The key difference between underactive thyroid and Hashimoto’s disease is that underactive thyroid is a medical condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce sufficient amounts of hormones, while Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the thyroid tissue.
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck. It normally releases hormones that control the metabolism. The vital functions of the thyroid gland include regulating breathing, heart rate, central and peripheral nervous system, body weight, muscle strength, menstrual cycles, body temperature, cholesterol levels, etc. There are different conditions that affect the function of the thyroid gland. Underactive thyroid and Hashimoto’s disease are two such disease conditions.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Underactive Thyroid
3. What is Hashimoto’s Disease
4. Similarities – Underactive Thyroid and Hashimoto’s Disease
5. Underactive Thyroid vs Hashimoto’s Disease in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Underactive Thyroid vs Hashimoto’s Disease
What is Underactive Thyroid (Hypothyroidism)?
Underactive thyroid is a disease condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce sufficient thyroxine (T4). It is also known as hypothyroidism. Underactive thyroid is mainly caused by the immune system attacking the thyroid gland and damaging it (Hashimoto’s Disease). The rest of the cases are a result of treatments for thyroid cancer or overactive thyroid and problems with the pituitary gland. Moreover, underactive thyroid has also been linked to some viral infections and some medicines such as lithium, amiodarone, and interferons. The common symptoms of underactive thyroid glands may include tiredness, sensitivity to cold, weight gain, constipation, depression, slow movement and thoughts, muscle weakness, dry and scaly skin, brittle nails, loss of libido, pain and numbness in the hands and fingers, irregular periods or heavy periods.
Figure 01: Thyroid Gland
An underactive thyroid can be diagnosed through physical examination and blood tests such as thyroid function tests. Furthermore, the treatment options for underactive thyroid by taking daily hormone replacement tablets (levothyroxine) and combination therapy (levothyroxine and triiodothyronine (T3).
What is Hashimoto’s Disease?
Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the thyroid tissue. The causes of Hashimoto’s disease include genetic factors, environmental triggers like infection, stress or radiation exposure, and interactions between environmental and genetic factors. The symptoms of Hashimoto’s disease are fatigue and sluggishness, increased sensitivity to cold, increased sleepiness, dry skin, constipation, muscle weakness, muscle aches, joint pain and stiffness, excessive menstrual bleeding, depression, problems with memory or concentration, puffy face, brittle nails, hair loss, and enlargement of the tongue. Hashimoto’s disease results in several complications, such as goiter, heart problems, mental health problems, sexual and reproduction issues, poor pregnancy outcomes, and myxedema.
Figure 02: Hashimoto’s Disease
Hashimoto’s disease can be diagnosed through a review of medical history, physical examination, thyroid function test, and antibody test. Furthermore, Hashimoto’s disease is treated through T4 and T3 hormone replacement therapy, taking food that has less iodine content to prevent harmful side effects from iodine and treating other complicated conditions.
What are the Similarities Between Underactive Thyroid and Hashimoto’s Disease?
- Underactive thyroid and Hashimoto’s disease are two different diseases that affect the function of the thyroid gland.
- In both conditions, low amounts of thyroxine hormone are produced.
- Both conditions may show similar symptoms of weakness and dry skin.
- Hashimoto’s disease can be caused by an underactive thyroid gland.
- Both conditions can be diagnosed through blood tests.
- They are treated through hormone replacement.
What is the Difference Between Underactive Thyroid and Hashimoto’s Disease?
Underactive thyroid is a medical condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones, while Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the thyroid tissue. Thus, this is the key difference between underactive thyroid and Hashimoto’s disease.
The below infographic presents the differences between underactive thyroid and Hashimoto’s disease in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Underactive Thyroid vs Hashimoto’s Disease
The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland in vertebrates. There are a number of medical conditions that affect the function of the thyroid gland. Underactive thyroid and Hashimoto’s disease are two different diseases that affect the function of the thyroid gland. Underactive thyroid occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones, while Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the thyroid tissue. So, this is the key difference between underactive thyroid and Hashimoto’s disease.
Reference:
1. “Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).” NHS Choices, NHS.
2. “Hashimoto’s Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatments.” Cleveland Clinic.
Image Courtesy:
1. “1811 The Thyroid Gland” By OpenStax College – Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Web site, Jun 19, 2013. (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, HE 2” By Patho – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia