Can Hashimoto's thyroiditis be cured?

Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
Updated on September 05, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
51sec home-news-image

Is Hashimoto's thyroiditis hereditary?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune thyroid disease and is not hereditary. However, it tends to cluster in families, meaning if one's parents have a history of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, their offspring have a relatively higher risk of developing the disease. However, this is not absolute heredity; it simply indicates a familial clustering tendency. Treatment for Hashimoto's thyroiditis is relatively effective. If hypothyroidism occurs, one only needs to take lifelong replacement therapy with levothyroxine to maintain thyroid function within the normal range, which has minimal impact on the body. Therefore, there is no need for excessive worry.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tang Zhuo
Endocrinology
1min 9sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
42sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of Hashimoto's thyroiditis?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disease. Its main manifestation includes possible enlargement of the thyroid in some people. If Hashimoto's thyroiditis is accompanied by hypothyroidism, symptoms may include general fatigue, constipation, bradycardia, and edema. If these symptoms are present, it is important to visit an endocrinology specialist promptly for further thyroid function tests, thyroid ultrasonography, thyroid peroxidase antibody tests, and other examinations to confirm the diagnosis.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
48sec home-news-image

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.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
43sec home-news-image

Does Hashimoto's thyroiditis need to be treated?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease. Whether it requires treatment mainly depends on whether thyroid function is normal. If the thyroid function is normal in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, treatment is not needed; only regular monitoring of thyroid function is necessary. If Hashimoto's thyroiditis is accompanied by reduced thyroid function, then thyroid hormone replacement therapy is needed. If there is a history of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, it is essential to regularly monitor thyroid function and, under the guidance of a doctor, determine whether medication is necessary.