Is Hashimoto's thyroiditis easy to treat?

Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
Updated on February 17, 2025
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Regarding whether Hashimoto's thyroiditis is easy to treat, it needs to be analyzed based on specific circumstances. Generally, after diagnosing Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the treatment decision depends on the size of the thyroid and whether there are any symptoms.

For patients with a smaller thyroid who do not have noticeable compression symptoms, follow-up observation without immediate treatment is possible. However, for patients with significant thyroid enlargement and compression symptoms, treatment with levothyroxine can be adopted to reduce thyroid size. In some patients who develop hypothyroidism, thyroid hormone replacement therapy is used.

Moreover, some patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis may also develop thyroid nodules. It is necessary to dynamically track changes in the morphology of the thyroid nodules. Patients with obvious compression symptoms, significant local pain, progressive enlargement of the nodules, or suspected malignant changes should undergo surgical treatment.

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Written by Chen Xie
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Does Hashimoto's thyroiditis cause fever?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis belongs to autoimmune thyroiditis, where the body's own antibodies destroy the thyroid follicular cells, leading to apoptosis of thyroid cells. As the disease progresses, it may lead to hypothyroidism. Generally, Hashimoto's thyroiditis does not cause fever. If a patient with Hashimoto's thyroiditis experiences a fever, it is necessary to exclude other infectious diseases. If a patient with Hashimoto's thyroiditis has a fever, especially if there is significant tenderness in the thyroid area, it is necessary to exclude the possibility of concomitant subacute thyroiditis. If Hashimoto's thyroiditis is accompanied by subacute thyroiditis, small doses of hormones can be used for treatment. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
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What kind of salt should be consumed for Hashimoto's thyroiditis?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a type of autoimmune thyroiditis that can manifest as hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, or normal thyroid function during its progression. Therefore, there are different requirements for the type of salt to consume depending on the state of thyroid function. When Hashimoto's thyroiditis presents with hyperthyroidism, it is recommended to consume non-iodized salt. When thyroid function is normal in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, iodized salt can be consumed. When Hashimoto's thyroiditis is accompanied by hypothyroidism, there is no specific requirement for consuming iodized or non-iodized salt. Because at this stage, the thyroid has largely lost its ability to synthesize thyroid hormones, and treatment involves replacing them with levothyroxine to maintain thyroid function. Therefore, the intake of iodine does not matter, and one can freely choose to consume iodized or non-iodized salt. Thus, the choice of salt in Hashimoto's thyroiditis should be based on thyroid function testing.

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Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
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Can Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients eat iodized salt?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune thyroid disease, which can manifest in three thyroid function states: hyperthyroidism, euthyroidism, and hypothyroidism. The dietary requirements for iodized salt vary depending on the thyroid state. When Hashimoto's thyroiditis coexists with hyperthyroidism, an iodine-restricted diet is necessary. When thyroid function is normal in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, iodine intake should still be limited, as excessive iodine can cause a thyroiditis that changes from euthyroid to dysfunctional. Therefore, iodized salt can be consumed, but the intake of iodine-rich foods such as kelp, seaweed, and seafood should be restricted. When Hashimoto's thyroiditis coincides with hypothyroidism, iodized salt can be consumed without specific restrictions; both iodized and non-iodized salt are acceptable. This is because, at this stage, thyroid function primarily requires hormone replacement therapy, so the consumption of iodized salt has no effect.

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Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
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What is the heart rate for Hashimoto's thyroiditis?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune thyroid disease. The course of the disease can include hyperthyroidism, euthyroidism, and hypothyroidism. When Hashimoto's thyroiditis is at different stages of thyroid function, the changes in heart rate are also inconsistent. When Hashimoto's thyroiditis coincides with hyperthyroidism, the heart rate may be fast, even exceeding 100bpm. When Hashimoto's thyroiditis coincides with normal thyroid function, the heart rate may be within the normal range, around 60bpm to 100bpm. When Hashimoto's thyroiditis coincides with hypothyroidism, the heart rate may slow down, possibly dropping below 60bpm. Therefore, in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, as the thyroid function varies, so does the heart rate.

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Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
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Is Hashimoto's thyroiditis contagious?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease, which is neither hereditary nor contagious, but it does tend to run in families. If parents have Hashimoto's thyroiditis, their children are at a relatively higher risk of developing the disease. Therefore, Hashimoto's thyroiditis is not contagious, so everyone can be reassured. As for the treatment of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, if hypothyroidism occurs, one simply needs to take levothyroxine on time for replacement therapy to restore thyroid function to normal levels without any special discomfort. When the thyroid gland in Hashimoto's thyroiditis is relatively large and causes significant compression symptoms, surgical treatment can be considered. Therefore, Hashimoto's thyroiditis is not contagious, nor is it hereditary, but it does have a familial clustering tendency.