Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Last reviewed 01/2018
This is an autoimmune disorder characterised by extensive infiltration of the thyroid parenchyma by lymphocytes and plasma cells, with the formation of germinal centres. It is the most common cause of sporadic goitrous hypothyroidism in non-iodine deficient areas. Peak incidence is between 30 and 50 years of age with a female predominance of 15:1. It is associated with the HLA-DR5 genotype.