Autoimmune thyroiditis

Causes and symptoms of autoimmune thyroiditis

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What is autoimmune thyroiditis?

Autoimmune thyroiditis is a chronic disease of the thyroid gland, which is characterized by autoimmune inflammation, often resulting in hypothyroidism. On top of that autoimmune thyroiditis in our time is considered the most common of the thyroid diseases. According to data published in the newspaper "Medical Newspaper" (№ 73, September 2005), approximately 50% of all women aged 30 to 50 years suffer from autoimmune thyroiditis. This figure in some other regions reaches 85 %. Among applicants for medical care of patients with endocrine diseases almost half of it suffers from autoimmune thyroiditis – both in standalone form and accompanied by other diseases. Statistics show that in 50% of cases with relatives of patients suffering from autoimmune thyroiditis, there is circulating antibodies to the thyroid gland. Or in the same family have other autoimmune diseases such as pernicious anaemia, autoimmune primary gipokortitsizm, chronic autoimmune hepatitis, diabetes mellitus type I, vitiligo, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.

The symptoms of autoimmune thyroiditis

Needless to say those patients suffering from autoimmune thyroiditis, but with preserved function of the gland? Such patients don't complain to their health. But still some symptoms of autoimmune thyroiditis is a feeling of discomfort in the neck, the person feels discomfort when wearing high collar, scarf or shawl. Quite the opposite – when there is hypothyroidism.

The appearance of the patient. What makes a sick person with autoimmune thyroiditis and hypothyroidism?

In appearance such a patient qualified know immediately at the first appearance of it in the office.

Usually such a patient slow motion. Complexion – pale with a yellowish tinge, puffy face, rough facial features, eyelids swollen. On his pale face flushed on the cheeks and the tip of the nose in the form of red spots.

The hair is sparse and fragile, often falling out in patches, the result is a receding hairline. Loss of hair is observed not only in brain but also in the armpits and pubic area. Found the symptom of Hertoge, that is hair loss outerthird of the eyebrows.

In conversation there is a lack of facial expression, the face doesn't change expression. The person speaks slowly and chooses his words barely remembers the names of phenomena and objects. Speaking gibberish, like "porridge in the mouth about it." Such a disruption in speech occurs due to swelling of the tongue. Language becomes a big, thick, on the sides there are traces of teeth. Also occurs swelling of the mucous membranes of the nose, the patient has to breathe through the mouth. Quite often he suffers from shortness of breath. The skin of such a patient is dry and pale, its elasticity is reduced, it has a yellowish tint, sometimes forms coarse folds. When feeling the skin is rough and cold. Possible dry plaque (xerosis) and cracks on the elbows and soles.

Complaints. Typically, the patient complained of pronounced fatigue, poor performance and constant desire to sleep. You should pay attention to the memory loss and change of voice (it becomes hoarse).

Often the patient complains of the impossibility of an independent chair, has to resort to a laxative tools and enemas.

Women are often disturbed menstrual cycle. Menses delayed for several days or weeks. Menstruation is scarce. Happen uterine bleeding. Such as menstrual disorders may cause the development of amenorrhea is the complete cessation of menstruation. In the end, develops infertility. Some patients are troubled by discharge from the nipple of the breast, breast.

Men concerned about the decrease in sex drive and impotence.

A common symptom of thyroiditis is a dry mouth in the morning without a pronounced thirst. In the case when this disease affects a child, it usually lags well behind their peers in growth and mental development. From the foregoing it can be concluded that the complaints and appearance of patients with autoimmune hypothyroidism tiraditos and quite eloquent.

On topic: Effective nutritional method of treatment of autoimmune diseases

Causes of postpartum autoimmune thyroiditis

The cause of postpartum thyroiditis is excessive reactivation of the immune system after natural gestational immunosuppression (rebound effect), which in persons with a predisposition (carriers of at-TPO) leads to destructive autoimmune thyroiditis.

Factors that provoke painless ("silent") thyroiditis is unknown. This type of destructive autoimmune thyroiditis is a complete analogue of postpartum. However, developing it independentlyfrom pregnancy. The reason for the development of cytokine-induced thyroiditis may be the appointment of the interferon. However, a direct temporal relationship between development of thyroiditis and duration of interferon therapy are not seen. Thyroiditis may develop as early treatment with this drug, and after it – after a month or more.