Chronic thyroiditis (Hashimoto's disease)

Alternative names:

autoimmune thyroiditis; chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis; Hashimoto's thyroiditis; lymphadenoid goiter; struma lymphomatosa

Definition:

A slowly developing persistent inflammation of the thyroid gland that frequently results in hypothyroidism, a condition of decreased function of the thyroid gland.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Chronic thyroiditis, or Hashimoto's disease, is a common thyroid disorder that can occur at any age, but is most common among middle aged women. The onset is slow and is often not detected. It is caused by a reaction of the immune system against the thyroid gland. The disease may be associated with other autoimmune endocrine disorders such as diabetes mellitus, Addison's disease, hypoparathyroidism, hypopituitarism, Graves' disease, vitiligo, and others. Risk factors are having a family history of thyroid disease, and being a woman. The incidence is 1 out of 10,000 people.