Autoimmune thyroiditis is a condition that causes a person’s immune system to release antibodies which attack the thyroid gland tissues. They destroy hormone-producing thyroid cells. This causes hormone levels to change, which negatively affects general health and wellbeing.

In typical cases, Hashimoto’s disease can remain asymptomatic for a long time while hormonal imbalances and functional disorders develop.

According to one study1, about 14 million people in the USA have autoimmune thyroiditis, and about a half of them don’t even know about it.

It should be noted that some groups of people are at higher risk for Hashimoto’s disease. We explained in another article who needs to be more attentive to its possible symptoms.

When should I seek medical help?

A dysfunctional thyroid gland can lead to either too many or too few hormones being secreted. This, in its turn, leads to disorders in many bodily systems. These disorders manifest in various ways, from mood swings to hair loss or skin dryness. That’s why cannot list specific symptoms exclusive for autoimmune thyroiditis.

Sometimes, the disease is clinically silent and can be discovered during a routine checkup. Nevertheless, the symptoms listed below deserve attention, and if you notice even one of them, it is worth visiting a physician.

  • Changes in your energy level or mood. Increased and continuous anxiety, irritability, insomnia or sleepiness, tiredness, or feeling weak or passive could be a sign that you’re developing autoimmune thyroiditis.
  • Distressed thermoregulation. People with hyperthyroidism (increased secretion of hormones) have low heat tolerance, sweat increasingly, and try to spend as little time in the sun as possible, as it makes them feel bad. In cases of hypothyroidism (hormonal deficit), people feel cold all the time, even when wearing lots of layers.
  • Body mass changes, especially when the body loses or gains a few extra pounds while physical activity and caloric consumption remain unchanged.
  • Intestinal disorders such as constipation, diarrhea, frequent stomach aches.
  • Menstrual disorders, such as changes in the duration or profusion of periods.
  • Facial puffiness in the morning.
  • Forgetfulness or slow thinking may also be a result of autoimmune thyroiditis.
  • Voice changes — your voice can become hoarse or husky, or you might feel a tickle or a lump in your throat.
  • Hair loss, nail fragility, skin dryness.  

It is better not wait until you notice all or several of the listed symptoms and disorders. Hashimoto’s disease can manifest differently in every person.

The best approach is to undergo regular checkups that assess your general health, which can help diagnose any disorder early.

The earlier you are diagnosed, the higher the probability of treating it successfully.

How is autoimmune thyroiditis diagnosed?

To correctly diagnose Hashimoto’s disease, your physician will perform or refer you to the following:

  • Medical examination: a doctor will study your medical history and ask about your symptoms, as well as about any thyroid gland disorders in your female relatives. The doctor will also check your neck for the presence of a goiter (increased size of the thyroid).
  • Blood tests: one or several parameters might be needed to better understand the situation. Most often, levels of thyroid hormones T3 and T4 are tested as well as the level of thyroid stimulating hormone and the type of anti-thyroid antibodies.
  • Echography of the thyroid gland to measure its size and to discover areas of increased density or nodules, if there are any.

Key takeaways

Autoimmune thyroiditis is difficult to diagnose without professional support, as there are no specific symptoms. However, regular checkups can help you discover Hashimoto’s disease at an early stage.

Don’t ignore your body’s signals: increased anxiety, stress, fatigue, and passiveness can all be signs of developing autoimmune thyroiditis.