Hypothyroidism slows down metabolism
When your thyroid does not create and release into your bloodstream enough thyroid hormones, hypothyroidism develops. It is a fairly common condition that slows down your metabolism. If untreated it can over time cause various health problems.
The thyroid gland is a tiny butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of the neck just under the larynx (voice box). It secretes hormones that assist your body in regulating and utilising energy.
Its main purpose is to control your metabolism, the process your body uses to transform food into the energy you need to function. It regulates things such as how fast your heart beats and how well your digestive system works.
Anyone can develop hypothyroidism at any age but it is commonest in women over the age of 60.
Symptoms
Hypothyroidism symptoms differ from person to person. The symptoms usually develop slowly over time, sometimes over years. The severity of the condition influences what symptoms appear and when they appear. The symptoms can often be difficult to recognise.
Weight gain and fatigue are common early signs. However, they are also symptoms of other conditions.
Other possible symptoms include increased sensitivity to cold, constipation, numbness and tingling in your hands, dry skin, a puffy face, muscle weakness, aches, tenderness and stiffness, pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints, heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods, thinning of hair, hoarseness, a slowed heart rate, impaired memory, depression and an enlarged thyroid gland, known as a goitre.
Causes
Hypothyroidism can have a primary or secondary cause. A disorder that directly affects the thyroid and causes it to produce low quantities of thyroid hormones is a primary cause. A secondary cause is something that causes the pituitary gland to fail to send a thyroid stimulating hormone to the thyroid.
The most common primary cause is Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease whereby the body’s immune system attacks and damages the thyroid.
Hashimoto’s disease is the commonest cause of hypothyroidism during pregnancy. If it occurs during pregnancy it is particularly important to ensure that your thyroid hormone levels are adequate, as insufficient thyroid hormones can adversely affect your baby’s development. If inadequately treated it may lead to a miscarriage or premature birth.
Other primary causes include thyroiditis, which is inflammation of the thyroid, iodine deficiency, treatment for hyperthyroidism, which is overproduction of thyroid hormones, and hereditary conditions.
If a family member has been diagnosed with the condition, your chances of having hypothyroidism are increased.
Thyroiditis can occur after a pregnancy (postpartum thyroiditis) or as a result of a viral infection in some situations.
Risk factors
Although anyone, even infants, can have hypothyroidism at any age it is commonest in women over the age of 60.
People who have a family history of thyroid disease and autoimmune diseases such as Type 1 diabetes or celiac disease are more likely to develop hypothyroidism.
Babies born without a thyroid gland or with a thyroid gland that isn't functioning correctly may have few signs and symptoms at first. Hypothyroidism in infants can cause a variety of issues, including the skin and the whites of the eyes turning yellow (jaundice) and their tongue appearing big and jutting.
This usually happens when a baby's liver is unable to metabolise bilirubin, which is produced when the body reuses old or damaged red blood cells.
Infants may have difficulty feeding as the condition worsens. They may struggle to grow and develop normally. Constipation, decreased muscular tone, and excessive drowsiness are all possible symptoms.
Diagnosis
If you are growing increasingly weary, have dry skin, constipation or weight gain, or if you have had past thyroid problems or a goitre, your doctor may recommend testing for an underactive thyroid.
It's critical to diagnose an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) as soon as feasible.
Low thyroid hormone levels, such as triiodothyronine and thyroxine, can alter how the body handles fat. This can result in excessive cholesterol and atherosclerosis (artery clogging), both of which can lead to major cardiac problems such as angina and a heart attack.
If you have signs of an underactive thyroid that persist, you should contact a doctor, who may request a blood test.
A thyroid antibody test may be indicated after a thyroid function test in some cases. This is to aid in the diagnosis or exclusion of autoimmune thyroid diseases such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Only if your doctor feels you have an autoimmune thyroid problem will you be given a thyroid antibody test.
The only way to know for sure if you have a problem is to have a blood test that measures your hormone levels.
Thyroid function testing examines the amounts of thyroidstimulating hormone and thyroxine in the blood. This is sometimes referred to as free T4 by specialists.
If you have a high thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level and a low T4 level in your blood, you may have an underactive thyroid.
Treatment
The most common treatment for an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) is to take daily hormone replacement tablets called levothyroxine.
You are likely to have regular blood tests until the right dose of levothyroxine is determined. It may take some time to get this right. You may begin with a low dose of levothyroxine and gradually raise it according to how your body responds.
Some patients feel better right away after starting treatment, while others take months to observe a difference in their symptoms.
You' will normally undergo a blood test once a year to monitor your hormone levels once you've found the right dose.
If blood tests indicate that you have an underactive thyroid but you have no symptoms or only have minor symptoms, you may not need therapy.
In these circumstances, your doctor would most likely evaluate your hormone levels every few months and prescribe levothyroxine if symptoms arise.
Levothyroxine is best taken on an empty stomach at the same time every day. Ideally you would take the hormone in the morning and wait an hour before eating or taking other medications. If you take it at bedtime, wait four hours after your last meal or snack.
The information in this article is provided as a public service by the Cimas iGo Wellness programme, which is designed to promote good health. It is provided for general information only and should not be construed as medical advice. Readers should consult their doctor or clinic on any matter related to their health or the treatment of any health problem. — igo@cimas.co.zw or WhatsApp 0772 161 829 or phone 024-2773 0663