Hashimoto’s disease is the result of a swelling on the thyroid located in the front portion of the neck. The swelling leads to a goiter that can cause trouble in swallowing and some other complications. It is caused when the immune system attacks the tissues around the thyroid, this is a hormonal condition as the attack prevents the thyroid for creating new hormones. The causes of this disease include genes, hormones, excess iodine content in the body, and/or exposure to radiation. The common symptoms include a swelling on the thyroid, fatigue, weakness, depression, weight gain, and joint or muscle pain. Diagnosis If you have had a thyroid problem in the past, your doctor will test you for Hashimoto’s disease. He will also test you if you feel tired, constipated, have dry skin or a sore throat. For the exact diagnosis, you will have to take a blood test to measure the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSD). These tests include: A hormone test. A blood test is ideal for you to indicate if you have Hashimoto’s disease or not, the test can determine the amount of hormones being produced by your thyroid or your pituitary glands. If the count of the hormones produced by your thyroid is low, you might have Hashimoto’s disease.