Hypothyroidism, also called underactive thyroid disease, is the condition in which your thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped gland located in the front lower part of your neck. Hormones released by the gland travel through the bloodstream and affect nearly every part of the body, from one’s heart and brain, to muscles and skin. Without the right amount of thyroid hormones the body’s natural functions begin to slow down. If you are dealing with hypothyroidism or are doubtful about the same then worry not, you’ve stumbled into the right place. Let’s take a quick look at all contributing factors, symptoms and solutions to hypothyroidism.
Causes of hypothyroidism
There may be multiple reasons as to why your thyroid gland is not able to produce adequate hormones which leads to hypothyroidism. Some of the reasons are:
Hypothyroidism symptoms
Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism vary from person to person depending on severity of the hormone deficiency and pre-existing co morbidities. The symptoms also then to develop over a period of time rather than all at once. The symptoms may include:
Diagnosis for hypothyroidism
Since the symptoms are so varied and so dynamic, seeking help for hypothyroidism could be quite hard. If you encounter one or more of these symptoms together for a prolonged period of time then definitely consider seeking medical help. Two primary tools are used to determine if you have hypothyroidism; a medical evaluation and blood tests.
Medical evaluation
Doctor will complete a thorough physical exam and medical history. They’ll check for physical signs of hypothyroidism, including:
In addition, your doctor will ask you to report any symptoms you’ve been experiencing, such as fatigue, depression, constipation, or constantly feeling cold. If you have a known family history of thyroid conditions, tell your doctor during this exam.
Blood tests
Blood tests are the only way to reliably confirm a diagnosis of hypothyroidism. A thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test measures how much TSH your pituitary gland is creating:
A thyroxine (T4) level test is also useful in diagnosing hypothyroidism. T4 is one of the hormones directly produced by your thyroid. Used together, T4 and TSH tests help evaluate thyroid function. Typically, if you have a low level of T4 along with a high level of TSH, you have hypothyroidism. However, since there is a plethora of thyroid diseases, other thyroid function tests may be necessary to properly diagnose your condition.
Treatment for hypothyroidism
In most cases, hypothyroidism is treated by prescribing a hormone replacement for thyroid that your body is no longer making. One medication that is commonly used is called levothyroxine. Taken orally, this medication increases the amount of thyroid hormone your body produces, evening out your levels. More often people with hypothyroidism must remain on this medication their entire lives. However, it’s unlikely you’ll continue to take the same dose, especially if you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
To make sure your medication is still working properly, you should get a TSH test done yearly. Apart from this, be sure to include foods rich in iodine like spinach, seaweed, seafood etc.
Hypothyroidism is a manageable disease and hence will not affect the functioning of your life, provided you follow all medications and health related practices.
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