The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland located in the neck. Hormones created by the thyroid gland control metabolism and growth. When the thyroid doesn’t produce enough of these hormones a person has hypothyroidism.
Causes of Hypothyroidism
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s own antibodies kill the thyroid gland. This is the most common cause of hypothyroidism.
A patient that has thyroid cancer will end up hypothyroid after the removal of the thyroid gland.
Radioactive Iodine Treatments will leave patients hypothyroid. These treatments are performed when someone has hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), or goiters and nodules.
Pituitary problems are another cause of hypothyroidism. The pituitary gland produces TSH, or thyroid stimulating hormone. If it doesn’t produce enough a person is left hypothyroid.
As people get older they can develop hypothyroidism. This is more common in women than men because of hormonal changes.
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
- Weight gain
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Muscle Aches
- Constipation
- Dry Skin
- Irritability
- Heavy Periods
- Depression
- Memory Loss
- Cold Intolerance
Risks Involved with Hypothyroidism
Goiter: The thyroid gland will try to produce more TSH when low. This will result in too much hormone hitting the thyroid gland all at once and a goiter will be formed.
Depression: Constantly feeling bad, hurting, memory loss, and fatigue can lead to serious depression in some hypothyroid patients.
Heart Failure and Coma are serious consequences of untreated hypothyroidism.
Diagnosing Hypothyroidism
Endocrinologists are specialists that treat thyroid patients. If you can’t see an endocrinologist, your primary physician or Internist can treat thyroid problems also.
You doctor will perform blood tests to determine if you have hypothyroidism. One test that is performed is the TSH test. This tests the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone in your body. Another test that may be performed is a thyroid antibody test. This will determine if you have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. T-4 hormone levels will also be checked. All of these tests are simple blood tests.
Patients will be tested every 2-3 months at the beginning of treatment, then go to once every 6 months. After a year or two most people only have yearly thyroid tests performed.
*It’s important to note that you should see your doctor if your symptoms recur or worsen.
Treatment
Hypothyroidism is treated with once or twice daily medication. The most popular medication is Levothyroxine, which is the synthetic form of T-4. Some patients will need T-3, another thyroid hormone also. One medication that contains T-3 and T-4 is Thyrolar. Some patients will prefer taking Levothyroxine and adding T-3 in the form of Cytomel. Patients who still have symptoms after taking synthetic hormones may need natural thyroid medication. This medication is called Armour Thyroid and is made from dissected pig thyroid.
Conclusion
If you have any of the symptoms mentioned in this article, tell your doctor and have the blood tests ran. Treating hypothyroidism will have a profound impact on your quality of life.
