Can Hashimoto's thyroiditis breastfeed?

Written by Xu Dong Dong
Endocrinology
Updated on January 19, 2025
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Patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis can breastfeed. It is important for those in a hyperthyroid phase, especially when taking anti-thyroid medications, to switch to breastfeeding-safe medications beforehand and to regularly monitor thyroid function to ensure it remains within normal limits. Patients in a hypothyroid phase should also regularly monitor their thyroid function and adjust their replacement medication dosage accordingly. Newborns should have their thyroid function and related antibodies regularly tested from birth onwards. (Please medicate under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Tang Zhuo
Endocrinology
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How to test for Hashimoto's thyroiditis?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is a common type of autoimmune thyroid disease and the main cause of primary hypothyroidism. Often, Hashimoto's thyroiditis may present no symptoms, having hidden onset and slow development. Typical symptoms include general fatigue, throat discomfort, localized pressure, or dull pain. Hashimoto's thyroiditis can lead to damage by the autoimmune system, causing permanent hypothyroidism. Diagnosis can be facilitated through thyroid function tests, iodine-131 uptake tests, anti-thyroid antibody tests, thyroid ultrasound, and thyroid nuclear scanning.

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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 Chen Li Ping
Endocrinology
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How is Hashimoto's thyroiditis treated?

After being diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, treatment decisions should be made based on the size of the thyroid and the presence of symptoms. If the thyroid is relatively small and there are no significant compression symptoms, it is possible to follow up and observe without treatment. If the thyroid is significantly enlarged and there are compression symptoms, thyroid hormone preparations can be used to reduce thyroid swelling. If there is hypothyroidism, it is necessary to use thyroid hormone or levothyroxine for supplementary replacement therapy. In cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis with hyperthyroidism, short-term treatment should follow the treatment for Graves' disease, using antithyroid treatments such as thioamides or thioureas. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a physician, and self-medication without guidance is strongly discouraged.)

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Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
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Does Hashimoto's thyroiditis cause fever?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis belongs to autoimmune thyroiditis, where the body's own antibodies destroy the thyroid follicular cells, leading to apoptosis of thyroid cells. As the disease progresses, it may lead to hypothyroidism. Generally, Hashimoto's thyroiditis does not cause fever. If a patient with Hashimoto's thyroiditis experiences a fever, it is necessary to exclude other infectious diseases. If a patient with Hashimoto's thyroiditis has a fever, especially if there is significant tenderness in the thyroid area, it is necessary to exclude the possibility of concomitant subacute thyroiditis. If Hashimoto's thyroiditis is accompanied by subacute thyroiditis, small doses of hormones can be used for treatment. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Chen Xie
Endocrinology
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Is the ESR high in Hashimoto's thyroiditis?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis belongs to autoimmune thyroiditis, which is caused by the presence of autoantibodies that destroy the thyroid follicular cells, leading to the failure of thyroid cells. For patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) generally does not increase. However, if a patient experiences neck discomfort or sore throat, and the ESR increases, even accompanied by fever, it is necessary to rule out whether subacute thyroiditis is present. If the patient has subacute thyroiditis, it indicates that a viral infection has caused the destruction of the thyroid cells, which might increase the ESR.