In brief
An autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. It usually causes an underactive thyroid and is the most common cause of one in Australia.
- Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibody tests are used when an autoimmune cause is suspected.
- Women are more susceptible than men to autoimmune disorders in general.
- A few studies found that selenium supplements do not provide much benefit for the thyroid.
How it works
In Hashimoto's disease, your body's immune system attacks your thyroid gland, so over time it produces too little thyroid hormone. Doctors diagnose it with blood tests that check thyroid hormone levels and measure thyroid antibodies.
There is no cure, but an underactive thyroid is treated with thyroid hormone replacement, a synthetic version of thyroxine, and most people need it for the rest of their life. Hormone levels are checked regularly so the dose can be adjusted.
Myth check
The claim
Supplements can make Hashimoto's disease go away.
What the evidence says
Hashimoto's disease has no cure, according to healthdirect. A few studies found that selenium supplements do not provide much benefit for the thyroid, and too much selenium is harmful, according to the US National Institutes of Health.
Connections
4 connections on the map. Select a topic to read its page.
Hashimoto's disease can result from
Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland.
Hashimoto's disease can lead to
Hashimoto's disease usually causes hypothyroidism and is its most common cause in Australia.
Sources: healthdirect Australia, Hashimoto's disease; healthdirect Australia, Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
Hashimoto's disease has been studied with
- Selenium Emerging
A few studies found selenium supplements do not provide much benefit for the thyroid.
Source: NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Selenium fact sheet for consumers
Hashimoto's disease is measured by
Thyroid antibody tests, such as TPO antibodies, are used when an autoimmune thyroid cause is suspected.
Sources: Pathology Tests Explained, Thyroid function tests; healthdirect Australia, Hashimoto's disease
Lab tests
- Thyroid function tests (TSH, free T4, free T3)Blood tests that show how well your thyroid is working. TSH is usually measured first, and free T4 and free T3 are added if TSH is abnormal.
- Thyroid antibodies (TPO)A blood test for antibodies against the thyroid, used when an autoimmune thyroid condition such as Hashimoto's disease is suspected.
Medicines and supplements
General education only. Never start, stop or change a medicine without your prescriber.
Sources
- Hashimoto's disease
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
- Thyroid function tests
- Autoimmune disorders
- Selenium fact sheet for consumers
Each connection above names its own source. See every source AskBioMap uses.
Summarised from healthdirect, Pathology Tests Explained, the Better Health Channel and the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Sources read on 13, 16 and 19 October 2026. General education only, not medical advice. Spotted a mistake? Please tell us through the HuBu-Intel contact page.