When the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone, hypothyroidism develops. Another name for this illness is underactive thyroid. Early on, hypothyroidism may not show any symptoms at all. If hypothyroidism is left untreated, it might eventually result in additional health issues like high cholesterol and cardiac issues.
Hypothyroidism is diagnosed through blood tests. Once you and your healthcare practitioner determine the proper dosage for you, treatment with thyroid hormone medication is typically easy, secure, and efficient.
Symptoms
The severity of the illness determines the hypothyroidism symptoms. Problems frequently take years to develop slowly.
The signs of hypothyroidism, such as weariness and weight gain, may first go unnoticed. You might also believe that they are a natural aspect of aging. However, as your metabolism continues to slow, you could experience more glaring issues.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- Tiredness.
- Greater susceptibility to cold.
- Constipation.
- Skin that is dry.
- Gaining weight.
- Swollen face.
- Voice that is hoarse.
- Rough skin and hair.
- Muscular lassitude.
- Aches, stiffness, and pain in the muscles.
- Irregular or heavier-than-normal menstrual periods.
- Thinning.
- A bradycardia is a slowed heartbeat.
- Depression.
- Memory issues.
Newborn hypothyroidism
Even infants can develop hypothyroidism. The majority of newborns with a thyroid gland that is absent or that isn’t functioning properly don’t exhibit symptoms immediately away. However, if hypothyroidism is left untreated, symptoms start to show up. They may consist of:
- Feeding issues.
- Poorly growing.
- A poor increase in weight.
- Jaundice is the medical term for a disorder when the skin and eye whites turn yellow.
- Constipation.
- Muscular tone issues.
- Skin that is dry.
- Hoarse sobs.
- Stretched-out tongue.
- Umbilical hernia, a soft swelling or bulging close to the belly button.
Even modest occurrences of baby hypothyroidism can cause serious issues with physical and mental development if left untreated.
Whenever to visit a doctor
If you have other hypothyroidism symptoms or if you feel fatigued all the time, consult your doctor.
Follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations for how frequently you should schedule appointments if you’re taking thyroid hormone medication for hypothyroidism. To ensure you are taking the proper dosage of medication at initially, you might need to plan routine appointments. You might eventually require checks so that your doctor can keep track of your condition and medication.
Causes
At the base of the neck, just below the Adam’s apple, is the thyroid, a tiny, butterfly-shaped gland. Thyroxine (T-4) and triiodothyronine (T-3) are the two primary hormones produced by the thyroid gland. Every cell in the body is influenced by these hormones. They support how quickly the body consumes carbohydrates and lipids. They aid in regulating body temperature. Heart rate is impacted by them. And they assist in regulating the body’s production of protein.
When the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones, hypothyroidism develops. The following conditions or issues can result in hypothyroidism:
Immune disorder. An autoimmune condition known as Hashimoto’s disease is the most frequent cause of hypothyroidism. When the immune system produces antibodies that target healthy organs, autoimmune disorders result. Sometimes, that procedure affects the thyroid gland’s capacity to produce hormones.
Thyroid operation. The ability of the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones can be reduced or stopped entirely by surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid gland.
Radiation treatment. The thyroid gland can be harmed by radiation used to treat head and neck malignancies, which can result in hypothyroidism.
Thyroiditis. When the thyroid gland becomes inflamed, thyroiditis results. An infection may be to blame for this. It may also be the outcome of a thyroid issue, an autoimmune disease, or another illness. The thyroid may suddenly release all of the thyroid hormone it has accumulated if it develops thyroiditis. This results in hyperthyroidism, a disorder marked by an increase in thyroid activity. The thyroid then becomes underactive.
Medicine. Many medications have the potential to cause hypothyroidism. Lithium is one such drug that is used to treat some psychiatric conditions. Ask your healthcare practitioner about the medication’s impact on the thyroid gland if you take one.
Risk elements
Although anyone can have hypothyroid, the following factors put you at higher risk if you:
- Are female.
- Have thyroid problems running in your family.
- Possess an autoimmune illness, such as celiac disease or type 1 diabetes.
- have undergone hyperthyroidism therapy.
- Received radiation in your upper chest or neck.
- Having a thyroid operation.
Complications
Hypothyroidism that isn’t treated can lead to other health problems, including:
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- Goiter. Hypothyroidism may cause the thyroid gland to become larger. This condition is called a goiter. A large goiter may cause problems with swallowing or breathing.
- Heart problems. Hypothyroidism can lead to a higher risk of heart disease and heart failure. That’s mainly because people with an underactive thyroid tend to develop high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol — the “bad” cholesterol.
- Peripheral neuropathy. Hypothyroidism that goes without treatment for a long time can damage the peripheral nerves. These are the nerves that carry information from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. Peripheral neuropathy may cause pain, numbness and tingling in the arms and legs.
- Infertility. Low levels of thyroid hormone can interfere with ovulation, which can limit fertility. Some of the causes of hypothyroidism, such as autoimmune disorders, also can harm fertility.
- Birth defects. Babies born to people with untreated thyroid disease may have a higher risk of birth defects compared with babies born to mothers who do not have thyroid disease.
Untreated hypothyroidism in newborns increases the chance of major issues with a child’s physical and mental growth. But the odds of a typical development are very good if the issue is discovered in the first few months of life.
- The myxedema coma. This uncommon, potentially fatal illness can develop if hypothyroidism is left untreated over a protracted period of time. Sedatives, infections, or other types of bodily stress can cause a myxedema coma. Its signs include acute tiredness and a severe cold sensitivity, which are followed by a severe lack of energy and finally unconsciousness. Emergency medical care is required for myxedema coma.
