Overview
Hypothyroidism also know as
underactive thyroid is a common disease in which the thyroid gland doesn’t
make and produce normal thyroid hormones into the bloodstream as a result body
metabolism get slows down. It is an endocrine system disorder.
Overt
hypothyroidism is a progressed form of subclinical
hypothyroidism. It happens when elevated TSH concentration is in the
presence of standard T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine) levels.
There are
two possible reasons for hypothyroidism or underactive
thyroid
1.
Abnormality in the thyroid itself (primary reason)
2.
As a result pituitary or hypothalamic diseases (secondary or
central)
General symptoms of
hypothyroidism are depression, weight gain, and fatigue (tiredness).
Diagnosis
can be confirmed with blood test Thyroid function test measures TSH, T3, and T4
levels.
Hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid can be successfully treated by hormone replacement therapy in which your provider prescribe you daily hormone
(which is thyroid is not making) to consume orally.
There are no
preventive measures against hypothyroidism but the majority of
cases are reasoned either by damage of the thyroid mostly occurs during some
treatment for thyroid cancer or overactive thyroid, or by the immune system impacting the thyroid gland and damaging it.
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Difference between hypothyroidism
(underactive thyroid) and Overt
hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism
is a frequent disease among older people, in which the thyroid gland doesn’t
produce enough amount of hormone to meet body requirements conversely overt
hypothyroidism is a progressed form of subclinical hypothyroidism that happens
when blood tests show elevated TSH and normal T3 and T4 hormones.
Difference between hypothyroidism and
hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidism
and hyperthyroidism are opposite medical conditions. Levels of your thyroid
hormones is the common dissimilarity between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism leads a higher amount of thyroid hormones which makes your body’s metabolism speedy. Conversely, in hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland
produces very little amount of hormones as a result body metabolism turns out
to be slow.
Many things
are different in both conditions if a person has hypothyroidism he may feel
difficulty dealing with colds, in hyperthyroidism may feel trouble dealing with
heat. Both are extremes of thyroid functions, ideally, it should be in middle.
Causes of hypothyroidism
Internationally,
too little iodine intake is the most common reason for hypothyroidism other
reason is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Less common
reasons include injury to the hypothalamus or previous anterior pituitary gland
or maybe previous treatment with radioactive iodine, previous thyroid surgery,
certain medications, or lack of proper functions of the thyroid gland at birth.
Who affects the most?
People over
the age of 60 are easily affected. Females and males both may develop underactive
thyroid or hypothyroidism, but it’s more familiar in women. Children may
also develop hypothyroidism and some newborn also.
Babies who
are born in the UK are generally screened for congenital hypothyroidism by
practicing a blood test called the blood spot test, at the age of five days.
When you
need to visit a healthcare provider
The symptoms
of hypothyroidism are mostly similar to those of other medical conditions, and
they progress slowly, so there is a possibility of noticing them for years.
The major
reason for the late noticing of symptoms of hypothyroidism in women is at the age
of 40 plus they may think they have started menopause rather than having
hypothyroidism due to irregular or absence of menstruation period.
You should
visit your healthcare provider and ask to be tested for hypothyroidism if you
have the symptoms mentioned below
Symptoms
- Depression
- Poor ability to
tolerate cold - Weight gain
- Brain fog (feeling
more forgetful) - Fatigue
(tiredness) - Constipation
- Slow heart rate
- Dry hair and skin
- Decrease sexual
desires - Drooping eyelids
and puffiness in the face and eyelids - High blood
cholesterol levels - Numbness and
tingling in the hands - The voice becomes
lower or hoarser - Sometimes there
may be swelling of the front part of the neck called goiter.
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Hyperthyroidism
or overactive thyroid causes, symptoms,
Diagnosis
The
actual diagnosis of hypothyroidism based on symptoms is difficult because
symptoms may confuse with other clinical disorders. If you have any symptoms
mentioned above, please visit your healthcare provider. The major way of
diagnosis is a thyroid function test called Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)
test. If your neck area swelled due to thyroiditis your healthcare provider can
easily check it.
Treatment
Mostly
Hypothyroidism is treated by hormone replacement therapy in which synthetic
hormone is given orally that the thyroid gland is no longer making. A common
use of that hormone medication is levothyroxine which elevates the thyroid
hormone level in the body.
It is a
curable disease. Nonetheless, you need to take continuous medication to
maintain normal thyroid levels in the blood. It all can be done by careful
management and follow-up appointments with your doctor to make sure the weather
treatment is working or not to lead a normal healthy life.
What happens if hypothyroidism/underactive
thyroid is not treated?
If
hypothyroidism is not treated it may turn into a serious and life-threatening
medical condition and your symptoms may develop into more severe and may
include
- Trouble in
breathing - Developing mental
health problems - Difficult to
maintain a normal body temperature - Developing heart
problems - Developing goiter
(enlargement of the thyroid gland - And the most
dangerous medical condition called myxedema coma may cause serious
symptoms such as low body temperature, confusion, coma, anemia, and heart
failure.
How does the thyroid
gland work?
The thyroid
gland is a butterfly-shaped small gland situated in the neck, just under the
voice box called the larynx. The middle part of the thyroid is centered on the
neck, with the wings holding close around the windpipe called the trachea.
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Functions
The thyroid
gland produces the hormones T3 and T4 work throughout the body to inform the
body cells how much energy to utilize.
These
hormones control your heart rate and body temperature.
Mode of action
When the
thyroid works normally, it’s frequently making and releasing hormones and after
that makes new hormones to replace previous been used. This process keeps
metabolism functioning and all of the body systems get in check. The
concentration of thyroid hormones in the bloodstream is managed by the
pituitary gland, which is situated in the center of the skull beneath the
brain. When the pituitary gland senses either too much hormones or lack few, it
amends its hormone called TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) and sends it to the
thyroid to redress the balance amount.
If the
concentration of thyroid hormones is too low (called hypothyroidism), or too
high (called hyperthyroidism) the whole body is affected.
