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Hypothyroidism |
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Hypothyroidism
is a silent condition that affects 1.5 million American women. The disorder can
strike in the early twenties, and sometimes in the late teen years, but it is
most common in women over the age of 45. In fact, one
in ten women will be afflicted with Hypothyroidism by the age of 50. In general, thyroid
disorders, affect women more often than men; in the case of Hypothyroidism, women are
five times more likely than men to develop the disorder.
Hypothyroidism is considered a silent disease because its symptoms are related to aging and other biological milestones, such as pregnancy and menopause. Its two main symptoms, fatigue and weight gain, are easily blamed on aging, poor diet, lack of exercise, and other basic health issues. Consequently, people often fail to talk to their doctor about their symptoms. In the following paragraphs, you will find answers to important questions regarding Hypothyroidism. It is my hope that this information may help you or a loved one learn that there is treatment for what can appear to be simply fatigue. |
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What is Hypothyroidism? |
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Hypothyroidism is a disease of the thyroid, a small organ located in the lower front of your neck. The thyroid is an integral part of healthy metabolism affecting such things as your heart rate and the rate at which you burn calories. When your thyroid produces the right amounts of hormones, your metabolism functions normally and your overall health is maintained. However, when your thyroid cannot produce sufficient quantities of thyroid hormones, your thyroid is considered to be "under active", and this condition is called Hypothyroidism. |
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What are the symptoms of Hypothyroidism? |
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Hypothyroidism develops slowly, and symptoms rarely appear immediately. At first you may only feel tired and sluggish. However, as time passes, an under active thyroid can lead to a great number of health problems. The severity of hypothyroidism's symptoms is dependent on the degree of hormone deficiency. Those who are severely deficient in thyroid hormones will experience both a greater number and greater effect of symptoms, while those with slight deficiency may experience few symptoms that are not severe or obvious. Some of the following symptoms can be easily confused with the effects of aging; however, they may also indicate a thyroid deficiency: |
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How is Hypothyroidism diagnosed? |
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Until recently, doctors were unable to detect an under active thyroid until symptoms were quite advanced. Thankfully, a new test has been developed that can identify the disorder much earlier--often before symptoms are even noticed. The preliminary test used to diagnose thyroid disorders is commonly referred to as the TSH test. TSH is an abbreviation for thyroid stimulating hormone; it is a chemical released by the pituitary gland that stimulates the thyroid to produce more thyroid hormone based on your body's specific needs. When the level of TSH in the blood is high, and the level of thyroid hormone is low, Hypothyroidism is diagnosed, because it indicates that the body is telling the thyroid to produce more thyroid hormones (as evidenced by the elevated amount of TSH in the blood) but that the thyroid is unable to manufacture enough hormone to keep up with the demand (as seen by the low thyroid hormone level in the blood). In a healthy body, when TSH is released by the pituitary gland, into the blood stream, the thyroid is able to respond quickly. It releases thyroid hormones into the blood and creates a balance in the body that allows metabolism to function efficiently, which leads to a person feeling of "energized". |
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How is Hypothyroidism treated? |
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Once it has been determined that your thyroid is under active, a thyroid
hormone supplement can be prescribed. This medication is a synthetic hormone called
levothyroxine; levothyroxine is sold with the brand names Synthroid,
Levoxyl, and Levothroid. This oral
medication will most likely have to be taken daily for the rest of your life.
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Complications of Hypothyroidism? |
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If left untreated, an under active thyroid may cause problems in nearly every organ system in your body; these complications will be dependent upon the severity of your specific case. The cardiovascular system can have the effects of a slowed heart rate and/or increased diastolic blood pressure. If the kidneys are affected you may retain more water or notice edema (swelling). The liver can also be effected by the disorder resulting in increased LDL (bad) cholesterol and increased triglycerides. Your thyroid may also enlarge (a condition known as goiter) if treatment is not found, because the body constantly attempts to stimulate the thyroid to make more hormones. In women, untreated hypothyroidism can cause abnormally heavy periods, missed ovulation, decreased fertility, and missed menstrual periods. Other systems of the body are affected, including the gastrointestinal tract, the central nervous system, the musculoskeletal system, and the skin and hair. However, most of these complications caused by lack of treatment or poor treatment are identical to the symptoms that are listed above. |
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Related Web Sites |
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References
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Nazareth College
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