Hypothyroidism

Symptoms

Hypothyroidism, which occurs when an underactive thyroid does not produce enough hormones, can be a dangerous condition if untreated.

Instead of the bodily systems speeding up and overheating, they slow down in a variety of ways. This thyroid disease's symptoms include the following:

• Fatigue
• Mental depression
• Sluggishness
• Feeling cold
• Weight gain
• Dry skin and hair
• Constipation
• Menstrual irregularities

NOTE: The most severe expression of hypothyroidism may be referred to as myxedema. If you have severe hypothyroidism, a significant injury, infection, or exposure to cold or certain medications may trigger a life-threatening condition called myxedema coma. This condition may cause a patient to lose consciousness and to develop hypothermia, a life-threatening low body temperature.

Hypothyroidism can be traced to a number of conditions. These conditions include:

• A problem in the thyroid gland
• Drugs or diseases that affect thyroid function
• The pituitary gland that does not make enough thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
• Treatment for hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone) with radioactive iodine or surgery

Treatments

Hypothyroidism is treated by replacing the thyroid hormone the body needs. This is usually done with an oral tablet or pill of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4 or levothyroxine). A person will usually notice an improvement in their health and a decrease of the symptoms of thyroid disease within two weeks. Bad cases of hypothyroidism, however, may take longer to correct. Although not typically recommended, except in unusual cases, a patient may be given T3, or a combination of T3 and T4. Most patients with hypothyroidism will need to be on T4 treatment for the rest of their lives. They have to work closely with their doctor, take their medication as directed, and be monitored regularly in case the dose of the medication needs to be adjusted. If too much T4 is taken, a person can develop a mild case of hyperthyroidism, another thyroid hormone imbalance. If they do not get enough, the symptoms of hypothyroidism will return.

A patient may need special attention if in addition to suffering from thyroid problems, he or she is:

• Older or has a weak heart. Thyroid hormone can make the heart work harder. A lower dose may be needed.
• Pregnant. Higher doses may be needed during pregnancy. Frequent monitoring is required during this time, too, because the thyroid hormone dosage may change. An adjustment in dosage may be necessary after delivering the baby as well.
• Having surgery. A person should have enough T4 in his or her system before surgery to undergo the anesthesia and have a satisfactory recovery. If an individual is unable to take medicine by mouth, T4 can be given intravenously after surgery. A diagnosis of hypothyroidism is especially important in pregnancy to ensure the delivery of a healthy baby.

Routine testing of all babies at birth identifies any with thyroid conditions such as hypothyroidism. This testing is essential for all newborns, because if hypothyroidism is not corrected, a child could experience mental slowness or retardation, or fail to grow normally.

One to 12 months after giving birth, a woman may experience hypothyroidism, due to an autoimmune inflammation of the thyroid gland (so-called "postpartum thyroiditis"). This condition may also start as hyperthyroidism, and while it usually goes away eventually, women may experience many of the symptoms noted above.

Hypothyroidism is increasingly common as we age. Women over 50 should be routinely screened for thyroid deficiency. Hypothyroidism affects as many as 15 percent of women over 70 years of age.