Hashimoto's thyroiditis should be seen in which department?

Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
Updated on September 14, 2024
00:00
00:00

Hashimoto's thyroiditis, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, should be seen by an endocrinologist as it is an autoimmune disease. How do we know if it's Hashimoto's thyroiditis? It is typically identified during routine physical examinations that include a thyroid function test. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is characterized by a specific antibody, the anti-thyroperoxidase antibody, also known as Tpoab. Many people may have elevated levels of this antibody, yet their thyroid function, such as free T3, T4, and TSH levels, remains normal. In such cases, it is advisable to initially observe the condition dynamically and to regularly recheck thyroid function, as some individuals may gradually develop reduced thyroid function. Thus, regular monitoring of thyroid function is very important.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
47sec home-news-image

Does Hashimoto's thyroiditis cause weight loss?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune thyroiditis where autoantibodies within the body cause the destruction of thyroid follicular cells, leading to thyroid cell failure. During the course of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hyperthyroidism may occur. Due to the destruction of thyroid follicles by autoantibodies, a significant release of thyroid hormones into the blood occurs, resulting in a hyperthyroid state. Therefore, symptoms such as weight loss, heat intolerance, and excessive sweating which are typical of hyperthyroidism may also appear in Hashimoto's thyroiditis. However, as the disease progresses, the condition gradually leads to decreased thyroid function.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
1min 3sec home-news-image

Hashimoto's thyroiditis should be seen in which department?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, should be seen by an endocrinologist as it is an autoimmune disease. How do we know if it's Hashimoto's thyroiditis? It is typically identified during routine physical examinations that include a thyroid function test. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is characterized by a specific antibody, the anti-thyroperoxidase antibody, also known as Tpoab. Many people may have elevated levels of this antibody, yet their thyroid function, such as free T3, T4, and TSH levels, remains normal. In such cases, it is advisable to initially observe the condition dynamically and to regularly recheck thyroid function, as some individuals may gradually develop reduced thyroid function. Thus, regular monitoring of thyroid function is very important.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Li Ping
Endocrinology
45sec home-news-image

Does Hashimoto's thyroiditis hurt?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. The typical manifestation of Hashimoto's thyroiditis is chronic diffuse goiter, but the patient is asymptomatic. The patient's thyroid will show diffuse, painless mild to moderate enlargement, firm texture, slight tenderness upon pressure, local compression in the neck, and generally not very pronounced systemic symptoms, often with discomfort in the throat. Thyroid pain or tenderness in Hashimoto's thyroiditis is still quite rare; if pain is present, differentiation from subacute thyroiditis is necessary.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
52sec home-news-image

Is the ESR high in Hashimoto's thyroiditis?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis belongs to autoimmune thyroiditis, which is caused by the presence of autoantibodies that destroy the thyroid follicular cells, leading to the failure of thyroid cells. For patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) generally does not increase. However, if a patient experiences neck discomfort or sore throat, and the ESR increases, even accompanied by fever, it is necessary to rule out whether subacute thyroiditis is present. If the patient has subacute thyroiditis, it indicates that a viral infection has caused the destruction of the thyroid cells, which might increase the ESR.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
1min 11sec home-news-image

Can Hashimoto's thyroiditis be cured?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune thyroiditis in which the body itself has autoimmune antibodies, leading to the destruction of thyroid follicular cells and the release of a large amount of thyroid hormones, possibly resulting in hyperthyroidism. Some patients may experience hyperthyroidism for years or even decades, which requires anti-hyperthyroidism treatment. However, as the disease progresses, further destruction of thyroid function may occur, resulting in hypothyroidism. For patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, once hypothyroidism occurs, it is usually progressive. Therefore, once hypothyroidism occurs in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, lifelong replacement therapy with levothyroxine is necessary, as Hashimoto's thyroiditis cannot be completely cured, but clinical remission can be achieved through replacement therapy.