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What is Hypothyroidism?

Posted by Melodie Munro on October 10, 2011 at 5:13pm
What is Hypothyroidism? Causes and Risk Factors Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Hypothyroidism Having a low level of thyroid hormone can affect the whole body - you might be tired, cholesterol levels can increase, heart attack or stroke are possible and low thyroid hormones can even harm an unborn baby. But millions of people do not know that they may have hypothyroidism . What is a hypo-thyroid? And what types of hypothyroidism are currently diagnosed? What is hypothyroidism? The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck. The thyroid gland creates hormones that control the way your body uses energy. A well-functioning thyroid makes a balanced amount of hormones that manage metabolism and influence body temperature, body weight and the number of calories we burn. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland fails to produce enough of the thyroid hormone . On the other hand, if your thyroid produces too much of these hormones, the cells in the body increase the rate at which they function, resulting in thyroid problems called "hyperthyroidism". Hypothyroidism causes significant problems in the body. But what causes this condition? And who is at risk of developing Hashimoto's or congenital hypothyroidism? Continue reading as we cover the causes and risk factors of hypothyroid in the section that follows. Hypothyroidism Causes and Risk Factors Causes of hypothyroidism Autoimmune thyroiditis - The body's immune system may produce a reaction in the thyroid gland that results in hypothyroidism and, most often, a goiter (enlargement of the thyroid). The most common cause of thyroid gland failure is called autoimmune thyroiditis or Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which is created by the immune system itself. Congenital condition - An infant may be born with an inadequate amount of thyroid tissue or an enzyme defect that does not allow normal thyroid hormone production. Medical treatments - The second major cause is the broad category of "medical treatments." The treatment of many thyroid conditions requires surgical removal of a part or all of the thyroid gland (thyroid cancer). Hypothyroidism occurs when thyroid producing cells remaining after surgery are not enough to meet the needs of the body. Medications - Lithium, high doses of iodine, and amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone) can cause hypothyroidism . Radioactive iodine treatment - Hypothyroidism can develop as a desired therapeutic goal after the use of radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism. Thyroid Operation - Hypothyroidism may be related to surgery on the thyroid gland, especially if most of the thyroid has been removed. Pituitary hypothyroidism - Any destructive disease of the pituitary gland may cause damage to the cells that secrete Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), which stimulates the thyroid to produce normal amounts of thyroid hormone. This is a very rare cause of hypothyroidism. Postpartum thyroiditis - Shortly after pregnancy, the thyroid may go through a period of hyperthyroidism, followed by hypothyroidism, and then most often returns to normal function. Subacute thyroiditis - Painful inflammation of the thyroid, the cause of which is unknown, may cause hypothyroidism after a period of overactivity (hyperthyroidism). Spontaneous onset - Underproduction of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism) can occur for no apparent reason. Risk factors Risk factors increase the likelihood of experiencing a disease or condition. A number of different factors can combine and make it more likely that a person will experience hypothyroidism. For example, people with certain medical conditions have a higher risk for hypothyroidism. Examples of medical conditions that increase risk of thyroid problems include: • Addison's disease • Anorexia or bulimia • Autoimmune diseases • Gout • Myasthenia gravis • Polycystic ovarian syndrome • Turner syndrome Other risk factors for hypothyroidism include: Age - The risk for hypothyroidism is greatest after 50 and increases with age. Ethnicity - African-Americans may be less likely to have thyroid disease than Caucasians and Asians. Gender - Women have 10 times the risk of hypothyroidism as men, with a significant increase in risk after age 34. Changes during both pregnancy and menopause should be carefully monitored. Genetics - Genetics plays a role in many cases of underactive and overactive thyroid. The genetics involved with hypothyroidism are complicated, however. Certain genetic features, for example, appear to play a role in Hashimoto's thyroiditis and postpartum thyroiditis in Caucasians, but others affect different ethnic groups. Medications - People of any age can get hypothyroidism, although people taking drugs are more at risk for developing problems that affect the thyroid. Therefore anyone being treated for a chronic disease, taking thyroid medication, and those at risk for a thyroid disorder should be aware of the impact these drugs may have on the thyroid. Smoking - Smoking significantly increases risk for thyroid disease, particularly autoimmune Hashimoto's thyroiditis and postpartum thyroiditis. Chemicals in cigarette smoke called thiocyanates appear to have especially harmful effects on the thyroid. Early identification and diagnosis of thyroid problems is key to receiving the best treatment available. Do you know how to identify the symptoms of Hypothyroidism? While some of the symptoms of Hypothyroidism are well known, there are additional symptoms to look for. Read the following symptoms section for more information about symptoms of hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism Symptoms The signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism vary widely, depending on the severity of hormone deficiency. But in general, thyroid problems tend to develop slowly, often over a number of years. At first, symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as fatigue and sluggishness may be barely noticeable. Occasionally, some people with hypothyroidism have no symptoms at all, or symptoms are so mild that they go totally unnoticed. But as metabolism continues to slow, you may develop more obvious signs and symptoms of a hypothyroid. Hypothyroidism symptoms Each individual person may experience any number of the following symptoms. Likewise, symptoms vary according to the severity of thyroid hormone deficiency and the length of time the body has been deprived of the proper amount of hormone. For example, one symptom may manifest as primary, while you may not experience another symptom at all. Most people, however, experience a combination of these symptoms. Hypothyroidism symptoms may include: • a puffy face • an elevated blood cholesterol level • brittle fingernails and hair • constipation • depression • fatigue • feeling cold • heavier than normal menstrual periods • hoarse voice • increased sensitivity to cold • menstrual irregularities • muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness • muscle weakness • pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints • pale, dry skin • sluggishness • unexplained weight gain Complications If you experience severe hypothyroidism a significant injury, infection, or exposure to cold or certain medications can trigger a life-threatening condition called myxedema coma. This condition can cause loss of consciousness and hypothermia, a life-threatening low body temperature. When to seek help If you notice increasing amounts of fatigue, muscle weakness, lethargy, and weight gain in your body, seek help from your doctor. Although these symptoms may be brought on my age or illness, you need the help of a doctor for correct diagnosis. Furthermore, talk to a doctor if you are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant and are exhibiting some of the above symptoms. Early symptoms of hypothyroidism are difficult to identify, so early screening can help. Schedule an appointment if you notice increasing signs of the following symptoms: • fatigue • lethargy • muscle weakness • weight gain It's important to diagnose and treat symptoms of hypothyroidism when you first notice them. This will help prevent the symptoms from worsening and causing serious complications. To learn more about how Hypothyroidism may be diagnosed, check out the next section on diagnosing Hyperthyroidism now. Hypothyroidism Diagnosis Characteristic symptoms of hypothyroidism and physical signs can signal hypothyroidism. However, the condition may develop so slowly many people do not realize that their body has changed. This is why it is important that doctors perform diagnostic laboratory tests to confirm a diagnosis and to determine the cause of hypothyroidism. Furthermore, diagnosing all types of hypothyroidism is important because treatment can immediately help. Who you see is generally dependent on the symptoms you manifest. To evaluate symptoms, first see your family doctor who can recommend you to a specialist, if necessary. Even though your family doctor may make the diagnosis of hypothyroidism, assistance is often needed from an endocrinologist, a physician who is a specialist in thyroid diseases. But generally, hypothyroidism can be diagnosed by these doctors or medical professionals: • Endocrinologist • Family medicine doctor or other primary care doctor • Gastroenterologist • Gynecologist • Internist • Nurse practitioner • Pediatrician • Physician assistant • Psychiatrist Medical exams To find out whether you are truly deficient in thyroid hormone, your doctor will first conduct a thorough physical exam and order a series of blood tests. During a physical, your doctor will check for signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism including a hands-on check of the thyroid gland for enlargement. Tests for basal body temperature are also performed. When required, other hypothyroidism tests are routine and easy to perform. Diagnostic tests should be administered as early as possible so that this condition can be diagnosed before hypothyroidism becomes severe and complications arise. The following hypothyroidism tests are commonly used: Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies test - This test confirms or excludes a Hashimoto's thyroiditis diagnosis, caused by antibodies produced by the body to attack the thyroid gland and render it under-active. Blood tests - Blood tests such as serum cholesterol are used to evaluate possible complications such as coronary artery disease, hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis caused by hypothyroidism. Chest x-ray, CT scan or MRI - These tests create a visual image of the chest, the brain and/or the pituitary gland. Electrocardiogram (ECG) - An ECG is used to diagnose possible heart complications as the result of hypothyroidism. RAIU (radioactive iodine uptake) - After doctors administer an iodine tracer dose, they measure the amount of iodine that has been absorbed. If it's too low, then it can mean the presence of hypothyroidism; if it's too high, then it can indicate the presence of hyperthyroidism. T3 and T4 tests - These blood tests measure the amount of free T4 and analyze the free T4 index, to find out how much unattached T4 hormone is available in your blood to get into cells. TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) test -THS testing is considered the best screening hypothyroidism test. Hypothyroidism is suspected if the TSH level is high and this is confirmed when compared with the level of the thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). If you have a high TSH and low T3 or T4 levels, then you will probably be diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Once diagnosed, hypothyroidism can be controlled quickly with the use of specialized medications. With proper treatment, most people who are diagnosed with hypothyroidism can even expect to recover from symptoms in a matter of hours. To learn more about how to treat hypothyroidism, continue reading the next section on Hypothyroid Treatment here. Hypothyroidism treatment Since most cases of hypothyroidism are permanent and can be progressive, it is necessary that doctors treat the condition as soon as possible after diagnosis. There are readily available and effective treatments for all common types of hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism can't be cured. But in almost every patient, hypothyroidism can be completely controlled. The goal of treatment is to restore the thyroid gland to normal function, producing normal levels of thyroid hormonesby getting and keeping TSH in the normal range. Specific treatment for hypothyroidism will be based on: • expectations for the course of the disease • extent of the disease • your age, overall health, and medical history • your opinion or preference • your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies Medications Hypothyroidism is treated with a single daily dose of thyroid hormone (thyroxine), given as a tablet. Medications for underactive thyroid work by replacing hormone that's missing. The approved medication for hypothyroidism is identical to the natural thyroid hormone produced by the body. The tablets come in over 10 different strengths and the initial dose is carefully selected based on information such as a person's weight, age, and other medical conditions. Only an experienced doctor can prescribe the correct form and dosage to return the thyroid balance to normal. Treatment depends upon a consistent manner every day. Side effects mostly occur because of overdose. Thyroid hormone acts very slowly in the body, so it may take several months after you being treatment to notice improvement in symptoms. Optimal adjustment of thyroid hormone dosage is critical, since the body is very sensitive to even small changes in thyroid hormone levels. Most people diagnosed with underactive thyroid need to take medication for a lifetime to maintain proper hormone levels. Routine laboratory tests are necessary to be certain that the correct dose is prescribed for the underlying condition. Optimal adjustment of thyroid hormone dosage is critical, since the body is very sensitive to even small changes in thyroid hormone levels. If you are diagnosed with hypothyroidism, you need to have TSH checked about every 6 to 10 weeks after a thyroxine dose change. You may need tests more often if you're pregnant or you're taking other medications that interfere with thyroxine. Babies must have TSH levels checked as they grow, to prevent mental retardation and stunted growth. Once you and your doctor have agreed to a thyroxine dose, you return for TSH testing only about once a year. You need to return sooner if: • hypothyroidism symptoms return or get worse • you gain or lose weight (even 10 lbs.) • you missed some pills • you start or stop taking a drug that can interfere with absorbing thyroid hormone, or you change your dose of such a drug • you want to change dose or brand, or take pills with or without food • you want to try stopping treatment - but only under a doctor's close supervision Read more: Hypothyroidism Treatment http://ehealthforum.com/health/hypothyroidism_treatment-e389.html#ixzz1aHlgDU85

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