Can Hashimoto's thyroiditis heal itself?

Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
Updated on September 24, 2024
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Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease that varies in severity. If a patient merely has elevated antibodies but normal thyroid function, there is no need for treatment; regular thyroid function monitoring is sufficient. If a patient has Hashimoto's thyroiditis combined with reduced thyroid function, they should visit an endocrinology specialist and timely supplement thyroid hormones. Therefore, it cannot be categorically stated whether it can be cured or not; it depends on the severity of the condition. Some patients, if their thyroid function is normal, need only monitor their thyroid function.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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Can you get pregnant with Hashimoto's thyroiditis?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis can lead to pregnancy, but the prerequisite is that you must visit an endocrinology specialist before pregnancy to check your thyroid function, ensuring that the TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) is controlled below 2.5. This situation is suitable for pregnancy because if TSH is greater than 2.5, it is likely to have a certain impact on the fetus's intelligence. Therefore, if you have Hashimoto's thyroiditis and are planning to conceive, you first need to check the thyroid function. If this indicator is normal, then you can consider pregnancy.

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Written by Gan Jun
Endocrinology
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What should I do about Hashimoto's thyroiditis?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune inflammatory thyroid disease caused by the diffuse enlargement of thyroid follicular cells, and may present with transient hyperthyroidism during different clinical stages. During the period of normal thyroid function as well as the eventual phase of reduced thyroid function, appropriate anti-hyperthyroidism medications can be administered symptomatically when the patient is clinically hyperthyroid. When the patient is hypothyroid, it is necessary to timely supplement with thyroid hormones for treatment, and it is essential to dynamically monitor the individual’s thyroid hormone levels, thyroid hormone antibodies, and thyroid ultrasound to make a comprehensive assessment. It is always important to maintain a low iodine diet and avoid consuming foods that are high in iodine.

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Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
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Does Hashimoto's thyroiditis require treatment?

Treatment depends on the case. Currently, there is no cure for Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and the main goal of treatment is to correct secondary thyroid dysfunction and reduce significantly enlarged thyroids. Generally, for patients with mild diffuse goiter without obvious compression symptoms and no thyroid dysfunction, no special treatment is needed; follow-up observation is sufficient. For patients with significant thyroid enlargement and compression symptoms, treatment with levothyroxine may be used to reduce thyroid swelling. If the patient has hypothyroidism, thyroid hormone replacement therapy can be administered. (Medication should be administered under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
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Can Hashimoto's thyroiditis be cured?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune thyroiditis where the body itself has autoantibodies that lead to the destruction of thyroid follicular cells, resulting in the failure of thyroid cells. Therefore, Hashimoto's thyroiditis can manifest as hyperthyroidism, euthyroidism, and hypothyroidism. Ultimately, Hashimoto's thyroiditis may develop into hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is proliferative and generally cannot be completely cured, but clinical remission can be achieved through oral administration of levothyroxine. However, Hashimoto's thyroiditis cannot be completely cured and requires lifelong replacement therapy.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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Does Hashimoto's thyroiditis affect pregnancy?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis, it is a type of autoimmune disease. Some people might have normal thyroid function, while others may develop hypothyroidism. Therefore, if someone with Hashimoto's thyroiditis plans to become pregnant, it is essential to test thyroid function before pregnancy. For patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, we recommend that the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) should be controlled below 2.5 mIU/L before suggesting pregnancy, as this can prevent potential impacts on the fetus's intelligence.