Summary. Even if your Hashimoto's disease is being treated with thyroid replacement hormone, you may experience flare-ups of symptoms. This can result from not being on the correct dosage of levothyroxine, or due to other medications and/or supplements that can interfere with levothyroxine absorption.
Hashimoto's disease tends to worsen with age because it is progressive. The disease generally progresses slowly over many years and can cause progressive damage to the thyroid glands. Additionally, it is expected that those with Hashimoto's disease will eventually get hypothyroidism, though this is not always the case.
While symptoms can vary, there are many reported signs of a Hashimoto's flare-up, including: Fatigue. Cold intolerance. Constipation.
People who have an autoimmune flare-up like a Hashimoto's attack experience intense symptoms because the immune system goes into overdrive, mounting an even greater attack on the thyroid and causing even more inflammation. It is not clear why the immune system starts attacking healthy cells in the body.
Excessive iodine intake.
Too much iodine in the diet may function as a trigger among people already at risk for Hashimoto's disease.
How Long Does Hashimoto's Flare Up Last? Most patients who experience flare-ups say that their symptoms last about two weeks, although there are cases where the symptoms return for months or even years at a time.
Overt hypothyroidism or full-blown disease
The end-stage of Hashimoto's is when your thyroid has become so damaged that you no longer have enough thyroid hormones and have to go on medication.
A flare-up of Hashimoto's disease can cause symptoms of the disease even when you're being treated for it. Most of the time when this happens, it's because you're not getting enough of the thyroid replacement hormone used to treat the condition.
If you're experiencing symptoms of thyroid storm such as a high fever and a rapid heart rate, get to the nearest emergency room as soon as possible.
Symptoms of Hashimoto's can take a toll on your social life. Fatigue, depression, and anxiety can each make socializing a challenge. And, if other symptoms, like brain fog or pain, bring discomfort, social activities that aren't necessary may feel off the table. Addressing the root cause of these symptoms can help.
If you think you might be having a Hashimoto's thyroiditis flare-up and have symptoms like unexplained weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, and constipation, speak to your doctor to get a diagnosis.
Because the hormones produced by the thyroid are so vital to the body's functions, untreated Hashimoto's can lead to serious and even life-threatening complications.
The main complication associated with Hashimoto's is that it greatly increases your risk of developing another autoimmune disorder, such as Addison's disease, Graves' disease, type 1 diabetes, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis.
Stage 3: Subclinical Hypothyroidism
The third stage of Hashimoto's is known as subclinical hypothyroidism. In this stage, TSH levels may be slightly elevated on blood tests (3-10 mU/L), and the levels of free T3 and free T4 are going to be normal.
If persistent symptoms in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis are caused by the active autoimmune process rather than by thyroid hormone status, removing the thyroid gland through surgery may reduce the levels of the TPOAb and improve some symptoms.
It might also drain your energy, making it difficult for you to perform physical tasks. It is not unusual to experience fatigue for a couple of days, especially if you work for long hours and do not get enough sleep. However, if your fatigue happens to persist for more than two weeks, you should see a doctor.
Most people who suffer from Hashimoto's thyroiditis don't experience painful symptoms. However, there is a rare variant of Hashimoto's disease that can cause pain near the thyroid gland in the neck. Therefore, it's important to understand the symptoms of this disorder and possible treatment for it.
Complications of Hashimoto's disease
The severity of the disease usually leads to other complications that can be fatal, such as heart problems or heart failure. If Hashimoto's disease goes untreated, the individual could die of disease complications in some rare cases.
Viral infections (like rubella, mumps, or Epstein Barr virus) are one such environmental factor that may induce an autoimmune flare-up.
However, when choosing a supplement, patients with Hashimoto's disease should be careful of iodine content, as iodine excess can increase the risk of developing thyroid disorders as much as its deficiency.