Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common form of thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease where the body's own antibodies fight the cells of the thyroid. It is named after the Japanese physician, Hakaru Hashimoto, who first described it in 1912. It is four times more common among women than men, and runs in families, with the HLADR5 gene most strongly implicated (conferring a relative risk of 3) in the UK. The genes implicated vary in different ethnic groups. Autoimmune diseases arise from an overactive immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body. ... Schematic of antibody binding to an antigen An antibody is a protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses. ... Cells in culture, stained for keratin (red) and DNA (green) The cell is the structural and functional unit of all living organisms. ... The thyroid gland and its relations In anatomy, the thyroid (IPA θaɪɹoɪd) is an endocrine gland. ... Official language Japanese Capital Tokyo Largest City Tokyo Emperor Akihito Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 60th 377,835 km² 0. ... 1912 is a leap year starting on Monday. ...

In many cases, Hashimoto's usually results in hypothyroidism, although in its acute phase, it can cause a transient hyperthyroid state. Hypothyroidism is a pathologic state caused by insufficient secretion of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland. ... Hyperthyroidism (thyrotoxicosis or fast thyroid gland) is the clinical syndrome caused by an excess of circulating free thyroxine (T4) and free triiodothyronine (T3), or both. ...

Physiologically, antibodies to thyroid peroxidase and/or thyroglobulin cause gradual destruction of follicles in the thyroid gland. Accordingly, the disease can be detected clinically by looking for these antibodies in the blood. It is also characterised by invasion of the thyroid tissue by leukocytes, chiefly T-lymphocytes. Schematic of antibody binding to an antigen An antibody is a protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses. ... Thyroglobulin is a protein secreted by the thyroid gland. ... In botany, a follicle is a type of simple dry fruit produced by certain flowering plants. ... The thyroid gland and its relations In anatomy, the thyroid (IPA θaɪɹoɪd) is an endocrine gland. ... White Blood Cells is also the name of a White Stripes album. ...

Treatment is by daily thyroxine, with the sodium salt of thyroxine liothyronine given when the need to raise levels of circulating thyroxine is urgent. The thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), are tyrosine-based hormones produced by the thyroid gland. ...

Symptoms of Hashimoto's thyroiditis include symptoms of hypothyroidism and a goitre. A goitre (or goiter) (Latin struma) is a swelling in the neck due to an enlarged thyroid gland. ...

In European countries an atrophic form of autoimmune thyroditis (Ord's Thyroiditis) is more common than Hashimoto's disease.