Hashimoto's thyroiditis, also known as lymphocytic thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid. Apparently, lymphatic tissue begins to take over the thyroid, replacing normal thyroid tissue. Since the lymphatic tissue cannot produce thyroid hormones, the person eventually becomes hypothyroidal. Antibody tests are usually run on patients with hypothyroidism to see if it is related to thyroiditis. Some small percentage of people with thyroiditis also develop MALT lymphoma of the thyroid.

Thyroiditis and hypothyroidism are beyond the scope of this site. Hypothyroidism in particular is a seemingly simple disorder from the medical point of view, but complex and difficult to deal with from the perspective of many patients. A great deal of information can be found on the net. Below are some good links. There is a very interesting strong link between thyroid disease and celiac disease, and between celiac disease and gastric lymphomas (though of the T cell type).

Thyroid Disease Manager

www.thyroid.about.com/health/thyroid/aolpage.htm
This site is run by a very knowledgeable patient, Mary Shomon, who can guide the novice to the best information, as well as a thyroid disease discussion list.

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Gathered by Vera Bradova © 1999-2003
Updated 7-31-2003