Cytological Features of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (Chronic Lymphocytic Thyroiditis): A Literature Review
Abstract
Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT) or autoimmune thyroiditis, is the most common inflammatory disease of the thyroid gland and the leading cause of hypothyroidism in iodine-sufficient regions [7, 8]. It is a chronic, organ-specific autoimmune disorder marked by immune-mediated destruction of thyroid follicular cells, initiated by activation of CD4⁺ T helper cells that stimulate production of autoantibodies directed against thyroid-specific antigens, notably thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and thyroglobulin (Tg) [7]. Clinically, HT often presents as painless thyroid enlargement, though many patients remain euthyroid at diagnosis and functional deterioration develops gradually over time [10].
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