Lymphocytic thyroiditis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are two related medical conditions. Lymphocytic thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease in which immune cells attack the thyroid gland. This affects the production of thyroid hormones. There are two types of lymphocytic thyroiditis: subacute lymphocytic thyroiditis, which is also known as painless thyroiditis, and Hashimoto’s disease.
The key difference between lymphocytic thyroiditis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is their duration. Lymphocytic thyroiditis can be self-limiting or long-lasting, while Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is always persistent or long-lasting.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Lymphocytic Thyroiditis
3. What is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
4. Similarities – Lymphocytic Thyroiditis and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
5. Lymphocytic Thyroiditis vs Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Lymphocytic Thyroiditis vs Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
7. FAQ – Lymphocytic Thyroiditis and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
What is Lymphocytic Thyroiditis?
Lymphocytic thyroiditis is of two types: subacute lymphocytic thyroiditis and Hashimoto’s disease. Subacute lymphocytic thyroiditis is also known as silent or painless thyroiditis. Hashimoto’s disease is also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. Subacute lymphocytic thyroiditis is usually self-limiting, while Hashimoto’s disease is a persistent form. Lymphocytic thyroiditis can be self-limiting or long-lasting. When subacute lymphocytic thyroiditis occurs following the birth of a child, it is referred to as postpartum thyroiditis. The symptoms of this condition may include goiter, fatigue, heart intolerance, increased appetite, increased sweating, irregular menstrual periods, irritability, muscle cramps, shakiness, heart palpitations, weight loss, frequent bowel movements, cold intolerance, dry skin, weight gain, and constipation.
Lymphocytic thyroiditis can be diagnosed through physical examination, a review of the symptoms, and blood tests of the thyroid hormone levels, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) that may show signs of inflammation and radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU). If symptoms are mild, no treatment is needed. However, severe symptoms can be treated through a beta-blocker and hormone replacement drug Synthroid (levothyroxine).
What is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is a long-lasting form of the thyroiditis. It is a form of lymphocytic thyroiditis. Hashimoto’s disease generally causes more significant and severe symptoms than subacute lymphocytic thyroiditis. The symptoms of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may include goiter, thyroid nodules, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, constipation, heat or cold intolerance, fatigue, frequent bowel movements, weakness, hair loss, irregular periods, hand tremors, joint or muscle pain, pale or dry skin, depression, increased sweating, nail changes such as brittle nails, nervousness, weight loss or gain, palpitation, reduced taste or smell, hoarseness, sleep problems, facial puffiness, swollen hand or feet, slow speech, thickening of the skin and slowed heart rate.
Hashimoto’s disease can be diagnosed through a combination of family history and physical examination. Blood tests, including thyroid hormones, CRP, ESR, and thyroid antibodies, are ordered. Diagnostic tools may also include ultrasound and radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU). Hashimoto’s disease can be treated through Synthroid (levothyroxine) and surgery for large goiters.
Similarities Between Lymphocytic Thyroiditis and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
- Lymphocytic thyroiditis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are two associated medical conditions.
- Both are caused by immune cells attacking the thyroid gland.
- Both conditions have similar symptoms.
- They can be diagnosed through physical examination and blood tests.
- They can be treated through medications such as Synthroid (levothyroxine).
Difference Between Lymphocytic Thyroiditis and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Definition
- Lymphocytic thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease in which immune cells attack the thyroid gland.
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is a long-lasting form of lymphocytic thyroiditis.
Form
- Lymphocytic thyroiditis can be subacute or chronic.
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is always chronic or persistent.
Severity
- Lymphocytic thyroiditis is mild or severe.
- Hashimoto’s is always severe.
Signs and Symptoms
- Signs and symptoms of lymphocytic thyroiditis include goiter, fatigue, heart intolerance, increased appetite, increased sweating, irregular menstrual periods, irritability, muscle cramps, shakiness, heart palpitations, weight loss, frequent bowel movements, cold intolerance, dry skin, weight gain, and constipation.
- Signs and symptoms of Hashimoto’s include goiter, thyroid nodules, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, constipation, heat or cold intolerance, fatigue, frequent bowel movements, weakness, hair loss, irregular periods, hand tremor, joint or muscle pain, pale or dry skin, depression, increased sweating, nail changes such as brittle nails, nervousness, weight loss or gain, palpitation, reduced taste or smell, hoarseness, sleep problems, facial puffiness, swollen hand or feet, slow speech, thickening of the skin and slowed heart rate.
Diagnosis
- Lymphocytic thyroiditis can be diagnosed with a physical examination, a review of the symptoms, and blood tests of the thyroid hormone levels, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) may show signs of inflammation and radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU).
- Hashimoto’s can be diagnosed with a family history, physical examination, and blood tests, including thyroid hormones, CRP, ESR, thyroid antibodies, ultrasound, and radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU).
Treatment
- If symptoms are mild, no treatment is needed. However, severe symptoms can be treated through a beta-blocker and hormone replacement drug Synthroid (levothyroxine).
- Hashimoto’s can be treated with Synthroid (levothyroxine) and surgery for large goiters.
The following table summarizes the difference between lymphocytic thyroiditis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Summary – Lymphocytic Thyroiditis vs Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
Thyroiditis generally refers to the inflammation of the thyroid gland. Lymphocytic thyroiditis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are two associated medical conditions. Both are due to immune cells attacking the thyroid gland. However, lymphocytic thyroiditis can be self-limiting or long-lasting, while Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is always persistent or long-lasting. Moreover, lymphocytic thyroiditis can be mild or severe, whereas Hshimoto’s disease normally causes more significant and severe symptoms. This summarizes the difference between lymphocytic thyroiditis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
FAQ: Lymphocytic Thyroiditis and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
1. Is Hashimoto’s serious?
- Hashimoto’s disease will be a serious condition if left untreated because the complications of this disease can be life-threatening.
2. What happens when people have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?
- Hashimoto’s disease causes the thyroid to become damaged. Most people with this condition develop hypothyroidism. In rare cases,, early in the course of the disease, thyroid damage may lead to the release of too much thyroid hormone into the blood, which causes symptoms of hyperthyroidism too.
3. What test confirms Hashimoto’s disease?
- A blood test can confirm the Hashimoto’s disease. Blood tests reveal your thyroid hormone function and antibodies. Health care providers will look for signs and symptoms together with the results of the blood tests.
4. Is lymphocytic thyroiditis the same as Hashimoto?
- Lymphocytic thyroiditis is not the same as Hashimoto’s, but they are two related conditions. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is a more serious and long-lasting form of lymphocytic thyroiditis.
5. Why is it called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is named after Dr. Hakaru Hashimoto, a Japanese physician who first described the disease in 1912. He identified and detailed the characteristics of the autoimmune condition affecting the thyroid gland.
Reference:
1. Bhatia, Alka, et al. “Lymphocytic Thyroiditis–Is Cytological Grading Significant? A Correlation of Grades with Clinical, Biochemical, Ultrasonographic and Radionuclide Parameters.” CytoJournal, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. Mincer, Dana L. “Hashimoto Thyroiditis.” StatPearls [Internet]., U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, HE 4” By Patho – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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