April 23, 2012
Hashimoto’s Disease
Things unfold inside us as we age like a rose blooms petal by petal...
Hashimoto’s Disease
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PCOS Lady
Years ago a woman had messaged me asking if you could have PCOS and Hashimoto’s disease… Back then (2003-2004) research had not mentioned them together… Today the two are connected… There was little online then about Hashimoto’s disease, she learned from her doctor….
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Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid. It also is called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (theye-royd-EYET-uhss). Hashimoto’s disease does not have unique signs and symptoms. The disease typically progresses slowly over a number of years and causes chronic thyroid damage, leading to a drop in thyroid hormone levels in your blood. The signs and symptoms are mainly those of an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism).
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The signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism vary widely, depending on the severity of hormone deficiency. At first, you may barely notice any symptoms, such as fatigue and sluggishness, or you may simply attribute them to getting older. But as the disease progresses, you may develop more obvious signs and symptoms.
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Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
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~ Fatigue and sluggishness
~ Increased sensitivity to cold
~ Constipation
~ Pale, dry skin
~ A puffy face
~ Hoarse voice
~ An elevated blood cholesterol level
~ Unexplained weight gain — occurring infrequently and rarely exceeding 10 to 20 pounds, most of which is fluid
~ Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness, especially in your shoulders and hips
~ Pain and stiffness in your joints and swelling in your knees or the small joints in your hands and feet
~ Muscle weakness, especially in your lower extremities
~ Excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia)
~ Depression
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Without treatment, signs and symptoms gradually become more severe and your thyroid gland may become enlarged (goiter).
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Consult your doctor if you develop these signs and symptoms:
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~ Tiredness for no apparent reason
~ Dry skin
~ Pale, puffy face
~ Constipation
~ Hoarse voice
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Have periodic testing of your thyroid function if:
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~ You’ve had thyroid surgery
~ You’ve had treatment with radioactive iodine or anti-thyroid medications
~ You’ve had radiation therapy to your head, neck or upper chest
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NOTES
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~ High blood cholesterol might be caused by hypothyroidism. And if you’re receiving hormone therapy for hypothyroidism caused by
~ Hashimoto’s disease can cause hypothyroidism….
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SITES
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http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hashimotos-disease/DS00567/DSECTION=symptoms
~ Mayo Clinic…
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http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/hashimoto-disease.cfm
~ * Women’s Health … Fact Sheet
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http://thyroid.about.com/cs/hypothyroidism/a/hashivshypo.htm
~ * About.com Thyroid Disease … Hashimoto’s vs. Hypothyroidism: What’s the Difference?
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GOOGLE:
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PCOS Lady 