Hypothyroidism is really a condition in which a person’s thyroid gland isn't producing enough hormone. It may be triggered by an autoimmune disorder, a genetic defect in a newborn, certain medications, surgical removal of the thyroid gland, radiation therapy for cancer, along with other factors. Hypothyroidism is occasionally categorized as either main (caused by a problem in the thyroid gland itself) or secondary.
Hypothyroidism is an endocrine disorder. It is caused by underfunctioning of a gland that is part of the endocrine system a group of small organs located throughout the body that regulate growth, metabolism, tissue function, and emotional mood. The thyroid gland itself is a butterfly- shaped organ that lies at the base of the throat below the Adam’s apple.
Hypothyroidism is not easy to diagnose because its signs and symptoms are found in numerous other diseases; it frequently comes on gradually; and it may produce few or no symptoms in younger adults. In general, hypothyroidism is characterized by a slowing down of both physical and mental activities.
Probably the most common causes of hypothyroidism are:
Hypothyroidism can be challenging to diagnose because numerous of its early signs and symptoms aren't unique to it. In addition, the symptoms typically come on gradually. The person may simply feel tired or less energetic than typical, or develop dry, itchy skin and brittle hair that falls out easily. The classic symptoms of hypothyroidism sensitivity to cold, puffy complexion, decreased sweating, and coarse skin may occur in only 60 % of sufferers.
It may take months to years before the individual or his or her doctor begins to suspect a problem with the thyroid gland. Not every patient with an underactive thyroid has the same symptoms or has them with the exact same severity. Common symptoms of hypothyroidism, however, include the following:
The diagnosis of hypothyroidism is usually produced by tests of the patient’s thyroid function following a careful history of the patient’s signs and symptoms. The first test is a blood test for thyroid-stimulating hormone, or TSH. TSH is really a hormone produced by the pituitary gland in the brain that stimulates the thyroid gland to create thyroid hormone.
When the thyroid gland isn't producing sufficient hormone, the pituitary gland secretes more TSH; thus a high degree of TSH in the blood indicates that the thyroid gland isn't as active as it should be. The TSH test, nevertheless, doesn't always detect borderline cases of hypothyroidism.
The physician may order additional tests to measure the levels of thyroid hormone as well as TSH in the patient’s blood. If the physician thinks that the patient might have Hashimoto illness, he or she may test for the presence of abnormal antibodies in the blood. Because Hashimoto disease is an autoimmune disorder, there will probably be two or three types of anti-thyroid antibodies in the patient’s blood in about 90 percent of cases.
In some cases, the doctor may also order an ultrasound study of the patient’s neck in order to evaluate the size of the thyroid gland or take a little sample of thyroid tissue in order to make sure that the gland isn't cancerous.
Treatment for hypothyroidism consists of a every day dose of a synthetic type of thyroid hormone sold beneath the trade names of Synthroid, Levothroid, or Levoxyl. The patient is told that the drug must be taken as directed for the rest of his or her life.
In the early weeks of treatment, the patient will need to see the physician every four to six weeks to have his or her TSH level checked and the dose of medication adjusted. After the doctor is satisfied using the dosage level and the patient’s general well being, checkups are done every six to twelve months.
The reason for this careful measurement of the medication is that too much of the synthetic hormone increases the threat of osteoporosis in later life or abnormal heart rhythms in the present. Congenital hypothyroidism or cretinism is also treated with synthetic thyroid hormone. Most hospitals now screen newborns for thyroid problems, because untreated hypothyroidism can result in lifelong physical and mental developmental disorders.
The prognosis for sufferers with hypothyroidism is very great, supplied they take their medication as directed. They can usually reside a normal life having a normal life expectancy. Kids with congenital hypothyroidism have a great prognosis if the disorder is caught and treated early. Some develop learning disorders, however, in spite of early treatment. The chief risks to health are associated to a lack of treatment for hypothyroidism. If low levels of thyroid hormone aren't diagnosed and treated, patients are at increased risk of goiter, an enlarged heart, and severe depression.
In addition, women with untreated hypothyroidism have a higher risk of giving birth to babies with cleft palate and other birth defects. One rare but potentially life-threatening complication of long-term untreated hypothyroidism is myxedema coma.
In this situation, which is usually triggered by stress or illness, the individual becomes very sensitive to cold, might be unusually drowsy, or lose consciousness. Heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing might all be abnormally low. Myxedema coma demands emergency treatment in a hospital with intravenous thyroid hormone and intensive care nursing.
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