Definition
Hashimoto's disease (or thyroiditis) refers to a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting the thyroid, a small gland located at the base of the neck, implicated in the synthesis of very important hormones (T3 and T4). In Hashimoto's disease there is an attack on the thyroid by the immune system itself, responsible for the hormonal imbalance (hypothyroidism).
Causes
The main cause of Hashimoto's disease is due to an uncontrolled reaction of the immune system against the thyroid gland: it is therefore an autoimmune disorder. In some cases, Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the result of endocrine disorders, adrenal insufficiency, type I diabetes mellitus, hypoparathyroidism. Risk factors: advanced age, repeated fungal infections (unproven hypothesis), genetic predisposition, female sex.
Symptoms
Typical of Hashimoto's disease is a slow but progressive onset: only rarely, the patient complains of symptoms during the early stages of the disease, therefore thyroiditis tends to be diagnosed late. The most recurrent symptoms include: menstrual cycle changes, weight gain, bradycardia, decreased sex drive, brittle hair, high cholesterol, depression, decreased sweating, pain in limbs and muscles, goiter, water retention, constipation, hoarse voice, cutaneous xerosis.
Information on Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - Drugs for the Treatment of Thyroiditis by Hashimoto is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - Drugs for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Care.
drugs
The treatment of Hashimoto's disease is essentially based on frequent medical observation and the use of some drugs. If the organism is no longer able to produce sufficient hormonal quantities, it is evident that it is necessary to take hormones from the outside; the administration of hormonal drugs is also useful in cases of mild thyroid insufficiency (subclinical hypothyroidism).
In the event that Hashimoto's disease does not lead to an evident hormonal deficit, the administration of drugs can be avoided, but the patient must undergo repeated checks to keep the pathological condition under control.
It should be pointed out that, if a hormonal-based pharmacological procedure is undertaken, in all cases, the patient will have to take these drugs for life.
Levothyroxine sodium (eg Eutirox, Syntroxine, Tiracrin, Tirosint): this drug is certainly the first-line active ingredient for the treatment of Hashimoto's disease. It is recommended to start therapy with a dose ranging from 12.5 to 50 mcg per os, once a day. Under the supervision of a doctor, the dose can be increased up to 12.5-25 mcg a day, every 7-14 days; it is good to consider that in elderly patients or in children suffering from Hashimoto's disease that requires the administration of hormones, the dosage may increase by 12.5-25 mcg per day, but every 3-6 weeks. Generally, the effective dose does not exceed 200 mcg. In rare cases, the drug can also be taken intravenously or intramuscularly: in this case, the dose drops by 50-75% compared to oral drug administration.
When taken at the doses prescribed by the doctor, levothyroxine does not generate many side effects; if not, consult your doctor immediately.
However, although the administration of this drug does not generate any particular side effects, the simultaneous intake of some foods / substances can heavily influence the absorption of the drug, therefore affecting the secondary effects and therapeutic activity.
The following are the drugs that can potentially affect the body's ability to absorb levothyroxine:
- Sucralfate (ex. Degastril, Citogel): the drug is a protective of the gastric mucosa, widely used in therapy for the treatment of gastritis
- Calcium supplementation (eg Calcium Carbonate: eg Idracal, Carbosint, Lubical)
- Cholestyramine (Es. Questran) hypocolestrolemicizing drug
- Aluminum hydroxide (Maalox) indicated for the treatment of gastric acidity, dyspepsia, heartburn, ulcer, gastritis and esophagitis
In the context of Hashimoto's disease, in the case of levothyroxine therapy associated with the intake of large quantities of the substances listed above, it is recommended to consult the doctor, who will eventually modulate the dosage of the drug.
