Actor Arjun Kapoor is fighting Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis: Know all about the disease

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is a condition in which the immune system mistakenly targets the thyroid gland, leads to inflammation, damage, and, often, hypothyroidism.

Sumit Jha

Published Nov 11, 2024 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 11, 2024 | 7:00 AM

What is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis?

Bollywood actor Arjun Kapoor recently revealed that he has been battling an autoimmune disorder called Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, which he felt, contributed to gaining body weight.

Kapoor, who is currently enjoying the success of his role as the villain Danger Lanka in Singham Again, spoke about the impact of the disease on his life and career.

“I have something called Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. It’s an extension of having a thyroid issue. Your antibodies fight against you,” Kapoor explained. “It’s almost like I can take a flight and gain weight because my body goes into stress.”

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is a condition in which the immune system mistakenly targets the thyroid gland, leading to inflammation, damage, and, often, hypothyroidism.

Kapoor’s condition is particularly challenging because he faces the demands of the film industry. “The more relaxed I am, the better I look — which is ironic because you’re not relaxed in this profession,” he noted.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Hollywood Reporter India (@hollywoodreporterindia)

What Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is one of the most common autoimmune thyroid diseases.

“The immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid — a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the neck that produces hormones crucial for metabolism, growth, and overall energy. This attack damages the thyroid cells, often leading to hypothyroidism, where the gland underproduces essential hormones like thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3),” Hyderabad-based endocrinologist Dr Deepti Sahay told South First.

Imagine you have a tiny factory inside your neck called the thyroid factory. This factory’s job is to make “energy fuel” that helps power your whole body, just like a power plant provides electricity to light up a city and keep everything running smoothly. The fuel from this factory gives you the energy to play, think, and even keep your body warm!

Now, your body has a team of “security guards” — your immune system — that usually protects you from germs. But in people with a condition called Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, the security guards get a little confused.

Instead of fighting germs, they start attacking the thyroid factory. They think it’s an enemy, even though it’s there to help you. When the guards attack, it causes inflammation, like the factory is getting all crowded and smoky. Over time, this damage makes it harder for the thyroid to produce enough energy fuel.

So, what happens if your body isn’t getting enough energy fuel?

Feeling tired and slow: Just like a city that doesn’t get enough power might have dim streetlights and slow traffic, a body without enough fuel feels tired and sluggish.
Weight gain: Your body doesn’t burn energy as fast as usual, which can lead to weight gain — sort of like how things pile up if a machine isn’t running at full speed. Plus, Hashimoto’s can make your body hold on to extra water and salt, making you feel puffy or heavier.
Other changes: When the thyroid isn’t working well, you may notice other changes too, like feeling cold even when it’s not that chilly, or having dry skin and hair.

To help the thyroid factory get back on track, doctors give a special “backup fuel” called thyroid hormone medicine. It helps replace the energy fuel your body needs to feel strong and active again. Plus, eating healthy foods, exercising, and managing stress can also help the thyroid factory work better.

In short, with Hashimoto’s, it’s like your immune system’s guards have gotten confused and are attacking your body’s energy factory. But with the right help from medicine and good habits, your body can still run smoothly.

Also Read: Do you think your weight gain is due to hypothyroidism?

Early symptoms

Early symptoms of Hashimoto’s are often subtle and may develop gradually. Common early signs include:

Fatigue: Persistent tiredness, often one of the first signs.
Weight gain: A slow, unexplained weight gain despite regular eating habits.
Cold intolerance: Increased sensitivity to cold temperatures, making one feel cold more easily.
Muscle and joint pain: Aching or stiffness in muscles and joints due to inflammation.
Constipation: Slow bowel movements are common.
Dry skin and hair changes: The skin may become dry or rough, and hair may become thin and brittle.
Menstrual irregularities: Women may notice heavier or irregular menstrual periods.
Mood changes: Symptoms such as depression or mood swings may appear.

Progression of symptoms

As the thyroid becomes increasingly underactive (hypothyroidism), symptoms become more pronounced:

Fatigue and weakness: Low thyroid hormone levels lead to significant tiredness.
Weight gain: Reduced metabolism often results in weight gain.
Cognitive impairment: Brain fog, memory issues, and difficulty concentrating can arise.
Mood changes: Depression, anxiety, and mood swings are common.
Cold intolerance: Heightened sensitivity to colder temperatures.
Muscle and joint pain: Increased stiffness and aches may limit physical activity.
Digestive issues: Constipation and bloating can cause discomfort.

Also Read: How Vidya Balan discoverd the true cause of her weight struggles

Diagnosis

Diagnosing Hashimoto’s typically involves:

Blood tests: High levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and low levels of thyroxine (T4) are typical in hypothyroidism. Additionally, the presence of antithyroid antibodies, such as anti-TPO, supports the diagnosis.
Symptoms assessment: A thorough assessment of symptoms is essential, as the early signs of Hashimoto’s can be subtle.

Risk Factors

Certain factors increase the risk of Hashimoto’s, including:

Gender: Women are more susceptible than men.
Age: It is commonly diagnosed in middle age but can occur at any age.
Genetics: A family history of thyroid or autoimmune diseases raises the risk.
Environmental factors: Factors such as high iodine intake, radiation exposure, or infections may contribute.
Stress and lifestyle: Chronic stress and poor dietary habits can worsen autoimmune responses.

“Although Hashimoto’s primarily affects middle-aged women, it can occur in men and even children, with genetics, stress, environmental factors, and other autoimmune conditions as risk factors. In developed countries, Hashimoto’s is the most common cause of hypothyroidism, affecting millions of people,” Dr Sahay said.

Hashimoto’s can affect physical and mental health by altering metabolism, heart function, digestion, muscle control, and brain function. Symptoms often develop gradually over the years, and many people may not recognise them until significant thyroid damage has occurred.

Managing Hashimoto’s

In addition to medication, lifestyle adjustments can help manage Hashimoto’s:

Diet: A balanced diet rich in selenium and zinc supports thyroid health; excessive iodine should be avoided.
Stress management: Reducing stress and getting adequate sleep helps regulate the immune system.
Regular monitoring: Adjusting medication as needed with a healthcare provider ensures the best symptom control.

“Treatment is lifelong, with regular monitoring to adjust medication dosages based on thyroid function tests. Lifestyle adjustments, such as a balanced diet, stress management, and adequate sleep, can also play a role in symptom relief,” Dr Sahay said.

While Hashimoto’s leads to an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), other conditions like Graves’ disease cause an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

Hypothyroidism itself can have various causes, but in Hashimoto’s, it results from an immune attack on the thyroid, which makes it unique among thyroid disorders.

(Edited by Majnu Babu).