Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease that causes the thyroid gland to slowly deteriorate. The immune system mistakes the thyroid gland as a foreign invader and creates antibodies to attack it, leading to devastating impacts throughout the body. The thyroid gland is an essential endocrine organ that weighs around 25g and is situated near the trachea. Hashimoto’s disease is known to cause hypothyroidism, which results in the thyroid gland being unable to produce necessary hormones such as thyroxine, T4, tetraiodothyronine, and triiodothyronine.

The prevalence of Hashimoto’s disease is more common among women than men, with a ratio of 7:1. The risk factors for the disease include genes, hormones, excessive iodine intake, and family history. A lower iodine consumption diet can lower the chances of developing Hashimoto’s disease, while radiation exposure raises the incidence among individuals. Nevertheless, smoking does not contribute significantly to the likelihood of developing Hashimoto’s disease.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder that leads to severe hypothyroidism and thyr o id enlargement, or goiter. Patients may exhibit clinical manifestations such as pale and cool skin with edema, goiter, weight gain, lethargy, slow intellectual function, enlarged heart, and bradycardia. The immune system's attack may lead to complications such as pernicious anemia, vitiligo, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and other autoimmune conditions. Diagnosis of Hashimoto’s disease involves testing for anti-thyroid antibodies and measuring blood levels of T3, T4, and serum TSH levels while using scans to examine the presence of nodules or tumors.

Gabriela interviewed her mother, who is 58 years old and was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease eight years ago after a physician ran tests. The disease's prognosis varies between individuals, and it is crucial to adhere to treatment to prevent complications.

Does the individual’s other medical conditions have any impact on their chosen disorder? Certainly yes, Hashimoto’s disease may lead to complications such as joint stiffness.

How does the disorder affect the individual’s daily routine? As an example, my mother has to be cautious when holding things as she loses strength and experiences inflamed joints. She has to be very selective with her food choices and her diet has changed. Simple activities such as bending over to tie her shoelaces can cause immense pain. Everyday tasks such as getting out of bed may cause fatigue and carrying her purse at the mall can hurt her hand. After being diagnosed, my mother decreased her intake of high-sugar drinks and eliminated red meat from her diet. Her intake of supplements has helped in reducing constipation. While the initial medication was helpful, it caused nausea. Therefore, she now takes over-the-counter supplements to relieve inflammation.

How does the disorder affect the individual’s outlook on life? Over time, the inflammation has caused visible deformities on her hands, affecting her self-esteem. However, with time, she has learned to accept and live with the disease's various manifestations. Nevertheless, she still worries about being a burden to me as I am an only child.

How does the individual cope with the disease? My mother now incorporates stretches and takes naps when necessary to cope with her constant fatigue. Although she faces difficulties in gripping onto heavy objects, she remains optimistic. Despite residing an hour away in Plainfield, I try to keep in touch with her as frequently as possible, considering my school and full-time job. While she faces challenges, she has found inexpensive homeopathic remedies that have been helping her immensely.

References

Hubert, R. J., & VanMeter, K. C. (2017). Gould's pathophysiology for the health professions (6th ed.). Saunders.

Saladin, K. S. (2020). Anatomy & Physiology: The Unity of Form and Function (9th Edition). McGraw-Hill Higher Education (US). https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781260791563