DEAR DR. GOTT: I have just been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease. I’ve been treated for hypothyroidism for three years and also have a calcification in my thyroid gland. What is Hashimoto’s, and how is it treated? Please advise.
DEAR READER: Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system incorrectly attacks the thyroid gland at the base of the neck. It is the most common cause of hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone) known in the United States and affects middle-aged women more than men and children. Age, heredity and sex may play a role in determining why some people acquire the disorder and others do not.
Symptoms of the disorder vary from person to person, but can include dry skin, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, constipation, changes in menstrual cycle, weight gain, an increased sensitivity to cold, and depression. A diagnosis can be made through blood work and/or antibody testing.
Treatment is often successfully accomplished with synthetic thyroid hormone-replacement therapy. Your physician will likely order repeat blood testing to determine if the level of medication you are taking is appropriate, since excessive drug amounts can cause accelerated bone loss, leading to osteoporosis. When left untreated, an underactive thyroid gland caused by Hashimoto’s can lead to an increased risk for heart disease, goiter and exacerbation of depression.
Several over-the-counter remedies — including aluminum hydroxide in antacids, calcium and multivitamins with iron — may affect your ability to absorb some prescribed thyroid medications, so be sure to advise your primary care physician of any supplements you might be taking.
The calcification in your thyroid is a formation of a solid or semi-solid lump within the thyroid gland. The condition is benign in most cases but should be followed closely, since it can occur in malignant forms of thyroid disease.
Readers who would like related information can order my Health Report “Thyroid Disorders” by sending a self-addressed, stamped, No. 10 envelope and a $2 U.S. check or money order payable to Dr. Peter Gott at P.O. Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039-0433. Be sure to mention the title when writing, or print out an order form from my website’s direct link: www.AskDrGottMD.com/order_form.pdf.
