‘Hypothyroidism’ Category

What You Need to Know About Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a disease wherein the thyroid glands makes inadequate amount of thyroid hormones, namely thyroxin and triiodiothyrorine. Thyroid hor...

 

Hypothyroidism is a disease wherein the thyroid glands makes inadequate amount of thyroid hormones, namely thyroxin and triiodiothyrorine. Thyroid hormones are very important as they perform on nearly every cell in the body, specifically for metabolism purposes. Therefore individuals who have an under active thyroid are apt to have a decreased process in the several systems of the body. The various symptoms of hypothyroidism are fatigue, increased sensitivity to cold, goiter, low heart rate (bradycardia), depression, muscle cramps, carpal tunnel syndrome, decreased sweating, osteoporosis, and many more.

An under active thyroid can be brought on by iodine deficiency or exposure to Iodine-131, a radioactive isotope of iodine that damages the thyroid. It can also be due to the genetic autoimmune disorder Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, where the body’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland. Yet another cause is lymphocytic thyroiditis, an inflammation of the thyroid gland that causes an overproduction of thyroid hormones, accompanied by a phase of hypothyroidism. Furthermore, remedies for hyperthyroidism can also cause hypothyroidism.

There are also many types of hypothyroidism. At times the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus is not capable of inducing the thyroid gland to make adequate thyroid hormones even though the thyroid gland itself is normal. This disorder is called secondary hypothyroidism and tertiary hypothyroidism, respectively. Meanwhile, subclinical hypothyroidism refers to the condition where there is a reduced serum TSH levels, indicating hypothyroidism, but have standard levels of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormone deficiency can also happen during birth which is called congenital hypothyroidism. When left unattended, this may result in growth failure and mental retardation. Hypothyroidism is also a typical condition among domestic dogs.

The treatment method for this disease is a long term treatment of synthetic levothyroxine (T4). It is ingested in once a day dosage, though it calls for greater doses for children. People who have a history of heart disease and even those who are diagnosed of being at high risk are not recommended for this medication as it can worsen their heart condition. The medication needs to be regularly checked if the correct quantity of thyroid is taken. Too much thyroid medication can be be extremely dangerous as it could result in heart palpitations, increased blood pressure, and can contribute to osteoporosis.

What Happens When Hypothyroidism is Left Untreated

 

Hypothyroidism is generally a life long illness that requires continuous treatment using synthetic levothyroxine. The medication guarantees that you have sufficient amounts of thyroid hormones. If the disease is left without treatment the low levels of thyroid hormone will hurt the body, causing sluggish overall metabolic rate. Listed below are a number of of the outcomes of an untreated instance of hypothyroidism.

The thyroid hormones are essential in the functioning of the heart as they help in regulating the heart rate and output. Thyroid hormones relaxes the heart muscles ensuring that it is capable to pump appropriate volume of blood around the body. Low levels of thyroid hormones is dangerous to the heart as it could slow down the heart rate considerably. Because of this, the blood vessel walls become rigid and blood pressure rises, and can lead to hypertension.

For the brain, hypothyroidism can result in depression due to its incapacitating consequences on those suffering from it. Left with no treatment, it can also result in the deterioration of the brain and result in dementia, wherein the patient has trouble focusing and remembering past events.

The reproduction system is likewise at risk when hypothyroidism is left with no treatment. For women, it can have an effect on the ovulation process resulting to unpredictable menstrual cycles. Women that are pregnant with hypothyroidism confronts a huge chance of miscarriage. It may also compromise the growth and development of the fetus. As a result, it may result in birth defects on babies born to mothers with hypothyroidism and lead to their stunted developmental growth.

The worse case scenario for an neglected case of hypothyroidism is a serious, life-threatening condition called myxedema coma. The symptoms of this condition are hypothermia, decreasing functioning of the lung, constipation, delirium, urine retention, slow heart rate, stupor, seizures, fluid formation, and eventually coma. It is a unique condition which can be induced by encountering severe stress such as extreme cold, trauma, stroke, heart failure, infections, and surgery. Other prescription drugs like phenothiazines, amiodarone, lithium, and tranquilizers, and extented iodine exposure may also induce this condition. Myxedema coma is an emergency state and immediate medical treatment is very required. Even though it is a rare condition, death rates are very high, which range from 30% to 60% with older patients.

The Factors That Cause Hypothyroidism

 

Hypothyroidism is a relatively typical disease and roughly 3% to 5% of the population have it. It is characterized by a deficiency of thyroid hormones that may directly or indirectly involve the thyroid gland. Here are some of the principal factors behind hypothyroidism.

One of the main reason behind an under active thyroid is the genetic condition referred to as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. It is an autoimmune disorder wherein the immune system assaults the thyroid gland. Because of this, the thyroid gland becomes enlarged and has a diminished ability to create thyroid hormones. Women are 5 to 10 times more prone to have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis than males, thus making them a lot more susceptible to hypothyroiditis.

Iodine deficiency can also bring about hypothyroidism. Iodine is an crucial major component in the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine and therefore a shortage of it in the body can cause difficulties in the production of these necessary hormones.

One more reason behind an under active thyroid is a condition of the thyroid glands referred to as lymphocytic thyroiditis. A white blood cell called lymphocyte results in the inflammation of the thyroid glands. This is very typical right after giving birth, affecting 8% of women soon after childbirth. The disease will be initiated by a hyperthyroid period where the thyroid gland secretes too much quantities of thyroid hormones. It is accompanied by the hypothyroid period that may continue about 6 months.

Ironically, a few treatments can also result in hypothyroidism. Iodine-131, a radioisotope of iodine that is employed to take care of a thyroid condition called Graves’ disease, can greatly damage the thyroid gland. Other medicines which are utilized to treat hyperthyroidism might also trigger an under active thyroid too such as methimazole and propylthiouracil. The psychiatric drug lithium and medicines that contain huge amounts of iodine like amiodarone and potassium iodide can also change the thyroid function, resulting in the hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism that not directly involves the thyroid glands are classified as secondary and tertiary hypothyroidism. This happens when there is problem in the pituitary glands and the hypothalamus, respectively, and so they can’t signal the thyroid glands to create sufficient hormones. This occurs when the pituitary glands cannot give off thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), most of the time due a tumor in the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus.

Hypothyroidism Disease

Hyporthyroidism is a medical condition that is marked by limited production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid glands. Though iodine deficiency can cause this condition, much of the time it is a direct result of an underlying disorder. Most of them are autoimmune conditions, in which the immune system assaults the person’s own parts of the body, and in the case of hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism is definitely a serious health issue since it includes other systems of the body. Below are a few of the diseases that are typically associated with hypothyroidism.

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by hyperthyroidism, the opposite condition of hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid glands produces excessive thyroid hormones. Those who have Graves’ disease have a malfunctioning immune system that produces antibodies that mimic thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), causing the thyroid gland to produce too much. Treating Graves’ disease requires the use of antithyroid medications, iodine-131 (a radioisotope of iodine), or thyroidectomy, which basically suppresses or totally gets rid of the thyroid gland. This in turn will lead to the hypothyroid condition of those who have Graves’ disease.

One more autoimmune disease that is linked to hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. It is one among the frequent cause of hypothyroidism in North America. In this ailment, the immune system directly assaults the thyroid gland, confusing it as a foreign body and triggering its destruction. In this case, antibodies like leukocytes get involved with thyroid peroxidase, thyroglobulin, and TSH receptors. This may lead to the swelling and consequently, the devastation of the thyroid gland hence developing the hypothyroid condition. It’s also theorized that this condition is genetic.

An additional autoimmune disorder that is also related together with hypothyroidism is Addison’s disease. Addison’s disease is an endocrine problem wherein the adrenal glands create not enough amounts of cortisol and aldosterone. Sometimes, this condition appears along with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. This disorder is called Schmidt’s syndrome. Besides the symptoms of Addison’s disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, those who have Schmidt’s syndrome may also develop type 2 diabetes, alopecia, myasthenia gravis, Graves’ disease, pure red cell aplasia, pernicious anemia, immunoglobulin A deficiency, vitiligo, or sarcoidosis.

Managing Weight Gain with Hypothyroidism

 

Hypothyroidism is a disease in which the thyroid glands makes too little thyroid hormones causing an overall slow metabolism of the body. Because of this, individuals with hypothyroidism normally go through weight gain since the body cannot process the surplus calories. Losing weigh by itself is already a complex process, and incorporating poor metabolic rate further complicates it. Consequently people that have hypothyroidism usually have a hard time shedding weight. Below are great tips for those with hypothyroidism to help them reduce their weight effectively.

The first thing that individuals affected with this particular disorder should do is make certain that they are taken care of correctly. The therapy for hypothyroidism makes certain that they acquire adequate levels of thyroid hormones inside their body to help regulate their sluggish metabolic process. They need to check out their TSH level, because even a larger TSH level within the normal range could impede weight loss. The TSH level that’s ideal for weight loss is between 1 and 2. They might also verify if they are intaking products or perhaps foods that may affect their thyroid medications. Consulting with their physician is a good idea as these foods or dietary supplements render their therapy ineffective, and will only maintain their sluggish metabolic rate.

The next thing that people with hypothyroidism have to do to be able to reduce weight successfully is to follow a specially designed diet program. They need to eat foods rich in iodine, a primary component of thyroid hormones. A high iodine diet can help boost the decreased generation of your thyroid hormones that will assist with your metabolic process. Another great idea for you to manage the metabolism through diet is to just take only calories that you can burn. One way to accomplish this is via increasing your number of meals to five to six times a day, consumed at a regular time periods, although not necessarily raising the quantity of food consumed. This will help boost metabolism and manage the blood sugar levels.

Last but not least, the most crucial thing to do in shedding pounds is exercising. Now that you’ve taken steps to increase your slow metabolism, the one thing to do now is burn your excess calories and there’s no other way around but to exercise.

Hyporthyroidism and Childbirth

 

Postpartum hypothyroidism is a very common disorder involving women following pregnancy that is brought on by an autoimmune condition named lymphocytic thyroiditis. It affects close to 5% of women soon after giving birth and is suspected to be the main reason behind postpartum depression.

In lymphocytic thyroiditis, the thyroid glands becomes swollen due to the infiltration of a white blood cell known as lymphocyte. It is suspected to result from the modification of the immune system needed in pregnancy. It has an initial hyperthyroid period wherein the thyroid glands releases excessive quantities of thyroid hormones, causing a drastic surge in the metabolism rate. This will result in diarrhea, rapid pulse, feeling overheated, rapid weight loss, difficulty in sleeping, and anxiety.

Following the initial hyperthyroid period, the thyroid either returns to its regular state or it goes into hypothyroid period. In this status, the thyroid glands become underactive, providing not enough thyroid hormones that triggers an irregular decrease in the metabolism rate. It leads to low energy among new mothers, wherein they’ll be sleeping no less than 14 hours and wake up unrefreshed. This also makes the new mother acquire more weight even though she’s pursuing a thorough diet and workout strategy. It is because her body cannot effectively process the excess calories because of the modifications in metabolism. These symptoms can significantly affect the psyche of the new mother, possibly causing a postpartum depressed state characterized by feelings of sadness, anxiety, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, a sense of hopelessness, disturbance in appetite, mood swings and lack of interest in the baby.

Women that are pregnant who tested positive for antithyroid antibodies have between 33% to 50% likelihood of having lymphocytic thyroiditis after giving birth to the baby. Furthermore, a few researchers have found that the presence of these antibodies makes a pregnant woman 3 times more prone to obtain postpartum depression. This thyroid problem after maternity may be short-term, lasting for up to 6 months to a year. In spite of this, roughly one in five of women will develop permanent hypothyroidism that needs life long hormone remedy. The reason being the thyroid glands were too impaired as a result of hormonal imbalance or because the maternity activated an underlying case of autoimmune disease.

Hormone Therapy for Hypothyroidism

 

Hypothyroidism, a condition marked by inadequate production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid glands, is a chronic condition and therefore those who are suffering from it have to endure it in their lifetime. It is however quite manageable as you just have to take particular medications. Here are a few several strategies on how hypothyroidism is treated.

The typical prescribed medication used for treating hypothyroidism is synthetic levothyroxine (T4). While the most active thyroid hormones is actually triiodothyronine (T3), the synthetic T4 is the ideal remedy since it is more dependable and only requires once a day dosing, while T3 is shorter-acting and thus needed to be taken on a multiple basis. Furthermore, T4 is readily transformed to T3 in the system. Synthetic T4 is preferably ingested in the morning, 10 minutes prior to eating. Other drugs that contains iron and antacids must be avoided since they could mess with the absorption of T4 by the body.

Grown ups are often required a dose of 100 to 150 micrograms of synthetic T4 daily. Kids however need a greater dosage for their growth and metabolism. Synthetic T4 isn’t advisable for people with an underlying heart condition as it could aggravate it.

Besides the common T4 medication, there are also other treatment options that individuals with an under active thyroid can opt to take. For example, it’s possible to take a combination of both T3 and T4 medications. Some researchers documented that taking additional T3 along with the regular T4 can help patients feel better by alleviating them a few of the symptoms like brain fog, depression, and fatigue. Another alternative treatment is desiccated thyroid extract made from pork or a combination of pork and beef thyroid glands. This treatment method includes both T3 and T4 thyroid hormones, although the trouble with it is that it lacked uniformity of strength from batch to batch. However, some supporters of this treatment claim that its superior since it is more natural and is helpful in relieving symptoms like fatigue and depressed mood.

Those who go through treatment of hypothyroidism ought to be supervised frequently to make certain their thyroid hormones are consistent. This is very important to ensure that the treatment is working for the patient and to make certain as well that what is being given is not too much, as it can lead to symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

Effects of Hypothyroidism on the Body

 

Hypothyroidism is a disease where in the thyroid glands releases not enough thyroid hormones, particularly thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones are important because they can be found in almost every cell of the body and they help in regulating protein, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism.

The underproduction of thyroid hormones in hypothyroidism leads to symptoms that are outcomes of a slow body metabolism. Those who have an under active thyroid usually feels fatigued since they can’t get hold of energy properly from the carbohydrates that they intake. They can’t tolerate cold, have increased sensitivity to it, and have a low basal body temperature due to the not enough thyroid hormones necessary for heat generation. They have weakened body structure owing to the lowered metabolism of their body. As a result of that they frequently have poor muscle tone (hyptonia), carpal tunnel syndrome, muscle cramps and joint pain, thin brittle fingernails, thin brittle hair, osteoporosis, dry itchy skin, and thinning of the eyebrows. Moreover, hypothyroidism induced by iodine deficiency and lymphatic thyroiditis presents with the swelling of the neck due to the inflammation of the thyroid glands, also called goiter.

The sluggish metabolic rate also impacts several systems of the body, making them unable to do their job and can result in the following symptoms of hypothyroidism: abnormal menstrual cycles, decreased sweating, weight gain and water retention, constipation, ;ow heart rate (bradycardia), and in serious cases, heart failure. Hypothyroidism can also result in a myxedema coma that can be induced by severe illness, traumatic injury, surgery, or stress.

Additionally, besides the symptoms noted above, there are also others that not usually occur in those who have hypothyroidism. These include impaired renal function, yellowing of the skin due to the failure of the body to convert beta-carotene to vitamin A, irritability, increased need for sleep, recurrent hypoglycemia, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, elevated serum choleterol, acute psychosis, anemia, hair loss, decreased libido, sluggish reflexes, decreased sense of taste and smell, slow heart rate, hands and feet, puffy face, impaired cognitive function, gynecomastia, and impaired memory.

Thyroid hormones are significant constituents of the body and for that reason deficiency of it could tremendously have an effect on the general condition of your wellness. Therefore, it is recommended that you consult a health professional whenever you noticed that you have most of these symptoms.

Diseases That Causes The Hypothyroid Condition

 

Hyporthyroidism is a condition that’s indicated by inadequate production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid glands. Although iodine deficiency can cause this condition, more often than not it’s a consequence of an underlying illness. Most of them are autoimmune conditions, where the immune system assaults the person’s own parts of the body, and in the matter of hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism is a very significant health problem as it involves other systems of the body. Here are some of the conditions which are typically associated with hypothyroidism.

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that is characterized by hyperthyroidism, the opposite disorder of hypothyroidism, wherein the thyroid glands generates too much thyroid hormones. People who have Graves’ disease have a malfunctioning immune system that makes antibodies that mimic thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), causing the thyroid gland to create too much. The treatment of Graves’ disease will involve the use of antithyroid medications, iodine-131 (a radioisotope of iodine), or thyroidectomy, which essentially inhibits or completely gets rid of the thyroid gland. As a result will lead to the hypothyroid state of those who have Graves’ disease.

One more autoimmune disorder that is associated with an under active thyroid is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. It is the most frequent cause of hypothyroidism in North America. In this affliction, the immune system directly assaults the thyroid gland, confusing it as a foreign body and triggering its destruction. In this case, antibodies such as leukocytes interrupt thyroid peroxidase, thyroglobulin, and TSH receptors. This may lead to the inflammation and subsequently, the destruction of the thyroid gland thus developing the hypothyroid condition. It is also believed that this condition is genetic.

Another autoimmune disorder that is also related together with hypothyroidism is Addison’s disease. Addison’s disease is an endocrine problem wherein the adrenal glands generate inadequate quantities of cortisol and aldosterone. Sometimes, this disorder appears in conjunction with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. This condition is called Schmidt’s syndrome. Besides the symptoms of Addison’s disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, people who have Schmidt’s syndrome may also develop immunoglobulin A deficiency, vitiligo, sarcoidosis, type 2 diabetes, alopecia, myasthenia gravis, Graves’ disease, pure red cell aplasia, or pernicious anemia.

Diet Plan For Hypothyroid People

 

Hypothyroidism is a condition that occurs when your thyroid gland does not produce sufficient thyroid hormones. One of the function of thyroid hormones is the regulation of your body’s metabolism. Because of this, people who have hypothyroidism has a decreased metabolic rate. For this reason, people with this problem typically experience putting on weight since the body can’t process the food effectively. It is therefore important for those who have hypothyroidism to stick to a specialized diet so as to help address the effects of their condition and also manage their weight. Here are a few diet recommendations that can help people who have hypothyroidism do just that.

Iodine is a key component of thyroid hormones and therefore it is advisable for people with hypothyroidism to consume foods that are abundant in it because this could help stimulate the production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid glands. Several of the foods that are high in iodine are mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, eggs, trifle, and seaffods like saltwater fish, sushi, and seaweed.. Additionally, it is advisable to use iodized salt when preparing your food rather than rock salt, for additional iodine consumption.

Meals rich in fiber are also advised for individuals that have hypothyroidism. It can help you lower weight, promotes a regular bowel movement, as well as decreases your cholesterol. Fiber successfully addresses the three symptoms of hypothyroidism particularly, weight gain, constipation, and increased serum cholesterol. Examples of foods rich in fiber are creals, oatmeals, most fruits and vegetables, and whole grains.

Selenium-rich food must be also included in the diet of people who have an under active thyroid. This particular mineral is needed in transforming the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4), which is the most abundant in the body, into triiodothyronine (T3), the dynamic operational form. Some of the foods that are high in selenium are tuna, oysters, brazil nuts, turkey, swordfish, herring, and many more. It should be kept in mind however that excessive intake of selenium could cause poisoning therefore it is suggested that you keep track of your consumption of these foods.

On the flip side, some foods must be avoided as they can interfere with the thyroid production. These include cabbage, broccoli, sprouts, cauliflower, kale, spinach, turnips, linseed, peanuts, soybeans, among others.

Dealing With Hypothyroidism

 

Hypothyroidism is a persistent disorder and so those affected with it just have to deal with it throughout their entire life. Hypothyroid people often have underactive thyroid glands and therefore does not make sufficient thyroid hormones that the body requires for metabolism. The retarded metabolic rate can severely have an effect on an individual’s life and thus certain lifestyle modifications are needed in order to successfully handle the consequences of this disease. Below are great tips on how one can live well with hypothyroidism.

One of the lifestyle adjustments that those affected with this problem can start with is modifying their diet. Examples of the recommended foods for people with hypothyroidism are fish, nuts, kelp, linseed and flaxseed oil, rice, fruit. Also, eat meals that are loaded in iodine to encourage thyroid hormone production, meals abundant in selenium to help your body turn T4 hormones into its active form, T3, and fiber-rich foods as it can help with the bowel problems that comes along with hypothyroidism, and also in dealing with weight gain which is also another effect. At the same time they should stay away from alcohol, refined sugar, saturated fats, aspartame, monosodium glutamate, refined salt, ceffeine drinks, and foods that suppress iodine levels such as cauliflower, brocolli, cabbage, and soya beans.

Exercise is equally a crucial lifestyle change that folks with the under active thyroid condition must integrate in their life. Exercising offers lots of advantages for those affected such as improving the reduced serotonin levels, improving the suppressed metabolism rate, and best of all, burning the surplus calories that considerably contribute to the weight gain.

Lastly, you have to make sure that you are receiving suitable hormone treatment. You need the treatment to compensate for your deficiency of thyroid hormones and help increase your low metabolic rate. Do not take your medication at night as it could disturb your sleeping. If you feel unsatisfied about your standard synthetic T4 medication, speak to your physician regarding alternative solutions like supplementary T3 or desiccated thyroid extract. Their supporters assert that they can better treat other symptoms like depression, fatigue, and brain fog. Also ensure that you aren’t taking any food or medication that will compromise the effectiveness of your therapy. In addition, ensure that your dosage is routinely checked to confirm its effectiveness.