Autoimmune thyroiditis - what is it, symptoms and treatment
Autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) is an inflammatory disease of the thyroid gland, which is characterized by pathological damage and/or destruction of follicles and follicular cells of the organ. The disease is chronic in nature and accounts for 3% of the total number of thyroid pathologies. According to statistics, it is most often diagnosed in women.
The answer to the question "autoimmune thyroiditis of the thyroid gland - what is it" will be as follows: inflammation of the tissues of the thyroid gland, which occurs in a chronic form and can provoke the development of severe consequences in the absence of treatment.
What is known about the disease
Autoimmune thyroiditis has a genetic etiology, often manifests itself in a family form and is combined with other autoimmune pathologies. The symptoms and treatment of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (the outdated name of the pathology) are well known to doctors, so there are no problems with diagnosis and prescribing therapy.
Postpartum thyroiditis is common, the cause of which is overactivity of the immune system after a period of intense suppression during pregnancy. The causes of the disease postpartum thyroiditis determine the rapid development of pathologies of the thyroid gland, so it often turns into destructive autoimmune thyroiditis.
In addition, the following types of AIT are differentiated:
- painless – passes without a pain syndrome, identical to postpartum thyroiditis, but the causes of its occurrence are still unknown;
- induced - develops against the background of taking interferon drugs, hepatitis C and blood diseases.
Causes of AIT
Among the reasons for the development of the disease:
- excessive content of iodine, chlorine and fluorine in the environment;
- long stay under direct sunlight;
- a history of acute respiratory diseases with complications;
- presence of foci of chronic infections - for example, inflammation of the nasal sinuses, carious teeth;
- violation of the psycho-emotional background.
Symptoms of autoimmune thyroiditis
In almost every case, this disease is asymptomatic. A person simply does not suspect the development of any pathology and therefore does not seek medical help from doctors. Signs of acute thyroiditis:
- unpleasant sensations in the throat;
- pressure is felt in the neck region;
- the thyroid gland significantly increases in size;
- fatigue and weakness even after performing usual work;
- pain syndrome localized in the joints.
How diseases are diagnosed
Autoimmune thyroiditis is detected in the late stages of its development due to the long duration of the symptom-free period. When the patient still goes to the doctor, he can immediately note the diffuse changes of the thyroid gland according to the type of AIT. After listening to the patient's complaints and comparing them with the visible signs of thyroiditis, the doctor can make a preliminary diagnosis. But the final verdict is issued only after an ultrasound or tomography of the thyroid gland. Ultrasound and blood tests for AIT are mandatory procedures. First, they make it possible to accurately diagnose the disease (for example, even differentiate nodular thyroiditis from other types of pathology). Secondly, hormones with hypothyroidism will immediately be detected in the blood, which also allows different pathologies of the thyroid gland to be differentiated and effective treatment prescribed. Thirdly, the diagnosis of subacute thyroiditis, which is asymptomatic, is possible only by examining the patient's blood and studying the results of an ultrasound examination.
Principles of treatment
Neither doctors nor scientists can still decide how to treat chronic autoimmune thyroiditis. The fact is that drugs for correcting the function of the thyroid gland have not yet been developed. But there are some general principles of appointments:
- if there are symptoms of problems with the cardiovascular system, the patient will be prescribed beta-blockers;
- in some cases, it is appropriate to prescribe replacement therapy with levothyroxine;
- glucocorticoids are indicated for use only in case of exacerbation of chronic autoimmune thyroiditis.
Often, as part of the treatment of this disease, doctors make a choice in favor of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, means to increase immunity, vitamins and adaptogens.
The worst thing to expect when diagnosed with AIT is the progression of hypothyroidism. Autoimmune thyroiditis does not require specific treatment, it is enough to "quench" the exacerbation and control the production of hormones by the thyroid gland. Doctors claim: if patients with AIT are under medical control and follow all the appointments and recommendations of specialists, then with such a disease it is possible to live a long and relatively healthy life without severe restrictions.
More details about the consequences of autoimmune thyroiditis in children, principles of treatment and doctors who deal with similar problems can be found on the pages of our site Dobrobut.com.
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