

Hashimoto's Encephalopathy / SREAT Alliance
Our mission is to support patients and caregivers, raise awareness, and advocate for vital research for Hashimoto's Encephalopathy and Seronegative Autoimmune Encephalitis.
Symptoms

HE presents with a wide variety of symptoms.Patients may have mild clinical or subclinical hypothyroidism (elevated serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and normal or low serum free thyroxine (T4) levels). However, normal thyroid function (TSH) is possible at the time of neurologic presentation. Hyperthyroidism (low TSH) is less commonly seen.
Clinical Presentation
People with Hashimoto's encephalopathy may experience some neurological symptoms and changes to their mental health, such as:​
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cognitive impairment, or reduced ability to think
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seizures
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confusion
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behavior changes
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hallucination
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delusion
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auditory hallucination
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schizophrenia
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abnormal movement
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sleep disturbance
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ataxia
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stroke-like episode
However, doctors can typically treat the condition and successfully reduce or eliminate symptoms.
Based on HESA's online patient survey in 2015
(over 100 confirmed diagnosed patients in our online community)
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Pain
Joint/muscle pain
Muscle twitches/ cramps/spasms
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Neurological
Severe Fatigue
Tire out of proportion to acitivity
Numbness/ tingling
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Cognitive
Reduced ability to multitask
Difficulty following through/ finishing tasks
Short attention span/ limited concentration
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Sensory
Overly sensitive to sound
Over-stimulated by auditory/visual input
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Social-Emotional
Dislike crowds/ groups
Increased anxiety/ fearfulness
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Language/ Communication
Word finding problems
Loss of train of thought
Difficulty participating in conversations
Di Muzio B, Sharma R, Deng F, et al. Steroid-Di Muzio B, Sharma R, Deng F, et al. Steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with autoimmune thyroiditis. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 15 Apr 2025) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-38874