Signs and symptoms of Hashimoto's Disease can appear suddenly and without warning
The symptoms of Hashimoto's are similar to those of other thyroid disorders, but often go unnoticed for months. Many of the symptoms are similar to those of other diseases as well, but you may not realize that there is an underlying problem. Symptoms of Hashimoto's Disease include:
The symptoms of this disease can appear suddenly and without warning, but you do not necessarily need to see your doctor to confirm the diagnosis. You can check out a good online thyroid website or a health care provider in your area, if you so choose. If symptoms do not go away after two weeks of treatment, then it is important to visit your doctor.
Signs of Hashimoto's Disease may be vague, but are often associated with a thyroid disorder. In fact, many patients do not have clear-cut manifestations of a thyroid problem or even an understanding of what is causing the signs of their thyroid problems.
Symptoms of Hashimoto's can include: an increase in weight gain, fatigue, fever, muscle weakness, weight loss and a decreased appetite, skin rashes, an abnormal growth of hair in the head, unexplained weight gain or loss, fatigue, and a decrease in energy. Some patients with Hashimoto's Disease experience the symptoms above and others may only experience some or all of these symptoms. Patients with Hashimoto's Disease may experience any or all of these symptoms for several weeks.
An abnormal growth of hair in the head (hypothyroidism) is also one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism, but because of its close relationship to hyperthyroidism, it should not be confused with the latter. While hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism share many of the same symptoms, they have different treatments. When the symptoms of a particular condition are similar in both types, the two conditions should be evaluated by a doctor.
Because Hashimoto's Disease attacks the thyroid gland, any imbalance can cause symptoms that resemble other thyroid conditions. While hyperthyroidism causes rapid weight gain and weight loss, hypothyroidism causes slowed weight gain and weight loss. Similarly, when the symptoms of hyperthyroidism include enlarged thyroid nodules, the symptoms of hypothyroidism may include enlarged lymph nodes, enlarged spleen, enlarged lymph glands, decreased growth, and a change in skin color.
People with Hashimoto's Disease may experience a slow and gradual decline in their immune system and may experience frequent headaches. They may feel fatigued and tired. They may develop swelling in their feet and hands, or in the armpit or groin area.
While there are many natural treatments available for treating this condition, many people decide to treat it with medication
There is no cure, and treatment depends upon the severity of the condition. Most doctors will start treatment with a doctor-prescribed medication to boost the immune system and control the infection.
Some medications used for treating this disease include: Lamisil (Tenofovir), Diflucan (Dilantin), Reglan (Reglan), Miconazole (Imuran), or Terbinafine (Terbinafine hydrochloride). All of these medicines are given as a pill, taken once or twice a day, to control an infection that has begun in the thyroid gland.
Thyroid surgery is also sometimes done in order to remove the thyroid and the cause of the problem. This is usually performed during an outpatient procedure, which usually takes between three and eight hours. The surgery is followed by medication to prevent future problems from developing.
Thyroid surgery involves cutting and reshaping the thyroid gland so that it functions properly. The incisions can be made on the side of the neck or under the arm to get to the thyroid, or the entire gland.
In the United States, approximately fifteen percent of patients experience complications such as leaky ears or severe breathing difficulty after surgery to remove the thyroid. The most common complication of Hashimoto's Disease is pneumonia because the leaky ears may make it difficult to hear.