Is it best to remove the thyroid if you have Hasimoto's disease?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is named after Dr. Hakaru
Hashimoto, a Japanese surgeon. The disease eventually causes hypothyroidism in people
who are iodine deficient. The thyroid gland becomes inflamed and fibrotic. It is
nonfunctional when fibrosis consumes the gland. The disease is thought to be autoimmune
in nature but iodine deficiencies also play a role in the progression of the disease. It
may affect people of all ages but is most commonly seen in elderly
women.

Thyroidectomy is not the standard of care due to the
fibrotic condition of the gland. However, thyroid replacement hormone therapy is
necessary. These exogenic hormones mimic the actions of the thyroid hormones and are
critical for cellular metabolism.

Endocrinology/Davis et
all/p.388