Final answer:
Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder, increases the risk of thyroid nodules and hypothyroidism-related goiters, which are an enlargement of the thyroid gland due to the immune system's attack on thyroid cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hashimoto's thyroiditis predisposes individuals to the development of thyroid nodules, specifically those associated with hypothyroidism. In Hashimoto's, the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland, leading to inflammation and potential thyroid nodule formation. This autoimmune response can lead to a range of symptoms, including the formation of a goiter, which is an enlargement of the thyroid gland.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis commonly occurs in conjunction with other autoimmune disorders, such as Addison's disease, type 1 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis. It is characterized by the destruction of thyroid tissue by autoantibodies and cytotoxic lymphocytes. The involvement of TH1 cell-mediated immunity specifically targets thyroid cells for destruction. The presence of a goiter in individuals with Hashimoto's is indicative of a thyroid trying to compensate for the impaired function.
The condition is also associated with various signs and symptoms such as muscle weakness, stiff joints, depression, and memory loss. In contrast to iodine-deficiency goiter which is treated with iodine supplementation, giving iodine in the case of Hashimoto's thyroiditis is usually not helpful since the problem lies within the immune system attacking the thyroid gland itself.