Hashimoto's encephalopathy is a rare autoimmune disease associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Among the features of the pathology are high levels of antithyroid antibodies and the presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms.
The prevalence of the disease is 2 cases per 100,000, and it is diagnosed in women 5 times more often than in men. Patients aged 45-55 years are considered to be most affected by the pathology, but it occurs even in children and elderly people.
Hashimoto's encephalopathy is accompanied by a wide range of mental and neurological disorders. Most commonly, patients are disturbed by the following symptoms:
• disorientation in space and time;
• memory loss;
• epileptic seizures;
• headaches;
• speech impairment;
• partial paralysis of the body;
• hyperkinesis;
• balance disruption.
In most cases, the clinical picture develops acutely (within a few hours or days), less often subacute (over a period of 1-3 weeks). In any case, if mental and neurological disorders occur (if the condition does not require urgent medical attention), it is important to make an appointment with the doctor immediately. The prognosis for recovery increases considerably if the diagnosis is made in time and treatment is started.
