A New Classification for Human Autoimmune Thyroid Disease

We propose a new classification for the human autoimmune thyroid diseases including Graves' disease and Hashimoto's disease. The system proposed involves redefining the term "thyroiditis" and recognition that all clinicians need to speak the same language of medicine whatever their specialty and whatever their nationality. Major advances in our understanding of autoimmune mechanisms suggest that a new classification can add considerable clarity to clinical definitions.