Hashimoto Thyroiditis, Essay Example

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is one of the most common thyroid diseases. I was first identified in 1912 by Hakaru Hashimoto, but researchers are still working to determine what causes the disease and how it spreads. It is an autoimmune disease that is linked to genetic factors and also to environmental triggers. Individuals who have a genetic susceptibility to the disease may be triggered by some medications and chemicals, like iodine and interferon. Some viral infections and other conditions may also contribute to triggering the disease. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis can cause a variety of symptoms, including partial paralysis, renal impairment (impairment of kidney functions), and hypothyroidism.

A 1962 study found that Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis may be linked to genetic conditions, and that it also clusters in families. Studies have shown that Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is autosomal, meaning that only one parent has to have the genetic predisposition for the disease to pass it along to offspring. The 1963 study showed evidence that the disease is dominant but a later study from 1985 seemed to support the idea that Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an autosomal recessive condition. Research populations for studies of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis have been defined by race and ethnicity (such as in a 2001 study of Japanese siblings) and also of families of differing ethnic and racial backgrounds. According to current research it is autosomal dominant.

Treatment Research for Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

This website contains a significant amount of information related to Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis research executed in February of 2014. It includes descriptions of the disease and symptoms. It also describes current clinical trials related to studying the effects of medication on Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.