HASIMOTO’S THYROIDITIS A REVIEW

Hashimoto thyroditis is an organ specific autoimmune disorder. Initially described Hakaru Hashimotoa century ago is now the most common cause of hypothyroidism in iodine sufficient are-as of the world. But still the pathogenesis is not fully understood. With higher incidence among female population HT develops as a result of in-teraction between the genetic factors and envi-ronmental factors in susceptible individuals. HT is associated with other autoimmune disorders. Now many variants of HT have been identified: classical form, fibrous variant, IgG4 variant, juvenile form, hashitoxicosis and silent thyroiditis (sporadic or postpartum). All variants of HT are characterized by lympho-cytic infiltration, destruction and atropy of thy-roid gland ultimately thyroid failure though each entity has specific other features. Clinically HT can also present as euthyroid or even hyperthyroid state with or without goiter. Diagnosis is based on the clinical features, demonstration of antibodies against thyroid antigen, sonography and cytological findings. Treatment is mainly sup-plementing Levothyroixin for correction of hypo-thyroidism. Surgery is reserved for patients with large goiter causing mechanical compression of cervical structures, painful HT and suspicion of malignancy.