Hashimoto's thyroiditis facts for kids
Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a common autoimmune disease. It's also called chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. This happens when your body's own defense system, called the immune system, mistakenly attacks your thyroid gland.
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of your neck. It makes important hormones that control how your body uses energy. These hormones affect almost every part of your body, including your heart, brain, and metabolism.
In Hashimoto's thyroiditis, your immune system creates special proteins called antibodies. These antibodies are supposed to fight off germs, but in this case, they attack the healthy cells of your thyroid gland. Over time, this attack can damage the thyroid, making it unable to produce enough hormones. This condition is called hypothyroidism.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis was the first disease ever described as an autoimmune condition. It was first identified by a Japanese specialist named Hakaru Hashimoto in Germany in 1912.
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What is the Thyroid Gland?
The thyroid gland is like a tiny factory in your neck. It produces hormones that act as messengers, telling your body how fast to work. Think of it as the "gas pedal" for your body's energy. These hormones help control your growth, how quickly you burn calories, and even your body temperature.
When your thyroid works well, your body has the right amount of energy. If it makes too many hormones, you might feel very energetic or anxious. If it doesn't make enough, you might feel tired and sluggish.
Understanding Autoimmune Diseases
Your immune system is amazing! It protects you from sickness by finding and destroying harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses. It learns to tell the difference between these invaders and your own healthy body parts.
But sometimes, the immune system gets confused. In an autoimmune disease, it mistakenly thinks that a part of your own body is a threat. So, it starts to attack healthy cells and tissues. This is what happens in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland.
How Hashimoto's Affects You
When the immune system attacks the thyroid, it can cause inflammation and damage. This damage makes it harder for the thyroid to produce enough hormones. When your body doesn't have enough thyroid hormones, many of its functions slow down.
This can lead to a condition called hypothyroidism. It means your thyroid is "underactive."
Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms of Hashimoto's thyroiditis often develop slowly over time. They can be different for everyone. Some common signs that your thyroid might not be working well include:
- Feeling very tired or sluggish
- Gaining weight without trying
- Feeling cold, even when others are warm
- Having dry skin or hair
- Feeling sad or down
- Having trouble concentrating
- Muscle aches or stiffness
If you experience these symptoms, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Doctors can usually diagnose Hashimoto's thyroiditis with a simple blood test. This test checks the levels of thyroid hormones and also looks for the specific antibodies that attack the thyroid. Sometimes, an ultrasound of the thyroid gland is also done to see its size and structure.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis is usually treated with medication. This medicine is a synthetic (man-made) version of the thyroid hormone your body needs. Taking this medicine daily helps to replace the hormones your thyroid isn't making. It helps to bring your hormone levels back to normal, which can relieve symptoms and help you feel better. This treatment is usually lifelong.
Who Gets Hashimoto's?
Hashimoto's thyroiditis is more common in girls and women than in boys and men. It can happen at any age, but it's most often found in middle-aged women. If someone in your family has Hashimoto's or another autoimmune disease, you might have a slightly higher chance of getting it too.
Images for kids
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Ultrasound imaging of the thyroid gland (right lobe longitudinal) in a person with Hashimoto thyroiditis
See also
In Spanish: Tiroiditis de Hashimoto para niños
