Clinical study of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis

Background: Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, a well known condition affecting the thyroid gland is often under diagnosed due to its wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. As such it could present as a Multi Nodular Goitre, Diffuse Goitre or Solitary Nodule with features of Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism or Euthyroid state. Materials and methods: Total 120 patients with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis were studied with history, clinical signs and symptoms, recorded in the format and were subjected to hormonal assay, FNAC. Results: Out of 120 cases, 117 were females and 3 were males. All the 120 patients presented with complaint of swelling in the front of the neck, most of the patients presented within 6 months after noticing the swelling. Consistency of the gland was firm in all cases. 75 patients were Multi Nodular Goitre (62.5%), 42 were Diffuse Goitre (35%) and 3 were solitary nodule (2.5%). 57 patients were Hypothyroid (47.5%), 42 patients were Euthyroid (35%) and 21 patients were Hyperthyroid (17.5%). FNAC was positive in 111 patients (92.5%). Antibodies were positive in 105 patients (87.5%). 105 patients were treated conservatively and monitored regularly every 3 months. Conclusion: In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the hyperthyroid patients showed high positivity to Anti TPO Antibody, the hypothyroid patients were highly negative to Antibodies, and the Euthyroid patients responded well to Thyroxine therapy. Surgery was mostly required for patients presented with symptoms and signs of obstruction. Incidence of Lymphoma in patients with Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis was usually high.