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Thyreoiditis Hashimoto

The number of Thyreoiditis Hashimoto patients is increasing rapidly - but the diagnosis is often not made. We rely on a comprehensive laboratory diagnosis using all the available thyroid markers as well as an immune status.

Hashimoto Thyreoiditis (syn. Struma lymphomatosa Hashimoto, lymphocytic Thyreoiditis and Ord-Thyreoiditis) is an auto immune disease which leads to a chronic infection of the thyroid glands. This illness, which is the result of a misdirected immune process, destroys the thyroid gland tissue. Research shows that antibodies are formed which attack the body’s thyroid gland. This disease is named after the Japanese doctor Hakaru Hashimoto (1881–1934), who was the first to describe it in 1912.

Due to the possible initial hyper-function of the thyroid glands, a number of symptoms may be present: nervousness, irritability, restlessness, trembling hands, sleeping disorders, sweating, palpitations and racing heart, cardiac arrhythmia, clammy warm skin, ravenous appetite and thirst, weight loss despite good appetite and disruptions during the menstruation cycle (irregular and stronger periods, absence of regular period).

In the long term, these symptoms are replaced by thyroid glands sub-function indicators:

low body temperature, increased cold sensitivity, edema (swelling through water storage, especially near the eyelid, face, extremities), lump in the throat, feeling of pressure on or in the throat, feeling on strangulation (may come in phases), repeated clearing of throat and slight coughing, hoarse or croaky voice (vocal cord oedema), depressed mood, loss of motivation and drive, muscular weakness, dry, cracked skin and resulting itching, dry mucous membranes, fragmented hair and nails, hair loss, rapid and strong (nearly uncontrolled) weight gain, nausea, indigestion, growth disorder, cardiac enlargement, slower heart beat, decreased libido, changes in female period, eye diseases (endocrine orbitopathy), joint pains, concentration and memory problems, fatigue.

The symptoms are diverse and - in particular at the start of the illness - difficult to determine due to the constant change between hyper- and sub-function of the thyroid glands. Sub-function symptoms can already appear in subclinical (still classed as euthyreot) values. Since the individual scope is much smaller than the statistical evaluations of the laboratory standard. Even subclinical values can result in a loss of quality of life.

Nitro stress and oxidative stress: Along with the routine laboratory values, we also measure the oxidative and nitrosative stress levels, which are equal candidates as migraine causes.

Heavy metal toxicity can also have an affect on the thyroid glands and needs to be verified and, if necessary, treated.

Measures based on the five pillars of Chinese Medicine such as acupuncture, acupressure(Tuina) and herbaltherapies can strengthen body and mind.