Pathophysiology of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism.

Autoimmune Hashimoto's thyroiditis, the most common endocrine disorder, is primarily a subclinical disease. Whether or not subclinical hypothyroidism should be treated remains controversial. Recent advances have been made in understanding the molecular nature of the antigens that are the target of the immune system in Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The "microsomal antigen" is now recognized to be thyroid peroxidase.