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Symptoms

Symptoms

Doctor Reviewing Documents

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:​

  • cognitive impairment, or reduced ability to think

  • seizures

  • confusion

  • behavior changes

  • hallucination

  • delusion

  • auditory hallucination

  • schizophrenia

  • mood disturbance

  • abnormal movement

  • sleep disturbance 

  • ataxia

  • 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)

 

  • Pain

         Joint/muscle pain

         Muscle twitches/ cramps/spasms

  • Neurological

         Severe Fatigue

         Tire out of proportion to acitivity

         Numbness/ tingling

  • Cognitive

         Reduced ability to multitask

         Difficulty following through/ finishing tasks

         Short attention span/ limited concentration

  • Sensory

         Overly sensitive to sound

         Over-stimulated by auditory/visual input

  • Social-Emotional

         Dislike crowds/ groups

         Increased anxiety/ fearfulness

  • 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

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Content published to this website not evaluated by a medical professional unless otherwise noted. Articles and studies are linked to for personal reference, not to provide advice, diagnosis, or treatment of any medical condition or suspected medical condition.

Although you will find a great deal of information about HE/SREAT and Seronegative AE here, it is intended to provide information only. HESA cannot provide medical advice. If you have HE/SREAT or Seronegative Autoimmune Encephalitis, or think you may have it, consult a qualified neurologist, preferably one with experience addressing immune-mediated illness. HESA shall not be held responsible for the contents of links to studies, their errors, omissions, or any malicious software they may contain.

All information is provided for your personal use and research without warranty.

© 2022 Hashimoto's Encephalopathy SREAT Alliance
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