Autoimmune thyroiditis is a thyroid disease. It is worth noting that it is it that is more common in children and in women of sixty years old. If you believe the statistics, then every tenth woman has this disease.
Autoimmune thyroiditis (or Hashimoto's lymphocytic goiter) has several forms. It can be a chronic autoimmune thyroiditis. Its treatment then should be carried out throughout life. This form of the disease is characterized by diffuse enlargement of the thyroid gland of the second or third degree. As a rule, in this case, there is no violation of the basic functions of the thyroid gland, however, hypothyroidism, as well as thyrotoxicosis , can occur.
The second form of the disease is hypertrophic autoimmune thyroiditis, the treatment of which in all cases should be carried out under the supervision of an experienced doctor. This form of the disease suggests that the thyroid gland acquires a greater density, it becomes diffuse, its functions have not yet been violated, but hypothyroidism, as well as thyrotoxicosis, are observed.
Finally, it is worth noting the third stage, the third form of this disease is atrophic autoimmune thyroiditis, the treatment of which is the most difficult and lengthy. This form involves an enlargement of the thyroid gland, but at the time of examination its volume may not be increased. If we talk about functionality, then there is hypothyroidism.
Before treating, it is worthwhile to find out what are the causes of the appearance of a disease such as autoimmune thyroiditis. Its treatment should be carried out only under the strict guidance of the attending physician, otherwise you can aggravate an already difficult situation.
So, as you know, the immune system in the human body is the most important. Its importance lies in the development of antibodies that help the thyroid gland. With the disease "autoimmune thyroiditis", as a rule, antibodies to thyroglobulin, as well as to thyroid peroxidase, which has another name - microsomal antigen, are detected during the examination.
Autoimmune thyroiditis, the treatment of which should begin from the first days of its detection, manifests itself in the so-called familial forms of the disease. That is why it is worth approaching treatment very carefully and carefully: it is impossible to tighten in any case.
The course of the disease depends on how the autoimmune process takes place . The disease can slow down, but this will only happen if it lasts a long time. If antithyroid antibodies appear, then they are not enough to damage the thyroid gland. According to many experts, the cells that provide immunity at the cellular level play an important role in the pathogenesis of the disease. As previously believed, the mere penetration of antigens into the blood for the development of the disease is not enough. If we talk about subacute thyroiditis, then with its development there is a constant release of antigens into the blood, but this is not the root cause of the development of autoimmune processes.
If you look at the relatives of patients with autoimmune thyroiditis, then you can identify some other diseases, such as toxic goiter, anemia, diabetes in insulin-dependent form, adrenal insufficiency, and so on. As a rule, autoimmune thyroiditis, the treatment of which should begin immediately, is not detected immediately. The diagnosis is made only after some laboratory tests. An important role is played by a genetic predisposition to this disease. In no case should you self-medicate. It is worth immediately contacting a specialist. Of course, sometimes the sentences “autoimmune thyroiditis: treatment with folk remedies” seem more attractive, however, this is not a panacea. The disease should be treated only under the supervision of a doctor.