Does Hashimoto's thyroiditis require treatment?

Written by Luo Juan
Endocrinology
Updated on November 18, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.)

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xu Dong Dong
Endocrinology
38sec home-news-image

Can Hashimoto's thyroiditis breastfeed?

Patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis can breastfeed. It is important for those in a hyperthyroid phase, especially when taking anti-thyroid medications, to switch to breastfeeding-safe medications beforehand and to regularly monitor thyroid function to ensure it remains within normal limits. Patients in a hypothyroid phase should also regularly monitor their thyroid function and adjust their replacement medication dosage accordingly. Newborns should have their thyroid function and related antibodies regularly tested from birth onwards. (Please medicate under the guidance of a physician.)

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

How to cure Hashimoto's thyroiditis?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is characterized by autoimmune antibodies destroying the thyroid gland, leading to a gradual decline in thyroid function and manifesting symptoms of hypothyroidism. Currently, this disease is incurable. Treatment mainly includes restricting iodine intake to keep it within a safe range to prevent the progression of autoimmune destruction of the thyroid. Patients who only have thyroid swelling without hypothyroidism generally do not require treatment. However, once hypothyroidism occurs, it can be treated with levothyroxine to alleviate the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Nevertheless, current levothyroxine treatment cannot stop the progression of the disease. When the thyroid swells rapidly with local pain or compressive symptoms, treatment with glucocorticoids can be considered. However, if the symptoms do not improve or the compressive symptoms are significant, surgical treatment may be considered, although the likelihood of developing hypothyroidism post-surgery is higher.

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 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 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.