The effect of autoimmune thyroiditis on the organs and systems of the body (a literature review)

• Main Authors: V.O. Shidlovskyi, O.V. Shidlovskyi, V.V. Kravtsiv
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Publishing House Zaslavsky 2021-04-01
• Series: Mìžnarodnij Endokrinologìčnij Žurnal
• Subjects: autoimmune thyroiditis, cardiovascular system, ferti­lity, autoimmune diseases, review
• Online Access: http://iej.zaslavsky.com.ua/article/view/230569
• ISSN: 2224-0721; 2307-1427

Background. In recent years, scientific reports on the effects of autoimmune thyroiditis on the body have been published. They concern separate organs and systems that does not allow receiving the general picture of pathological reactions of the body to autoimmune aggression. The review analyzes the literature sources about the pathological significance of autoimmune thyroiditis for the body as a whole. Sources of information. The sources of information were reports in domestic and, mainly, fo­reign periodicals on general medicine, pathophysiology, immuno­logy, and endocrinology. Synthesis of evidence. The effect of autoimmune thyroiditis and hypothyroidism on the function of body systems is considered from the standpoint of the interaction of both autoimmune thyroiditis on organs and systems and body systems on the thyroid gland, in particular on the development of its autoimmune pathology. In general, autoimmune thyroiditis and its consequence — hypothyroidism affect all organs and systems of the body without exception by reducing the level of metabolic processes and the accumulation of glucosaminoglycans, mainly glucuronic acid in the tissues of the body. As a result, interstitial edema develops, mainly in muscle tissue, including the muscular layer of the hollow organs of the digestive tract. The clinical symptoms of such lesions depend on the disease severity and the depth of metabolic disorders and have significant individual differences. They concern to all the systems and organs of the body. The effects on the cardiovascular and reproductive systems, musculoskeletal system, gastrointestinal tract are the most significant for health. Conclusions. The mentioned data expand knowledge and create a holistic view of autoimmune thyroiditis not as a local autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland but as a local manifestation of general autoimmune disease of the body.