ABOUT THE DISEASE

The thyroid is a small gland (butterfly shaped) located just below the Adam’s apple. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. These hormones act on almost all the tissues and organs of the body, and help control the body temperature, influence heart rate, and regulate the production of protein, essentially controlling metabolism. Women, especially those older than 50 years of age, are more likely to have hypothyroidism than men.

If not treated in time it can lead to obesity, joint pain, infertility related problems

Possible causes leading to hypothyroidism:
- Autoimmune disease, eg. Hashimoto disease
- Thyroiditis
- Medicines (eg.lithium and amiodarone)
- Congenital (birth) defects
- Radiation treatments to the neck or brain to treat different cancers
- Radioactive iodine used to treat an overactive thyroid gland
- Surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid gland

SYMPTOMS

These develop slowly and may include:

• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Constipation
• Pale, dry skin
• Puffy face
• Hoarse voice
• Elevated blood cholesterol
• Muscle aches, cramps, tenderness or stiffness
• Pain, stiffness or swelling in joints
• Heavy menstrual periods
• Sadness or depression
• Visibly enlarged thyroid (Goitre)
• Brittle hair and fingernails
• Fatigue
• Weight gain

In children, symptoms may include:

• Slow mental growth
• Delayed puberty
• Slow growth

TESTS

- Physical examination
- TSH
- T4 test

TREATMENT METHODS

- Medicines-that replace the thyroid hormone, eg. Levothyroxine.
- In conditions like Myxedema coma, which is a medical emergency that occurs when the body`s level of thyroid hormones becomes very low, treatment is with intravenous thyroid hormone replacement, steroids and supportive therapy.

You may also like to learn about:

Hyperthyroidism
Hashimotos Thyroiditis
Goitre
Thyroid nodule
Thyroiditis
Thyroid cancer