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Hashimoto’s Disease: Gigi Hadid, the international supermodel who is known for her walks on the runway and her influential fashion sense, opened up about her health journey. The American TV personality has been suffering from a serious illness known as Hashimoto’s disease. The 29-year-old has revealed that in 2016, she was diagnosed with this autoimmune condition, which has affected her metabolism and has been taking medications for the diseases for the past two years. For the unversed, Hashimoto’s disease is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland. From symptoms, causes to treatment, here’s everything you need to know about Hashimoto’s Disease.

What Is Hashimoto’s Disease?

Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland. This is an illness that is caused by the immune system attacking healthy tissues. The immune-system cells lead to the death of the thyroid’s hormone-producing cells, which results in hypothyroidism. Although anyone can develop Hashimoto’s disease, it is most commonly seen among middle-aged women. Also known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the autoimmune condition affects about 5 in 100 people in the United States. This is suffered in countries with widely available iodized salt and other iodine-enriched foods. Iodine deficiency is the most common cause in other countries.

 
 
 
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Symptoms Of Hashimoto’s Disease

Hashimoto's disease happens slowly over the years. In the initial stage, the person may not notice the signs or symptoms of the disease. However, the decline of the production of thyroid gland results in the following symptoms:

Fatigue and sluggishness

Increased sensitivity to cold

Increased sleepiness

Dry skin

Constipation

Muscle weakness

Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness

Joint pain and stiffness

Irregular or excessive menstrual bleeding

Depression

Problems with memory or concentration

Swelling of the thyroid (goiter)

A puffy face

Brittle nails

Hair loss

Enlargement of the tongue

Causes Of Hashimoto’s Disease

This is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system creates antibodies that attack the thyroid cells as if they are bacteria, viruses or some other foreign body. The immune system wrongly enlists disease-fighting agents that damage cells and lead to cell death. However, what causes Hashimoto’s disease is not clear, but the following are considered to be some of the common causes.

Genetic factors

Environmental triggers, such as infection, stress or radiation exposure

Interactions between environmental and genetic factors

 
 
 
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Treatment Of Hashimoto’s Disease

Not everyone with Hashimoto’s disease develops hypothyroidism. If a person has high antibody levels but doesn’t have clinical hypothyroidism, then the doctor will likely monitor the thyroid levels instead of starting treatment. If Hashimoto’s disease leads to hypothyroidism, the go-to treatment is a medication called levothyroxine. It is a synthetic form of the T4 hormone that the thyroid makes. It is important to note that the person suffering from Hashimoto’s disease should consult the doctor immediately after the symptoms are noticed.

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(Disclaimer: This content, including suggestions and advice, provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information before making any drastic changes in your lifestyle.)