The thyroid, located at the base of your neck, is responsible for producing the hormones that coordinate your body’s daily activities.
Symptoms of the disease include fatigue, sudden weight gain, hoarse voice, depression and a goiter, which is swelling and inflammation of the thyroid gland. Goiters, once they become too big, must be surgically removed.
It’s unknown what exactly triggers Hashimoto’s, but doctors believe heredity, age and sex play a role in the disease.
Those diagnosed with Hashimoto’s are usually treated with a synthetic hormone called Synthroid, which mimics the hormones no longer being produced by the thyroid gland.
However, if left untreated, Hashimoto’s can lead to more severe health issues – such as heart failure, myxedema and birth defects for pregnant women.