoto thyroiditis: clinical and diagnostic criteria. Autoimmunity reviews , 13 (4-5), 391-397.
