POST OPERATIVE HYPOCALCEMIA IN HASHIMOTO'S THYROIDITIS

Hashimoto's thyroiditis, also termed chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disorder characterized by progressive destruction of thyroid tissue due to lymphocytic infiltration and the production of anti-thyroid antibodies,such as anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG) antibodies. This condition predominantly affects women,with a female-to-male ratio of approximately 6:1,and typically manifests between the third and fifth decades of life. Histopathologically, the thyroid gland exhibits follicular atrophy, Hurthle cell metaplasia, and stromal fibrosis interspersed with lymphoid germinal centers. While many patients remain euthyroid initially, the disease often progresses to hypothyroidism, necessitating lifelong thyroid hormone replacement. Genetic predisposition (e.g., HLA1 DR3/DR4 alleles) and environmental triggers (e.g., iodine excess, viral infections) are implicated in its etiology. Hashimoto's is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States, India and globally. It can occur to anyone, but it is seen more often in women,those with a family history 7 of thyroid disease and more frequently with advancing age .