Does Hashimoto's thyroiditis affect pregnancy?

Written by Li Hui Zhi

Endocrinology

Updated on September 27, 2024

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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.

Other Voices

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Written by Chen Xie

Endocrinology

1min 8sec

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Hashimoto's thyroiditis diagnostic indicators

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a type of autoimmune thyroiditis, which can present in various phases regarding thyroid function, manifesting as hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, or normal thyroid function. Therefore, for patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, it is necessary to check thyroid function to understand its status. Since Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune thyroiditis, the thyroid peroxidase antibodies and thyroglobulin antibodies are generally elevated. Additionally, it is necessary to perform thyroid ultrasound to assess the thyroid's condition. For some difficult-to-distinguish patients, a further examination such as a 131I uptake test can be conducted, where the uptake rate in Hashimoto's thyroiditis is reduced. Even further, a fine needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid can be performed, where we can observe significant lymphocyte infiltration.

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Written by Tang Zhuo

Endocrinology

1min 9sec

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Is Hashimoto's thyroiditis severe?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is a common type of autoimmune thyroid disease. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. If hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto's thyroiditis is identified, long-term administration of levothyroxine can achieve good control. It is worth noting that the clinical manifestations of Hashimoto's thyroiditis are often atypical, or may coexist with other thyroid diseases, or other autoimmune diseases. Special attention needs to be paid to certain types of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. One such type is Hashitoxicosis, Hashimoto's pseudohyperthyroidism, or Hashimoto's thyroiditis accompanied by thyroid tumors, Hashimoto's encephalopathy, or Hashimoto's with proptosis. These special types require particular attention.

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Written by Zhang Jun Jun

Endocrinology

54sec

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Does Hashimoto's thyroiditis cause a sore throat?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis does not cause a sore throat; the type of thyroiditis that primarily causes a sore throat is subacute thyroiditis. Subacute thyroiditis is a viral infection and is a self-limiting disease. Its main clinical manifestations include sore throat, thyroid enlargement, as well as accompanying fever and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Meanwhile, Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease, whose most common clinical manifestation is painless thyroid enlargement, progressing to hypothyroidism in later stages. Additionally, it involves thyroid antibodies, especially positive TPO antibodies. Because the treatments for each are different, it is important to note that Hashimoto's thyroiditis does not cause a sore throat.

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Written by Chen Li Ping

Endocrinology

45sec

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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.

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Written by Li Hu Chen

Imaging Center

52sec

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Ultrasonic manifestations of Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Under ultrasound observation, Hashimoto's thyroiditis generally presents as a diffuse enlargement of the thyroid, often symmetrically, although there are cases of unilateral enlargement as well. Additionally, the surface of the thyroid appears irregular and nodular. The ultrasound often reveals uneven echogenicity in the gland, sometimes with nodular changes and unclear boundaries. However, the ultrasonographic characteristics of Hashimoto's thyroiditis are not particularly specific unless it's a typical case of the disease, which can be roughly diagnosed via ultrasound. For atypical or early cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, diagnosis typically requires thyroid function tests, known as the "thyroid function six-item test," which remains the gold standard for diagnosing Hashimoto's thyroiditis.