When your thyroid does not make, it is called hypothyroidism. The butterfly shaped gland thyroid is situated in the front portion of the neck. The thyroid generates hormones that control the energy usage of the body. You can feel weak and tired due to this. If proper treatment is not taken, your cholesterol levels will rise and further increase the chances of stroke or heart attack. If you are pregnant and keep your hypothyroidism untreated, it will as well harm the baby. Do not worry as hypothyroidism is easy to cure.
Individuals of all ages can suffer from this disorder, but adults are more prone to it. There is a high risk of hypothyroidism for women aging 60 years and above. This disease is heredity, if your family has a tradition to suffer from hypothyroidism, you might as well get it.
Causes of hypothyroidism
This ailment is commonly caused due to Hashimoto's thyroiditis. This provokes the immune system of the body to attack thyroid tissue. This restricts gland from producing hormone. Another cause for low levels of this hormone can be radiation treatment for cancer and surgery for removal of thyroid gland. Drugs like lithium and viral infections also have fair chances to cause hypothyroidism.
Do you have the disease?
You can check out for the following symptoms that cause this disease
- You feel tired, depressed or weak.
- Have brittle nails and dry skin.
- Unable to stand cold weather or environment.
- Constipation.
- Irregular or heavy menstrual periods.
- Difficulty in thinking clearly or memory problems.
Symptoms can be observed gradually. Initially you might not experience any of the symptoms and get mistaken as normal aging. Consult your doctor immediately if you observe any of the above symptoms, before it worsens your health and sticks with you for lifetime.
Diagnose and treat your hypothyroidism
Your doctor will surely ask you the symptoms and preferably would like to get familiar with your case history. You are also required to undergo physical test. A blood test will prove if you are suffering from hypothyroidism. The blood test indicates the thyroid hormone level. Thyroid hormone pills are often prescribed by the doctors. Also you will need to pay regular visits to your doctor to ensure that you are consuming the medicines in right proportions. Many of the patients start recovering within a few days. The symptoms will disappear in few months time. But it is likely that you will have to continue these pills for the rest of your life.
It is mandatory that you observe the doctor's prescription strictly as intake of low or excess amounts of thyroid hormone can cause complications. Mild hypothyroidism does not need treatment initially, but it needs to be observed carefully for any major signs that will make it worse. Severe hypothyroidism should be treated immediately in the hospital as it can further lead to myxedema coma, a rare dangerous disease.
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