By
Dr Sanjana
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis is the most common of form of thyroid disorder found especially in the female population of the world. An autoimmune disorder with strong family history of thyroid or other autoimmune disorders.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis an autoimmune disorder is found to be in people who had gone through severe stress for a prolonged period. Autoimmunity is an abnormal immune response by the body in which immune system directs its attack on its own organs and tissues. although there are so many hypotheses &theories are there to elucidate the mystery of autoimmune attack which is still obscure ,the scientific world has accepted that stress is an important contributory and etiological factor which trigger such an abnormal immune response. In chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis thyroid gland is subjected to autoimmune attack raising the level of auto antibodies in serum-antimicrosomal &antithyroglobulin antibodies. stress induced adrenal secretions of cortisol accelerates the condition
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis was first described by a Japanese physician Hakaru Hashimoto. This disorder is characterized by uniformly enlarged thyroid with semi firm or firm consistency .in occasional cases enlargement may be asymmetric or nodular .gland may be infiltrated by lymphocytes . tissues may be degenerated at places and may be replaced by fibrous tissue.
This disorder shows female preponderance with insidious asymptomatic onset . the chief complaint would be goitrous enlargement with pain and tenderness in the beginning. earlier hashimotos thyroiditis patients may show increased thyroid function indicating hyperthyroidism on tft which may ultimately terminate in hypothyroidism.
Hashimotos also presents with bradycardia .fatigue,chilliness , weight gain ,high cholesterol,hypoglycaemia,memory loss,constipation,hairloss,tender neck swelling, menstrual
irregularities etc.
hashimoto’s thyroiditis may be found in association with papillary carcinoma of thyroid though it is not so common.
If untreated hashi may ultimately lead to muscle failure,possible heart failure.
Dignosis of hashi requires strong clinical suspicion in cases presenting with hypothyroidism and tender neck swelling.
Tft may show hyper,euthyroid or hypothyroid state.
Usg reveals thyroditis features.serum may show antithyroid autoantibodies.biopsy confirms with findings of lymphocytic infiltration.
Management.-general-medicinal management is sufficient except in cases with severe pressure symptoms and cases suspicious of malignancy .post surgical hormonal therapy is done in mdern medicine.allopathy.
Homoeopathic management
In medicinally manageable cases well selected homoeopathic constitutional remedy and tinctures stimulating thyroid activity establishes good cure..commonly indicated medicines are calc.carb,natrum mur,lycopodium,lycopus ,etc.
By
Dr Sanjana vb
Consultant
Gandhi holistic hospital.
Calicut, Kerala.
Email: homoeovision@gmail.com