What is Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is actually a chronic lymphatic autoimmune disease. The population that suffers from this disease is relatively targeted. From the existing clinical data, we can know that the probability of developing the disease in middle-aged women is higher. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is usually accompanied by hyperthyroidism. The surface of the thyroid gland will become enlarged and rough, and there will be brown-yellow mucus. The patient will also experience local discomfort or even pain.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disease. The thyroid gland often shows moderate diffuse lymphocytic infiltration, with lymphoid follicle formation, plasma cell infiltration and thyroid follicle rupture. Some follicular cells appear enlarged and eosinophilic, the so-called "Askanazy cells". Some patients may have myxedema, their thyroid gland is smaller or even cannot be touched, and the histological changes of the thyroid gland are similar to those mentioned above, but the fibrosis becomes more obvious and the cell infiltration decreases.

Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis is more common in middle-aged people, but it can affect any age group. The incidence rate in women is significantly higher than that in men, about 20:1. The onset is insidious and slow. The thyroid enlargement is often discovered accidentally and is of medium size. A few patients may have local discomfort or even pain, which can be easily confused with subacute thyroiditis. Most goiters are symmetrical, with enlargement of the pyramidal lobes. The surface of the gland may be lobed and tough like rubber. The thyroid function is mostly normal, but some patients may have hyperthyroidism, which is seen in young patients and is called Hashimoto's hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism may occur in the later stage, and a few may present with myxedema.

Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis mainly presents as diffuse enlargement with a smooth surface in adolescents. In middle-aged patients, the thyroid gland is mostly only moderately enlarged, of medium hardness, uneven, and with an uneven surface. TGA and TMA are significantly elevated. In a small number of patients, the thyroid gland is hard in texture and difficult to distinguish from thyroid cancer or medullary thyroid cancer.

Middle-aged women with diffuse thyroid enlargement, especially when accompanied by pyramidal lobe enlargement, should be suspected of this disease regardless of thyroid function. Further determination of TMA and TGA can assist in diagnosis. Potassium perchlorate excretion test is of reference value. Thyroid puncture and histological examination can confirm the diagnosis. Thyroid hormone test can also be used for treatment. 80 to 160 mg of thyroid tablets can be given daily. If the thyroid gland is significantly reduced, it will help with diagnosis. When diagnosing this disease, care should be taken to differentiate it from patients with thyroid diseases such as thyroid cancer, subacute thyroiditis, simple goiter and nodular goiter.