Hashimoto's thyroiditis or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease in which the thyroid gland is attacked by a variety of cell- and antibody-mediated immune processes, causing primary hypothyroidism. It was the first disease to be recognized as an autoimmune disease. It was first described by the Japanese specialist Hakaru Hashimoto in a paper published in Germany in 1912.
Treatment for Hashimoto's disease may include observation and use of medications. If there's no evidence of hormone deficiency, and your thyroid is functioning normally, your doctor may suggest a wait-and-see approach. If you need medication, chances are you'll need it for the rest of your life.
My suggestion is to stop reading about and simply trust your doctor. Direct any questions you have to him/her. Learning about your condition is one thing - obsessing over it is another.
If you have any specific questions that come to mind, jot them down. Either call your doctor and leave a message or make another appointment with him/her to go over a plan of action. You'll feel better once you take steps to educate yourself and you put your trust in your doctor. Good luck.
