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$Unique_ID{BRK03800}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Hashimoto's Syndrome}
$Subject{Hashimoto's Syndrome Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Hashimoto's Disease
Struma Lymphomatosa Lymphadenoid Goiter Subacute Thyroiditis Riedel's
Thyroiditis Hypothyroidism Graves Disease}
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1989 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
683:
Hashimoto's Syndrome
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible that the main title of the article (Hashimoto's Syndrome)
is not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYM listing to find the
alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
Synonyms
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
Hashimoto's Disease
Struma Lymphomatosa
Lymphadenoid Goiter
Information on the following diseases can be found in the Related
Disorders section of this report:
Subacute Thyroiditis
Riedel's Thyroiditis
Hypothyroidism
Graves Disease
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Hashimoto's Syndrome is a progressive disease of the thyroid that will
eventually destroy the thyroid gland and cause a lack of thyroid hormone
(hypothyroidism).
Symptoms
Hashimoto's Syndrome is thought to be the most common cause of primary
hypothyroidism. Patients complain of painless enlargement of the thyroid
gland or fullness in the throat. It causes a non-tender goiter). This
abnormal lump on the front of the neck is smooth or nodular, firm and more
rubbery in consistency than the normal thyroid. Thyroid function blood
studies initially fall within the normal limits, until the disease has
progressed sufficiently to cause the lack of thyroid hormone.
Causes
The exact cause of Hashimoto's Syndrome is not known. It may be an autoimmune
disorder caused by infiltration of the thyroid gland with lymphocytes (white
blood cells), resulting in the progressive destruction of the thyroid gland
and eventually causing hypothyroidism. Autoimmune diseases begin when the
body's natural defenses against disease, such as antibodies, lymphocytes,
etc., attack healthy tissue for unknown reasons.
There may be a genetic predisposition to develop Hashimoto's Syndrome.
The gene may be inherited as an autosomal dominant disorder. Human traits
including the classic genetic diseases are the product of the interaction of
two genes for that condition, one received from the father and one from the
mother. In dominant disorders, a single copy of the of the disease gene
(received from either the mother or father) will be expressed "dominating"
the other normal gene and resulting in appearance of the disease. The risk
of transmitting the disease gene from affected parent to offspring is 50% for
each pregnancy regardless of the sex of the resulting child.
Affected Population
Hashimoto's Syndrome can occur in men and women at any age, but is most
frequently seen in women between the ages of 30 and 50. A family history of
thyroid disorders is common. The incidence is increased in patients with
chromosomal disorders including Turner's, Down's and Klinefelter's syndromes.
(For more information about these disorders, choose "Turner", "Down" and
"Klinefelter" as your search terms in the Rare Disease Database.)
Related Disorders
Symptoms of the following disorders can be similar to those of Hashimoto's
syndrome. Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:
Subacute Thyroiditis is a relatively common inflammation of the thyroid.
It usually occurs about 2 weeks after a viral infection such as a viral
pharyngitis (sore throat), mumps or measles. There is severe pain and
tenderness over the thyroid area associated with difficulty in swallowing.
Blood studies will show a low level of thyroid hormone. Most cases are
helped by analgesic or anti-inflammatory drugs. Normal thyroid levels will
eventually return.
Riedel's Thyroiditis is extremely rare. It is the abnormal formation of
fibrous tissue involving the thyroid gland and surrounding areas. It
presents itself as a hard, fixed and painless enlargement of the thyroid.
The progressive destruction of the thyroid gland will eventually cause
hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism can occur alone or as a symptom of another illness. Major
symptoms may include the development of an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) in
the neck, a dull facial expression, puffiness and swelling around the eyes,
drooping eyelids, thinning hair, excessive fatigue, and weight gain. Mental
functioning may or may not be affected. (For more information on this
disorder, choose "Hypothyroidism" as your search term in the Rare Disease
Database.)
Grave's Disease is a disease affecting the thyroid gland. It is thought
to occur as a result of an imbalance in the immune system. This disorder
causes increased thyroid secretion (hyperthyroidism), enlargement of the
thyroid gland (goiter), protrusion of the eyeballs, and weight loss. Some
individuals have both Hashimoto's Disease and Grave's Disease at the same
time. For more information on this disorder, choose "Grave" as your search
term in the Rare Disease Database.)
Therapies: Standard
Treatment of Hashimoto's Syndrome consists of replacing thyroid hormone in
the body. This will alleviate the symptoms and produce a marked reduction in
the gland size within 2 to 4 weeks. Once thyroid hormone has been started,
it should be continued for life, since it is unlikely that the disease will
regress spontaneously.
Therapies: Investigational
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
September 1989. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to
keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and
accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for
the most current information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Hashimoto's Syndrome, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
The Thyroid Foundation of America
c/o Dr. Morris Wood
Massachusetts General Hospital, ACC 630
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 726-2377
American Thyroid Association
Endocrine/Metabolic Service 7D
Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Washington, DC 20307
800-542-6687
The Thyroid Foundation of Canada
CD/Box 1597
Kingston, Ontario
Canada K71 5C8
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
Box NDDIC
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 468-6344
For genetic information and genetic counseling referrals:
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
(914) 428-7100
Alliance of Genetic Support Groups
35 Wisconsin Circle, Suite 440
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
(800) 336-GENE
(301) 652-5553
References
MENDELIAN INHERITANCE IN MAN, 8th ed.: Victor A. McKusick; Johns Hopkins
University Press, 1986. Pp. 296.
THE METABOLIC BASIS OF INHERITED DISEASE, 5th ed.: John B. Stanbury, et
al., eds.; McGraw Hill, 1983. Pp. 262.
INTERNAL MEDICINE, 2nd Ed.: Jay H. Stein, ed.-in-chief; Little, Brown
and Co., 1987. Pp. 1931.
THE WORLD BOOK MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA, Your Guide to Good Health: Stuart
Levin, M.D., World Book Inc., 1988. Pp. 865.
THE COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE of PHYSICIANS and SURGEONS COMPLETE HOME
MEDICAL GUIDE, Donald A. Holub, M.D.; Crown Publishers Inc., 1985. Pp. 501.
THE MERCK MANUAL, 14th Ed.: Robert Berkow, M.D. et al.,eds.; Merck Sharp &
Dohme Research Laboratories, Pp. 673.
THYROID IODINE CONTENT AND SERUM THYROID HORMONE LEVELS IN AUTOIMMUNE
THYROIDITIS: EFFECT OF IODIDE SUPPLEMENTATION P Fragu et al.; J Nucl Med
(February, 1985, issue 26(2)). Pp. 133-139.