Hashimoto thyroiditis

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Hashimoto thyroiditis is chronic, autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid.

Hashimoto thyroiditis results when the body attacks the cells of the thyroid gland—an autoimmune reaction.
At first, the thyroid gland may function normally, be underactive (hypothyroidism) or, rarely, overactive (hyperthyroidism)
Most people eventually develop hypothyroidism.
People with hypothyroidism usually feel tired and cannot tolerate cold.
The diagnosis is based on results of a physical examination and blood tests.
People with hypothyroidism need to take thyroid hormone for the rest of their life.

(See also Overview of the Thyroid Gland.)
Thyroiditis refers to any inflammation of the thyroid gland. Inflammation of the thyroid may be caused by a viral infection or an autoimmune disorder.
Hashimoto thyroiditis is the most common type of thyroiditis and the most common cause of hypothyroidism. For unknown reasons, the body turns against itself (an autoimmune reaction). The thyroid is invaded by white blood cells, and antibodies are created that attack the thyroid gland (antithyroid antibodies).
In about 50% of people with Hashimoto thyroiditis, the thyroid is underactive initially. In most of the rest, the thyroid is normal at first (although in a small number of people, the gland initially becomes overactive), after which it usually becomes underactive.
Some people with Hashimoto thyroiditis have other endocrine disorders, such as diabetes, an underactive adrenal gland, or underactive parathyroid glands, and other autoimmune disorders, such as pernicious anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, Sj