Q: Which specialist doctor should I consult for Hashimoto''s disease
A: Consult a Endocrinologist for Hashimoto's disease. You can speak to your general practitioners to refer you to such a doctor.
Q: Is there a cure for Hashimoto''s disease?
A: Levothyroxine used to treat Hashimoto’s ThyroiditisAnd it has to be taken for the entire lifetime of the patient. There is no cure without medications.
Q: Can Hashimoto''s disease be reversed?
A: With medication (levothyroxine), hypothyroidism due to HT can be reversed but there is no cure.
Q: What foods should one avoid when affected with HT?
A: Patients with HT should avoid foods that contain large amounts of iodine (e.g. kelp and other forms of seaweed), soy products, calcium supplements, and iron supplements. Cough syrups and iodine supplements should also be avoided.
Q: What are the other names of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?
A: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is known by names, such as Hashimoto’s disease, autoimmune thyroiditis and chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis.
Q: Can women with HT become pregnant?
A: Yes, women with HT can become pregnant if they take the required medication and monitor their thyroid hormone levels
Q: How is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis detected in the early stages?
A: In people with a family history of HT, the condition may be diagnosed in the early stages due to a mild increase in TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and the presence of antibodies to TPO. Hypothyroidism is not detected since thyroid hormones levels are normal.
Q: Why is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis an autoimmune disorder?
A: In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis the body’s immune cells called lymphocyte get activated against the thyroid gland and attacks it and this leads to chronic inflammation causing thyroiditis. The attacking lymphocytes that cause inflammation also decrease in the thyroxine hormones. The condition is also called chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis.
