Question: What is Hashimoto's thyroiditis and how do you treat or reverse it?

Dr. Hibberd's answer:

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease where your thyroid is attacked by antibodies. It causes the destruction of thyroid tissue and can lead to thyroid hormone deficiency. Its exact cause is unknown, but genetic factors and excesses of iodine, selenium deficiency, radiation, and drugs may be factors involved in inducing it.

Left untreated, goiters and low thyroid hormone complications are common. This condition usually requires suppressive thyroid hormone therapy under the guidance of an endocrinologist. Sometimes surgery is recommended when goiters complicate this condition and do not regress sufficiently.

If left untreated, you may suffer insufficient thyroid hormone, which is needed for normal metabolism. This condition is also associated with other autoimmune disorders that your primary physician and your endocrinologist should check you for.

There is also a very rare association of this condition with thyroid lymphoma. Other autoimmune conditions sometimes associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis may include gluten sensitivity (celiac disease), Type 1 diabetes, vitiligo, Addison's disease, Graves’ disease, Lupus, pernicious anemia, non-Hodgkins lymphoma and rheumatoid arthritis.