Does Hashimoto's thyroiditis require medication?

Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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Hashimoto's thyroiditis refers to the destruction of thyroid tissue by autoimmune cells. Therefore, during the course of the disease, three states of thyroid function can be manifested: hyperthyroidism, euthyroid state, and hypothyroidism. When the patient presents with hyperthyroidism, it is possible to treat with anti-thyroid drugs, but the dosage of the anti-thyroid drugs should be reduced. When thyroid function is normal, no special treatment is needed, and regular thyroid function testing is sufficient. When there is concurrent hypothyroidism, thyroid hormone replacement therapy is required to achieve clinical healing.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
Endocrinology
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Does Hashimoto's thyroiditis need to be treated?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease. Whether it requires treatment mainly depends on whether thyroid function is normal. If the thyroid function is normal in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, treatment is not needed; only regular monitoring of thyroid function is necessary. If Hashimoto's thyroiditis is accompanied by reduced thyroid function, then thyroid hormone replacement therapy is needed. If there is a history of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, it is essential to regularly monitor thyroid function and, under the guidance of a doctor, determine whether medication is necessary.

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Written by Zhao Xin Lan
Endocrinology
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Hashimoto's thyroiditis symptoms

In the early stages, when the autoimmune destruction from Hashimoto's thyroiditis is not particularly severe and does not cause either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, there may be no symptoms at all. As the immune response intensifies and leads to increased destruction of thyroid cells, transient thyrotoxicosis can occur, resulting in symptoms such as heat intolerance, trembling hands, and palpitations. The duration of these symptoms is related to the severity of the destruction. Generally, symptomatic relief can be achieved by administering beta-blockers. In the later stages, when the destruction of thyroid function in Hashimoto's is exacerbated, leading to hypothyroidism, symptoms such as cold intolerance, fatigue, and hair loss may occur. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
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How to cure Hashimoto's thyroiditis?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is characterized by autoimmune antibodies destroying the thyroid gland, leading to a gradual decline in thyroid function and manifesting symptoms of hypothyroidism. Currently, this disease is incurable. Treatment mainly includes restricting iodine intake to keep it within a safe range to prevent the progression of autoimmune destruction of the thyroid. Patients who only have thyroid swelling without hypothyroidism generally do not require treatment. However, once hypothyroidism occurs, it can be treated with levothyroxine to alleviate the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Nevertheless, current levothyroxine treatment cannot stop the progression of the disease. When the thyroid swells rapidly with local pain or compressive symptoms, treatment with glucocorticoids can be considered. However, if the symptoms do not improve or the compressive symptoms are significant, surgical treatment may be considered, although the likelihood of developing hypothyroidism post-surgery is higher.

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Written by Tang Zhuo
Endocrinology
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How is Hashimoto's thyroiditis treated?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a chronic autoimmune disease and is the most common form of thyroid inflammation clinically. It can be diagnosed through thyroid function tests, iodine-131 uptake tests, thyroid antibody tests, and ultrasound examinations. If there are changes in imaging or if serum anti-thyroglobulin antibodies and anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies are positive, a diagnosis can be confirmed. Regarding treatment, if thyroid function is normal in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, no treatment is necessary, but close monitoring and observation are advised. If Hashimoto's thyroiditis is accompanied by transient hyperthyroidism, symptomatic treatment with beta-blockers can be administered. If there is a decrease in thyroid gland function, thyroid hormone replacement therapy should be initiated, typically with levothyroxine tablets, until thyroid function tests return to normal. Additionally, daily care is important, such as avoiding high doses of iodine intake, maintaining regular sleep patterns, avoiding staying up late, maintaining a positive and optimistic mood, avoiding anxiety and stress, preventing common cold and trauma infections, and ensuring a balanced diet with high protein, low fat, high carbohydrate, and high vitamin content.

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Written by Li Hui Zhi
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Can you get pregnant with Hashimoto's thyroiditis?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis can lead to pregnancy, but the prerequisite is that you must visit an endocrinology specialist before pregnancy to check your thyroid function, ensuring that the TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) is controlled below 2.5. This situation is suitable for pregnancy because if TSH is greater than 2.5, it is likely to have a certain impact on the fetus's intelligence. Therefore, if you have Hashimoto's thyroiditis and are planning to conceive, you first need to check the thyroid function. If this indicator is normal, then you can consider pregnancy.