Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disorder first described in 1912 by the Japanese physician Hashimoto Hakaru. The disorder is centered in the thyroid gland, an endocrine gland located beneath the larynx in the throat that secretes a number of different hormones that are chiefly involved in metabolism and growth.

Many individuals who have Hashimoto’s disease do not display symptoms, though testing of their blood may indicate that the thyroid hormones in their system are imbalanced. In others, goiter and other symptoms that are associated with hypothyroidism, such as fatigue, weakness, weight gain, hair loss, dry skin, and intolerance to cold, develop very gradually. In such cases, the goiter is caused by the infiltration of the thyroid by lymphocytes, which begin to slowly damage the gland, leading to the development of scar tissue and decreased functionality of the thyroid.

Also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, Hashimoto’s disease affects individuals of all ages, but is most prevalent in females 30 to 50 years old. In fact, the disease, similar to most other autoimmune disorders, is vastly more common in women than men, affecting them at approximately a 20 to 1 ratio. The reason for this disproportionately gendered distribution of Hashimoto’s disease is not fully understood, but some studies suggest that it may be associated with the effects of fluctuating hormones on immunoreactivity. Overall incidence of Hashimoto’s disease is estimated to be about 1 out of every 10,000 people.

Hashimoto’s Disease at 20x Magnification - Occasionally Hashimoto’s disease will improve spontaneously without treatment, but oftentimes hormone therapy is necessary to provide relief.

Hashimoto’s Disease at 10x Magnification - Surgery may be recommended in some cases of Hashimoto’s disease, primarily when goiter development has progressed so far that the growth is unusually large.

Hashimoto’s Disease at 4x Magnification - One of the primary risk factors for developing Hashimoto’s disease is a familial predisposition for thyroid problems.