Symptoms of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Health ConditionsThyroid DiseaseHashimoto's Thyroiditis

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Symptoms

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Symptoms
Canva (3); Everyday Health
By
Updated on October 24, 2024
by

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (also called Hashimoto’s disease) is an autoimmune condition that occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. Your thyroid gland, located at the base of your throat, releases hormones that help your body process energy from food and keep things running smoothly. But damage caused by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis can impact your thyroid’s ability to do its job.

In the United States, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), contributing to symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, and constipation.

 Iodine deficiency is the most common cause of hypothyroidism outside the United States, where iodine isn’t added to the food supply.

Symptoms of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis often progresses slowly over many years. As a result, you may not experience any symptoms early on.

A common first symptom of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter). This can cause painless swelling in the lower front of your neck. As time goes on, the goiter may become increasingly uncomfortable and cause problems with swallowing or breathing.

Hashimoto's symptoms are often subtle and can mimic those of other conditions or normal aging. Common symptoms include:

  • Enlarged thyroid (goiter)
  • Fatigue or feeling sluggish
  • Unexplained weight gain
  • Cold intolerance
  • Constipation
  • Mood changes
  • Memory problems or difficulty concentrating
  • Brittle or thinning hair
  • Dry skin 
  • Puffy eyes or face
  • Heavy or irregular periods 
  • Fertility issues
  • Joint stiffness and muscle pain
  • Slowed heart rate

Potential Complications of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Left untreated, Hashimoto's thyroiditis increases your risk for several health complications, such as:

  • Heart issues: high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, and heart failure
  • Mental health issues: depression or reduced mental function
  • Sexual or reproductive issues: inability to ovulate in women or erectile dysfunction in men
  • Pregnancy complications: increased risk of miscarriage or preterm birth
  • Fetal abnormalities: developmental disorders or intellectual disabilities including autism, speech delays, or low IQ
  • Myxedema: a rare but severe condition that slows down your body's functions and requires emergency medical attention

When to See a Doctor

If you experience Hashimoto’s symptoms, talk to your doctor about testing your thyroid function. It’s done with a simple blood test, but isn’t part of routine blood work unless you are at an increased risk of thyroid disease or you’re thinking about getting pregnant.

If you’re diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and hypothyroidism, your doctor will prescribe a daily pill to restore thyroid hormone levels. But it can take some trial and error and frequent visits to find the right dosage. Once you do, regular checkups to monitor your thyroid levels will help your doctor know if your treatment is working or needs to be adjusted.

If you have a case of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis in which your thyroid antibody levels are high but your thyroid hormone levels are normal, you may not need treatment. But it’s still important to schedule regular doctor visits to monitor your symptoms and thyroid hormone levels. If any changes occur, you may need to start treatment.

Work with your doctor to determine the best follow-up schedule.

The Takeaway

  • Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease that damages your thyroid gland and causes hypothyroidism.
  • Hashimoto’s symptoms are subtle and include fatigue, constipation, weight gain, cold intolerance, and changes in the hair or skin.
  • Because these symptoms can resemble those of other health conditions, it's important to see a healthcare professional to undergo testing and create a plan to manage your health.

Resources We Trust

Meet Our Experts
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network
Anna-L-Goldman-bio

Anna L. Goldman, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Anna L. Goldman, MD, is a board-certified endocrinologist. She teaches first year medical students at Harvard Medical School and practices general endocrinology in Boston.

Dr. Goldm...

See full bio
Angela McPhillips

Angela McPhillips, DNP

Author

Angela McPhillips is a registered nurse and doctor of nursing practice with over 15 years of healthcare experience. She earned her nursing degrees from the University of Illinois C...

See full bio
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (Chronic Lymphocytic Thyroiditis or Autoimmune Thyroiditis). American Thyroid Association.
  2. Hashimoto’s Disease. Cleveland Clinic. June 26, 2023.
  3. Hashimoto Disease. Endocrine Society. January 24, 2022.
  4. Hashimoto’s Disease. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. June 2021.
  5. Hashimoto’s Disease. Mayo Clinic. January 15, 2022.