Hypothyroidism- Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Of This Disorder

A common endocrine disorder that is caused due to a shortage of thyroid hormone is referred to as hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid disease. The thyroid gland of a person is located in the front lower portion of the neck. Hormones liberated from the gland travel through the bloodstream and affect near about every part of the body, from brain and heart to muscles and skin.

It has been said that symptoms of hypothyroidism are often subtle like they mimic symptoms of many other conditions and are normally attributed to aging. There are some common symptoms of hypothyroidism like excessive sleepiness, decreased perspiration and concentration, dry or coarse hair, cold intolerance, depression, fatigue, menstrual disturbances, hair loss, modest weight gain, dry skin, mood changes, muscle cramps, constipation, increased cholesterol levels, etc. 

Those who have a small age and are linked to problems like hypothyroidism usually have no symptoms. But if they get visible, there can be low muscle tone, extreme sleepiness, stomach bloating, puffy face, swollen tongue, poor feeding habits, cold hands, and feet, etc. If hypothyroidism becomes more  severe, hypothyroidism symptoms can get able to deliver bad results. Like there can be a drop in the body temperature, puffiness around the eyes, life-threatening comma, heart failure, and the heart rate can slow down. At such times, it becomes crucial to visit the specialist doctor to prevent yourself from futuristic problems.

Different types of things are found to cause problems like hypothyroidism. Like, it can be a thyroid surgery, radiation therapy, autoimmune disease or certain medications. Talking about the medication, lithium is the one that can lead towards hypothyroidism. It is fundamentally applied in treating definite psychiatric disorders. If someone is taking help from medication, it will be better to consult the doctor about its effect on the thyroid gland.

Autoimmune disease or Hashimoto's thyroiditis is considered as one of the common causes of hypothyroidism. It takes place when the immune system of a person develops antibodies that attack the person's own tissues. In some cases, the procedure engrosses thyroid gland. Researchers haven't got able to get sure about the happening of this process. But it is likely a mixture of factors like an environmental trigger or a person's genes. However it happens, such antibodies affect the thyroid's ability to produce hormones.

Radiation therapy that is used to treat neck and head cancers is also able to create an impact on the thyroid gland and may lead to hypothyroidism. Eradicating all or a big segment of thyroid gland can diminish or stop the hormone production progress. At such times, there becomes a necessity of taking thyroid hormone for life. 

One of the focuses for the treatment of hypothyroidism mainly remains on supplementing the thyroid hormone. For replenishing the levels, synthetic thyroxine is prescribed by the doctor which is a medication identical to T4 hormone. Dosage of the medication will be based on the symptom, history, along with current TSH level of the patient. The doctor will monitor the blood of the patient on a regular basis in order to decide if the dose of synthetic T4 needs to be regulated. Regular monitoring will be done, but the regularity of blood tests will likely trim down over time.

There is a requirement to discuss with the doctor about any major dietary changes if someone is facing problems like hypothyroidism, especially when consuming lots of soy, cruciferous vegetables or having a high fibre diet. Diet plays a major role in affecting the way in which a person's body absorbs medication of thyroid. With the assistance of suitable treatment along with advice given by the qualified physician, there come better chances for hormone levels to return at their ordinary state.

Iodine is also considered as one of the important minerals applied for the function of the thyroid. 

Having a deficiency of iodine in a person's body can prove to be one of the ordinary causes in the production of goitre or non-standard enlargement of the thyroid gland. Having a sufficient intake of iodine for most people proves to be important, but people who are suffering from autoimmune thyroid diseases can be particularly sensitive to the effect of iodine, which signifies that it can activate or worsen hypothyroidism. At such cases, there is a need to consult with the doctor if someone is sensitive to the effects of iodine. Those who build up too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) are often treated with radioactive iodine and anti-thyroid medication. One of the aims behind such treatments is to deliver the function of thyroid back to its ordinary state.

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