Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid)

 

When your thyroid gland doesn't produce and release enough hormones into your bloodstream, you have hypothyroidism. Because the illness slows down your metabolism, you may experience unexpected weight gain or constant fatigue. The most popular treatment for an underactive thyroid is hormone replacement therapy.

When the thyroid gland produces enough thyroid hormone, hypothyroidism results. Another name for the condition is underactive thyroid. Early-stage hypothyroidism may not exhibit any symptoms. Untreated hypothyroidism can eventually result in cardiac issues and high cholesterol, among other health issues.

Hypothyroidism is diagnosed via blood testing. Once you and your healthcare professional determine the ideal dosage for you, thyroid hormone medication treatment is typically easy, safe, and successful.

What is hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid disease) is a condition that happens when your thyroid gland doesn’t make or release enough hormone into your bloodstream. As a result, your metabolism slows down. This can cause unintentional weight gain and make you feel exhausted all the time.

Although weight gain and fatigue aren’t specific to hypothyroidism, a simple blood test can help your healthcare provider check for this condition.

In general, hypothyroidism is very treatable. Most people can manage the condition with medication and regular follow-up visits with their endocrinologist.

Left untreated over long periods of time, hypothyroidism can become life-threatening. If you develop new symptoms, it’s important to get an evaluation.

What symptoms of hypothyroidism are present?

Symptoms of hypothyroidism typically appear gradually over time. It may take years in certain situations. Among the potential symptoms are:

• Brain fog (difficulty focusing or forgetting).

• Anxiety and depression.

• Coarse, dry skin and hair.

• Elevated cholesterol levels in the blood.

• Feeling fatigue.

• Heavy or frequent menstrual cycles.

• A hoarseness.

• A lack of tolerance for frigid temperatures.

• Your hands may feel tingly or numb.

• Physical alterations to your face, such as puffiness around your eyes and drooping eyelids.

• Unexplained Weight gain.

• Muscular weakness or soreness.

Hypothyroidism in infants:

Hypothyroidism can affect anyone, including newborns. The majority of newborns who are born without a thyroid gland or with a not working thyroid gland have no symptoms immediately. However, symptoms begin to manifest if hypothyroidism is not identified and treated. They could consist of:

• Feeding issues.

• Inadequate growth.

• Inadequate weight gain.

• Jaundice is the term for the yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes.

• Constipation.

• Muscle tone is poor.

• Skin dry.

• A hoarse crying

• Enlarged tongue.

• An umbilical hernia is a soft enlargement or protrusion that occurs close to the belly button.

Causes:

The most frequent cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's disease. Since it's an autoimmune disease, your thyroid is attacked by your immune system.

Additional causes of hypothyroidism include:

• Certain medications such as amiodarone, thalidomide, and lithium.

• Conditions that exist from birth, such as a thyroid gland that is absent or not work properly.

• Iodine deficiency is the state in which your body does not contain enough iodine.

• Diseases of the pituitary gland, such as benign tumors.

• Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid that may occur during pregnancy or following a viral disease.

What are the hypothyroidism risk factors?

Everybody can develop hypothyroidism. The issue is more likely to affect people who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) or who have a/an

• Autoimmune disease.

• Genetic predisposition (a sibling or biological parent who has the condition).

• Thyroid surgery history, including thyroid gland excision.

• Pregnancy.

• Radiation treatment for the head and neck in the past.

• Initiation or stopping of certain medications.

What complications might hypothyroidism cause?

Complications from hypothyroidism are rare when treated. However, if left untreated, an underactive thyroid can result in additional health issues such as:

• Goiter.

• Heart problems.

• Infertility.

• Birth defects or miscarriages.

• Peripheral nerve damage.

• Myxedema coma is an uncommon but possibly life-threatening condition that can impact several organs.

How is a diagnosis of hypothyroidism made?

During a physical examination, a healthcare professional will gently press around your thyroid to check for swelling. In addition, they will thoroughly examine your medical history and inquire about your symptoms.

To accurately diagnose hypothyroidism, medical professionals typically do thyroid tests. This is due to the fact that symptoms of an underactive thyroid might resemble those of other, unrelated medical disorders. Thyroid blood tests quantify the amounts of each thyroid hormone (T3 and T4) as well as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood.

Additionally, you may require thyroid imaging tests, such as:

• Ultrasound.

• Computed tomography, or CT, scan.

• A type of nuclear medicine imaging is the thyroid uptake scan.

 Treatment hypothyroidism?

Hormone replacement therapy is the most widely used treatment for hypothyroidism. A drug called levothyroxine (Synthroid®, Levo-T®) substitutes the hormones your thyroid is unable to produce on its own. The majority of individuals take it empty stomach in the morning. Levothyroxine might balance your hormone levels and get rid of your symptoms if you take it every day.

To determine the right dosage, some trial and error will be required. Your doctor will accomplish this by performing regular thyroid blood tests until your TSH levels even out.

For the remainder of your life, you will require medicine for hypothyroidism. You can live a normal and healthy life with proper management and frequent check-ups with your doctor.

References:

• American Thyroid Association. Hypothyroidism (Underactive) (http://www.thyroid.org/hypothyroidism/). Accessed 9/24/2024.

• Hyperthyroidism in infants and children. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/endocrine-disorders-in-children/hypothyroidism-in-infants-and-children. Accessed Nov. 10, 2022.

• Bowden SA, Goldis M. Congenital Hypothyroidism (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK558913/). 2023 Jun 5. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan. Accessed 9/24/2024.

• Office on Women’s Health (U.S.). Thyroid Disease (https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/thyroid-disease). Page last updated 02/22/2021. Accessed 9/24/2024.

• Hypothyroidism. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/hypothyroidism. Accessed Nov. 10. 2022.

• Office on Women’s Health (U.S.). Thyroid Disease (https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/thyroid-disease). Page last updated 02/22/2021. Accessed 9/24/2024.

• Hypothyroidism. American Thyroid Association. https://www.thyroid.org/hypothyroidism/. Accessed Nov. 10, 2022.