The distinction between disease and disorder. So, too, are the terms we’ll be discussing. Although Hashimoto’s and hypothyroidism are related to the thyroid gland, they are not identical.
We’ll go over some key ways to distinguish one from the other later in the text. Both diseases are entirely distinct from one another; let us find out how?
Key Takeaways
- Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disease causing the immune system to attack the thyroid gland, while hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland produces insufficient hormones.
- Hashimoto’s is the most common cause of hypothyroidism, but hypothyroidism can also result from other factors such as iodine deficiency or thyroid surgery.
- Treatment for Hashimoto’s involves hormone replacement therapy to manage hypothyroidism symptoms, while treatment for hypothyroidism without Hashimoto’s depends on the underlying cause.
Hashimotos vs Hypothyroidism
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder that causes the thyroid gland to become underactive and produce less thyroid hormone, leading to hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a condition that causes fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, dry skin, and hair loss.
Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune illness that exacerbates a weakened immune system. The thyroid gland is affected by an imbalanced immune system.
Thyroid hormone production is reduced due to the thyroid gland’s action. As a result, if left untreated, hypothyroidism develops.
We’ll go through that in more detail later. When Hashimoto’s is evaluated, however, it is not a thyroid gland condition in the traditional sense; instead, it causes thyroid hormones to be produced less due to a lack of sufficient immunity.
Hypothyroidism, on the other hand, is a disorder caused by decreased thyroid hormone production. Our bodies require a certain number of thyroid hormones to function correctly. Still, a patient diagnosed with this disease has difficulties producing adequate hormones, which impairs hormone circulation in the thyroid gland.
As a result, the condition is known as an underactive thyroid.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of comparison | Hashimotos | Hypothyroidism |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Autoimmune disease | Thyroid disease |
| Cause | Imbalanced immune system | Lack of enough thyroid hormones |
| Another name | Hashimoto’s thyroiditis | Underactive thyroid |
| Which of the ones remains undiagnosed mostly? | A person who has Celiac disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc | Through thyroid tests, it can be diagnosed easily. |
| Who is most likely to have the disease? | A person with goiter, or any medical history regarding thyroid gland, etc. | A person with goitre, or any medical history regarding thyroid gland, etc. |
What is Hashimotos?
Hashimoto’s illness is an autoimmune condition that causes hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism, another frequent thyroid illness, is rarely caused by the disorder. The term autoimmune refers to a condition in which the body’s immune system works against it.
That is, no external entities are required for the hormone imbalances that are formed within the body in this state. Instead, the thyroid gland is attacked by the body’s antibodies.
White blood cells, one of the immune system’s most efficient bodies, target the thyroid gland in this scenario. The thyroid gland gets harmed as a result of this. As a result, the thyroid gland produces fewer hormones. Hypothyroidism arises as a result of this.
The critical thing to remember is that the sickness is caused by abnormal immune system activity, not by the thyroid gland, and there is no problem with the thyroid gland.
The immune system attests the thyroid gland preferentially due to aberrant immune system activity. Because the disease is uncommon among humans, it goes undiagnosed.
However, the second phase is discovered when a person begins to experience hypothyroidism. A person with celiac disease, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis is likelier to get the disease.
There are specific challenges that a person with Hashimoto’s disease may confront. High cholesterol, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other health problems can exacerbate a difficult situation.
Because this is the most common among women, it must be treated cautiously to avoid any difficulties during pregnancy.
What is Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is a condition caused by the thyroid glands producing insufficient thyroid hormones. The thyroid glands produce two hormones: thyroxine and gonadotropin. Thyroxine and triiodothyronine are the two hormones in question.
The former has four iodine molecules, while the latter only has three. T4 is assigned to the first, whereas T3 is given to the second. T4 to T3 is the order of conversion in the body.
Thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can now result from an imbalance in hormone production. A decrease in thyroid hormone production characterizes hypothyroidism, while the other generates more than enough.
The thyroid gland is a little butterfly-shaped; imagine half of your hand-chopped and fashioned into two different halves; the thyroid glands are located in the throat region similarly.
It regulates energy throughout the body, development, strength, and metabolism, and is thus an essential hormone to keep optimal balance.
Though it is more common in women, it can affect men, children, and anybody. People who have undergone radiation around the neck or have a goitre must maintain a close eye on their thyroid hormones to keep them balanced.
Fatigue, excessive weight gain, joint and muscle pain, hair thinning, depression, and a slower heart rate are some of the symptoms identified with this illness.
It is difficult to diagnose through symptoms because it develops slowly over the years; thus, signs may be overlooked.
Main Differences Between Hashimotos and Hypothyroidism
- Hashimotos is an Autoimmune disease, whereas hypothyroidism is a thyroid disease.
- An unbalanced immunological system causes Hashimotos, whereas a lack of thyroid hormones causes hypothyroidism.
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is one of the other names of Hashimoto’s, whereas the Underactive thyroid is the other name for hypothyroidism.
- Hashimotos remains undiagnosed mostly through the TSH test, whereas diagnosing hypothyroidism is easier.
- A person suffering from Celiac disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc, is at higher risk for Hashimoto’s. In contrast, a person with goitre, or any medical history regarding thyroid gland, etc, is at higher risk for hypothyroidism.
- https://www.bmj.com/content/1/5854/657.abstract
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1521690X19301186
Last Updated : 02 July, 2023
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Piyush Yadav has spent the past 25 years working as a physicist in the local community. He is a physicist passionate about making science more accessible to our readers. He holds a BSc in Natural Sciences and Post Graduate Diploma in Environmental Science. You can read more about him on his bio page.
I really enjoyed reading this article. Very well structured and informative. I’ve learned a lot!
I found this article very insightful. It’s so important to spread awareness about these conditions and clarify any misconceptions.
I couldn’t agree more. It’s so important to increase awareness, and articles like this play a huge role in that.
Really helpful article. Loved how it broke down the differences in such a clear and concise manner.
Very informative piece. The distinction between the two can be quite confusing. It’s great to have it laid out so clearly.
Great article. I was already familiar with the topic, but I learned something new and interesting.