-Hashimoto’s thyroiditis = Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis = Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis (or simply autoimmune thyroiditis).
-Is the most common form of thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland).
-Hashimoto’s disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States
-Is also the most common thyroid disorder in America. It affects about 14 million people in the U.S.
“In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the goiter is caused by an accumulation of white blood cells and fluid (inflammation) in the thyroid gland. This leads to the destruction of the thyroid cells and, eventually, thyroid failure (hypothyroidism). In the beginning, thyroid hormone production decreases. In response to lower thyroid hormones levels, TSH increases and goitre can develop. In the later stages, the goitre can disappear because of the progressive destruction of the thyroid.”
Hashimoto’s disease has a transient hyperthyroid phase.
Resources:
http://www.thyroid.ca/thyroid_gland.php