Fatigue from Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Anyone who is constantly tired, wonders what it is. In addition to iron deficiency, stress or even bad diseases such as cancer, autoimmune diseases of the thyroid such as Hashimoto are often the cause. Although doctors emphasize that patients also have this condition „to become old“ can, however, be recognized as early as possible in order to prevent consequential damage.

Autoimmune thyroid disease
People who suffer from constant fatigue often attribute this to possible iron deficiency or stress at work. Behind it can also be an autoimmune thyroid disease. The Rhinelander Barbara Schulte did not find it strange that she was often tired because her job was stressful. Only years later did she get her findings. According to a report by the news agency dpa, Schulte, who today is chairwoman of the German Thyroid League in Bonn, says: „I have Hashimoto“.

Thyroid is destroyed
The disease, which is called completely Hashimoto's thyroiditis, was named after the Japanese physician Hakaru Hashimoto, who first described it around 1912. Other names are autoimmune thyroiditis or chronic thyroiditis. „Both the cells of the immune system, the T cells, and the antibody formation are activated by so-called B cells“, explained Prof. Karl-Michael Derwahl from the Department of Internal Medicine at the Alexian St. Hedwig Hospital in Berlin. The exact factors that lead to the outbreak of Hashimoto are not well understood. In addition to a familial (genetic) bias, stress, severe viral diseases and environmental effects or, more recently, excessive iodine intake are also discussed as possible triggers. According to the German Nuclear Medicine Association (BDN), Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common autoimmune disease. „As a result, there is an increasing destruction of the thyroid gland“, so dubbing. This process happens creeping and painless.

Women are affected much more frequently than men
There are fewer thyroid hormones produced the more the thyroid gland is destroyed. Then the disease is manifested by a hypothyroidism. The symptoms that Ms. Schulte also felt include depression, weight gain, constipation, nocturnal sweating and just tiredness. According to Derwahl, women are three to four times more likely to be affected than men, and due to a genetic predisposition, Hashimoto's thyroiditis is familial. Schulte recommends: „If someone in the family is ill, all other family members should be examined as well.“

Diagnosis by blood test and ultrasound
Those who have the mentioned complaints should also be tested. The expert advises to examine the blood without symptoms during check-up: „Why should one wait until symptoms show and the thyroid becomes more and more destroyed??“ The diagnosis is made by blood test and ultrasound. When the value of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is elevated, it shows the hypofunction of the thyroid gland. Even if the destruction of the thyroid gland can not be stopped by medication, at least the effect is easily treatable. It's about supplying the body with the missing hormones. For this, the thyroid hormone levothyroxine, also called L-thyroxine, is given. „A tablet taken with a glass of water the day before breakfast is usually sufficient“, so dubbing. And this for a lifetime.

Avoid increased iodine intake
„Nevertheless, some of the patients do not feel well, although the hormone balance is balanced according to the laboratory values“, explained the chairman of the BDN, Prof. Detlef Moka. Selenium can help in such cases. The trace element is indispensable for the function of the thyroid gland and alleviates the inflammatory activities and balances the immune system. „The patients feel fitter, the general condition improves.“ However, this is only possible in patients whose antibody concentration is very high. Patients should avoid increased intake of iodine as it could fuel the autoimmune process. „A stay on the North or Baltic Sea, the occasional food of sea fish has, according to today's knowledge, no influence on the course of the disease“, so dubbing.

Adjust dose of medication
Schulte advises: „Twice a year, the value of the control hormone TSH should be checked.“ This is because changes can occur in the course of the disease. Then the dose of the medication can be adjusted. This is also the case in women with Hashimoto's during menopause, when the estrogen level drops. Since estrogen is considered a TSH predator, women taking Hashimoto taking the pill should have their TSH regularly monitored. And pregnant women must be optimally adjusted in an under-function, otherwise developmental problems threaten the child.

Hashimoto does not always come alone
In addition, Hashimoto's thyroiditis sometimes occurs simultaneously with other autoimmune diseases. Among other things with type 1 diabetes, celiac disease (gluten allergy) or white spot disease. Barbara Schulte, for example, suffers from pernicious anemia, anemia due to a severe deficiency of vitamin B12. Nevertheless, she encourages all concerned and said, who is well-adjusted, live without pain: „Hashimoto is not a bad condition, you just have to recognize it soon enough.“ (Ad)