In short, yes, Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease. Also known by the names Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, and chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, Hashimoto’s disease is a disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the thyroid. 

The thyroid is a small gland shaped like a butterfly at the bottom front of the neck. Thyroid hormones T3 and T4 affect all parts of the body by regulating how we use energy (metabolism), controlling body temperature, heart rate and muscle contractions, and influencing brain development.

In people with Hashimoto’s, their body’s immune system makes antibodies (disease-fighting agents) which mistakenly destroy thyroid cells, behaving as if these healthy cells were a bacteria or virus. White blood cells, part of the body’s immune defense response, also accumulate in the thyroid due to this autoimmune disorder.
As a result, the thyroid usually can’t produce enough hormones.

Hashimoto’s disease is a common cause of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) worldwide, and the leading cause of it in the United States. Around 5% of Americans have hypothyroidism.

In rare cases, Hashimoto’s can also lead to hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland) during the early stage of the disease.

What causes Hashimoto’s?

Experts aren’t exactly sure what causes some people to develop Hashimoto’s disease. But it may be due to a combination of:

  • Family medical history
  • Environmental factors (infection, stress, exposure to radiation, or viruses such as hepatitis C)

Hashimoto’s has a tendency to run in families, so if a close relative has it, someone is more likely to get it.

Risk factors

While the precise cause of the disease may not be clear, researchers find that these factors are linked to a higher risk of getting Hashimoto’s:

While the precise cause of the disease may not be clear, researchers find that these factors are linked to a higher risk of getting Hashimoto’s.

What are the Risk Factors of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?

  • Female sex: According to The Autoimmune Association, women are 10 times more likely to have Hashimoto’s than men. 
  • Middle age: While Hashimoto’s can occur at any age, the majority of people diagnosed with this disease are between the ages of 30 and 50. 
  • Another autoimmune disease: People with another type of autoimmune disorder like celiac disease, Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes or lupus are at a higher risk of developing Hashimoto’s.
  • Genes: A family history of thyroid disorders or other autoimmune diseases increases risk for Hashimoto’s too.
  • Past pregnancy: Pregnant people experience changes in immune system function which may be linked to Hashimoto’s.
  • High consumption of iodine: An excessive iodine intake, from the diet or medication such as those used to treat abnormal heart rhythm, may trigger Hashimoto’s in people who are already at risk. 
  • Exposure to environmental toxins: People who spend a lot of time being exposed to environmental radiation, such as workers in mines and nuclear power plants, have a higher risk of getting Hashimoto’s. 

Symptoms

Usually, Hashimoto’s disease develops slowly and the signs are not always noticeable. Over time, the reduction in thyroid hormones can lead to the following symptoms:

  • Weight gain
  • Tiredness
  • Dry skin
  • Hair loss
  • Constipation
  • Tingling in the hands and feet
  • Greater sensitivity to cold 
  • Weak, achy, or stiff muscles
  • Joint pain
  • Depressive mood
  • Concentration or memory problems
  • Weak nails 
  • Heavy or irregular periods
  • Trouble conceiving

Because the signs of Hashimoto’s can vary a lot from person-to-person and could indicate a number of health conditions, be sure to visit your healthcare provider as soon as you experience noticeable changes so you can find the cause and begin treatment.

Some people with Hashimoto’s will need to take medication in order to get the thyroid hormones back in balance (but not all). Leading a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet can also significantly improve the overall health of people affected by Hashimoto’s disease. The good news is that if you follow your doctor’s prescription and live healthfully, Hashimoto’s shouldn’t stop you from feeling well and living life to the fullest.  

To sum up, if you were wondering whether Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease, the answer is yes. Hashimoto’s is a type of autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system produces antibodies and white blood cells that attack and kill thyroid cells by mistake. Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland, usually develops as a result, because the thyroid isn’t able to make the correct amount of hormones.