Contributor: Gordon K. Klintworth
Hashimoto disease (Hashimoto thyroiditis, chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, chronic lymphocytic thyroidiitis is an autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland characterized by cell-mediated immunity to thyroid tissue and circulating antibodies to thyroid antigens. There is a genetic predisposition for this type of  autoimmune thyroiditis [thyroiditis - autoimmune] that is named after the Japanese surgeon Hakaru Hashimoto (1881-1934). There is a high incidence of  Hashimoto thyroiditis in individuals with Down syndrome and familial Alzheimer disease [Alzheimer disease - familial]. Families of patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis have an increased prevalence of Addison disease, multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type II, insulin-dependent diabetes [diabetes mellitus - insulin dependent], pernicious anemia, and myasthenia gravis.