Lymphocytic thyroiditis is the underlying cause in many cases of primary hypothyroidism in dogs and the predisposition to its development is believed to be highly heritable. It is an immune mediated disorder characterized histologically by a diffuse infiltration of lymphocytes, plasma cells, and macrophages in the thyroid gland. Antibodies interact with the follicular cell, colloid, or thyroglobulin antigens and activate the complement cascade and cell-mediated cytotoxicity. See similar questions...

This laboratory is not aware of any evidence to support the hypothesis that vaccination could be associated with the induction of immune mediated thyroid disease. In fact, some researchers have looked for and failed to find such an association (Hogenesch et al., 1999 Advances in Veterinary Medicine 41: 733-747). See similar questions...

Treating with corticosteroids might be desirable to decrease the immune/inflammatory components of this disease, but our laboratory does not advocate their use. There are no published studies evaluating this approach in dogs. There are more disadvantages to steroid use than advantages, because of their many side effects. A decrease in inflammation can be achieved without corticosteroids by using T4 therapy. See similar questions...

One of the first tests you should have is something called the autologous serum skin test (ASST). This test is still not widely available, so it may take some hunting around to find a local clinic or hospital that offers the test. The ASST involves taking a sample of your blood, spinning it down in a centrifuge to separate the serum, and then injecting the serum back into your arm. A wheal/flare response to the injection is considered positive for autoimmune CU. See similar questions...

Can you take aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)? If not, you may be salicylate sensitive. Salicylates are the active ingredient in aspirin, and are found in all plant matter to some extent (fruits, vegetables, herbal supplements, etc). If you find that taking aspirin makes your hives worse, you may have discovered your cause. This is also true if you cannot tolerate other NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen or Aleve, because they are cross-reactive with salicylates. See similar questions...

autoimmune disorder is any of a number of conditions in which a person's immune system reacts against the body's own organs or tissues, and the person's immune system produces antibodies to them. An autoimmune disorder is NOT an "immune deficiency". In the case of vitiligo, we believe that the immune system probably sees the person's own pigment cells as foreign bodies, and attacks them, destroying them or weakening them. See similar questions...

Postpartum thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid that occurs in women after the delivery of a baby See similar questions...

There is certainly a malfunction in the immune system that takes place in ulcerative colitis. However, immunosuppressive medications used to keep individuals from rejecting transplanted organs have shown less effectiveness in treating ulcerative colitis than in treating Crohn's disease. See similar questions...

A malfunction in the immune system is certainly a part of Crohn's disease. This may be an inability to "turn off" the immune system after it "turns on" for an appropriate reason. Or, the immune system may "turn on" for the wrong reason. Immunosuppressive medications used to keep individuals from rejecting transplanted organs have been shown to be effective in treating Crohn's disease. These factors have led many researchers to characterize Crohn's disease as autoimmune. See similar questions...

autoimmune disease is a disease in which the immune system malfunctions and mistakenly attacks itself. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system incorrectly targets, attacks and destroys a person's own insulin-producing cells. Other autoimmune diseases include lupus, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, scleroderma, Sjogren's syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis. See similar questions...

Postpartum thyroiditis is caused by of anti-thyroid (anti-thyroid peroxidase, anti-thyroglobulin) antibodies that attack the thyroid and cause inflammation. See similar questions...

In the United Status, postpartum thyroiditis occurs in approximately 5-10% of women. The incidence can be greater in certain high-risk populations (see below). See similar questions...

The thyrotoxic phase may be treated with beta blockers to decrease palpitations and reduce shakes and tremors. As symptoms improve, the medication is tapered off since the thyrotoxic phase is transient. Antithyroid medications (see Hyperthyroid brochure) are not used for the thyrotoxic phase since the thyroid is not overactive. The hypothyroid phase is often treated with thyroid hormone replacement (see Thyroid Hormone Therapy brochure). See similar questions...

Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid. There are several forms of thyroiditis to include Chronic or Hashimoto's thyroiditis, subacute thyroiditis, and painless or postpartum thyroiditis. Its believed the usual causes are Antibody activity and Virus's. See similar questions...

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is a type of autoimmune thyroid disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid gland. The thyroid helps set the rate of metabolism, which is the rate at which the body uses energy. Hashimoto’s stops the gland from making enough thyroid hormones for the body to work the way it should. It is the most common thyroid disease in the U.S. See similar questions...

Positive anti-thyroid antibodies (risk correlates with antibody levels, the higher the antibody the higher the risk) History of previous postpartum thyroiditis (20% of women will have recurrence of thyroiditis with subsequent pregnancies) See similar questions...

The classic description of postpartum thyroiditis includes thyrotoxicosis followed by hypothyroidism. The thyrotoxic phase usually lasts for 1-3 months and is associated with symptoms including anxiety, insomnia, palpitations (fast heart rate) fatigue, weight loss, and irritability. The hypothyroid phase typically occurs 1-3 months after the thyrotoxic phase and may last up to 9 –12 months. See similar questions...

Acute lymphocytic leukemia is a rapidly progressing disease that is marked by the overabundance of immature or functionless white blood cells (called lymphoblasts) in the blood and bone marrow. Although it is also found in adults, this is the most common type of leukemia to strike children. See similar questions...