Your thyroid gland is a bow-shaped gland near the base of your throat. This gland produces thyroid hormones. These hormones influence important body processes such as temperature, energy levels and growth.

What is Hashimoto's disease?

Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune condition. In Hashimoto's disease, your body's immune system attacks your thyroid gland, preventing it from producing enough thyroid hormones. Your thyroid gland may become noticeably larger - this is called a goitre. Or it may shrink. Lumps or nodules may also develop in your thyroid gland.

Causes of Hashimoto's disease

The cause of Hashimoto's disease is unknown. There is no known way to prevent it. The condition may run in families.

Symptoms of Hashimoto's disease

Hashimoto's disease can gradually cause a lack of thyroid hormones, which is known as hypothyroidism. The symptoms might be mild or they might be severe. They include:

• tiredness and needing more sleep than usual
• being unable to stand the cold
• depression or low mood
• inability to concentrate
• weight gain
• constipation
• pain in the muscles
• dry skin
• thin hair
• enlarged thyroid
• low libido (in men or women).

Diagnosis of Hashimoto's disease

If you think you have symptoms of hypothyroidism, see your doctor. They will examine you and probably run blood tests, including testing your hormone levels.

Hashimoto's disease treatment

While there is no cure for Hashimoto's disease, hypothyroidism itself can be treated.

You may need thyroid hormone replacement treatment for life. You will probably need to have your thyroid hormone levels checked regularly so that your doctor can adjust the treatment if necessary.

Complications of Hashimoto's disease

If left untreated, hypothyroidism can lead to problems including goitre (an increase in the size of the thyroid gland), heart problems, or mental health problems. Occasionally, it is life-threatening.