Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid): Symptoms, Causes, Types & Treatment Options 20/03/2024
Authored by Dr Anushka Tyagi (BDS, MDS Orthodontics)
What is Hypothyroidism?
A disease in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. The underactive thyroid occurs when the thyroid gland doesn’t make enough thyroid hormones to meet your body’s needs. The thyroid gland is a small, oval-shaped gland located in the front of the neck. Thyroid hormones control the body's use of energy and affect almost every organ in the body, including the way the heart beats. Without enough thyroid hormones, many body functions can be impaired. When your thyroid levels are extremely low, this is called myxedema. In general, hypothyroidism is a very treatable condition. It can be managed with regular medications and follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider.
Table of Contents:
1. Symptoms of the Underactive Thyroid
2. How to Manage/Treat Hypothyroidism
3. Prevention of Hypothyroidism
4. Causes of Hypothyroidism
5. Treatment of Hypothyroidism
6. Frequent Asked Questions
7. Diagnosis
Symptoms of the Underactive Thyroid:
· Feeling tired (fatigue).
· Experiencing deadness and shivering in
your hands.
· Having constipation.
· Gaining weight.
· Experiencing soreness all through your
body (can incorporate muscle weakness).
· Having higher than ordinary blood
cholesterol levels.
· Feeling depressed.
· Being incapable to endure cold
temperatures.
· Having dry, coarse skin and hair.
· Experiencing a diminish sexual interest.
· Having visit and overwhelming menstrual
periods.
· Seeing physical changes in your face (
hanging eyelids, as well as puffiness within the eyes and face).
· Having your voice gotten to be lower and
hoarser.
· Feeling more distracted (“brain fog”).
How to Manage/Treat Hypothyroidism?
In most cases, hypothyroidism is treated by replacing the amount of hormone that your thyroid is no longer producing. This is usually done with medication. One more commonly used drug is levothyroxine. When taken by mouth, this medication increases the amount of thyroid hormone your body produces, which balances your levels.
Hypothyroidism is a manageable condition. However, for the rest of your life, you will have to constantly take medication to normalize the level of hormones in the body. With careful care and consultation with your healthcare provider, you can live a normal, healthy life.
Prevention of Hypothyroidism:
Hypothyroidism cannot be prevented. The best way to avoid developing a serious illness or having symptoms that seriously affect your life is to watch for the signs of hypothyroidism. If you have any symptoms of hypothyroidism, it is best to talk to your doctor. Hypothyroidism is very manageable if you catch it early and start treatment.
Causes of Hypothyroidism:
· Hashimoto’s disease:
An autoimmune disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. With this disease, your immune system attacks your thyroid gland. The thyroid gland becomes inflamed and cannot produce enough thyroid hormones.
· Thyroiditis:
An inflammation of the thyroid gland, that causes stored thyroid hormone to leak out of the thyroid gland. Initially, the leak increases hormone levels in the blood, leading to thyrotoxicosis, a condition in which thyroid hormone levels are too high. Thyrotoxicosis can last for several months. After this, your thyroid can become underactive, and over time the condition can become permanent, requiring thyroid hormone replacement.
· Congenital hypothyroidism:
Some babies are born with a thyroid gland that is not fully developed or does not work properly. Untreated congenital hypothyroidism can lead to developmental delays and growth failure - when a child does not grow as expected. Early treatment can prevent these problems.
· Surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid:
When surgeons remove part of the thyroid gland, the remaining part can produce normal amounts of thyroid hormone. However, some people who have this surgery may develop hypothyroidism. Removal of the entire thyroid always results in hypothyroidism.
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Treatment of Hypothyroidism:
Hypothyroidism is treated by replacing hormones that your thyroid gland can no longer produce. You are taking levothyroxine, a thyroid hormone medication that is identical to the hormone produced by a healthy thyroid gland. Usually prescribed as a pill, the drug is also available as a liquid and soft gel capsule. These newer formulas can help people with digestive problems absorb thyroid hormones. The doctor may recommend taking the medicine in the morning before a meal.
The doctor will do a blood test about 6-8 weeks after you start taking the medicine and adjust the dose if necessary. Each time the dose is changed, you will have a new blood test. Once you've reached the right dose for you, your doctor will repeat the blood test after 6 months and every year thereafter.
Hypothyroidism can probably be completely controlled with thyroid hormone medication as long as you take the recommended dose as directed. Never stop taking medication without first talking to your doctor. Too much thyroid hormone medication can cause serious problems such as atrial fibrillation or osteoporosis.
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Frequent Asked Questions:
Q. Who is affected by hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism can affect people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities. It is a common disease, especially in women over 60 years of age. Women are generally more likely to develop hypothyroidism after menopause than before.
Q. Does birth control affect my thyroid?
If you use birth control pills, the estrogen and progesterone in the pill can affect the proteins that bind to the thyroid gland. This will increase your level. If you have hypothyroidism, the dose of the drug should be increased when you use birth control pills. If you stop using birth control pills, the dose should be reduced.
Q. Can hypothyroidism cause erectile dysfunction?
In some cases, there may be a link between untreated hypothyroidism and erectile dysfunction. If your hypothyroidism is caused by a pituitary problem, you may also have low testosterone. Treatment of hypothyroidism can often help erectile dysfunction if it is directly caused by a hormonal disorder.
Q. What causes hypothyroidism in pregnancy?
In most cases, women with hypothyroidism during pregnancy have Hashimoto's disease. This autoimmune disease causes the body's immune system to attack and damage the thyroid gland. When this happens, the thyroid gland is unable to produce and release high enough levels of thyroid hormone, which affects the entire body. Pregnant women with hypothyroidism may feel very tired,have trouble coping with the cold, and have muscle cramps.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosing hypothyroidism can be difficult because the symptoms can easily be confused with other diseases. If you have any symptoms of hypothyroidism, talk to your doctor . The main way to diagnose hypothyroidism is with a blood test called a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test. A healthcare provider may also order blood tests for conditions such as Hashimoto's disease. If your thyroid is enlarged, your provider can feel it during a physical exam during your appointment.
