Hashimoto's thyroiditis

For a lay person:

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. It is the commonest cause of an underactive thyroid, leading to tiredness, feeling cold, weight gain and low mood.

For a trained medical person:

Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis with anti-TPO antibodies and progressive hypothyroidism. Diagnosis by TSH, free T4 and antibodies. Treatment is levothyroxine replacement.

In Chinese medicine:

Flaws and Sionneau's textbook differentiates this condition into these patterns: Spleen Qi Deficiency; Spleen and Kidney Yang Deficiency; Liver depression phlegm nodulation; Phlegm congelation and blood stasis. Treatment follows the pattern a patient presents with, not the Western diagnosis alone.

When to get help: Some herbs and seaweeds are very high in iodine, which can disturb thyroid function; tell your doctor before taking them.