DESCRIPTION
The thyroid gland is at the base of the neck below the Adam's apple. This gland
produces a hormone which controls metabolism, or the rate at which our organs
function and burn calories. Hypothyroidism refers to the condition where the
thyroid gland is underactive and does not make enough thyroid hormone.
FREQUENT SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Coarse, dry hair
- Constipation
- Decreased heart rate
- Decreased sexual interest
- Deep, hoarse voice
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Poor tolerance to cold
- Thick, dry skin
- Unexplained weight gain
DIAGNOSIS
Blood work can measure the amount of stimulation of the thyroid by the pituitary
gland.
COMPLICATIONS IF NOT TREATED
- Mental confusion
- Depression
- Heart damage
- Infertility
- Coma (extreme cases)
CAUSES
- Thyroid gland wears out
- Family history of hypothyroidism
- Middle-aged and elderly women are most commonly affected
- Thyroiditis is thyroid failure due to attack on the thyroid gland by your
body's immune system
- Viral or bacterial infections can cause hypothyroidism temporarily but
usually do not result in permanent failure of the gland
- Pregnancy can cause the gland to be underactive for several months
- Diseases of the pituitary gland can cause hypothyroidism because the
pituitary gland is the "master gland" of the body which tells the thyroid to
make and release hormone
- Some people are born with an underactive thyroid gland (congenital)
TREATMENT
Once hypothyroidism is diagnosed, you will be prescribed synthetic hormone
tablets. Usually symptoms improve within a week of hormone therapy and all
symptoms should disappear within a few months. You will most likely need to take
them every day for the rest of your life. After starting treatment, the doctor
will periodically repeat the blood work to be sure the dosage of medicine is
correct. There is no way to prevent hypothyroidism, but the treatment is simple
and inexpensive.
