ORDER THYRIN-ATC
Do You Have An Underactive Thyroid?
Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid symptoms occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. This tends to slow down the body's functions. Underactive thyroid symptoms include tiredness, constipation and sensitivity to the cold.
Approximately 1 in 50 women and 1 in 1000 men will develop underactive thyroid symptoms at some stage in their lives. Once diagnosed, treatment is usually straightforward. In hypothyroidism where underactive thyroid symptoms are present, the thyroid is under active with too little of the thyroid hormones being released. The chemical element iodine is a major component of thyroid hormones. Worldwide, a deficiency of iodine in the diet is the leading cause of hypothyroidism and underactive thyroid symptoms. This is much less common in the U.S. because iodine is contained in salt, which has iodine added to it during manufacture, thereby reducing the incidence of underactive thyroid symptoms.
Autoimmune hypothyroidism - iIn countries where the amount of iodine in the diet is adequate, the main cause of hypothyroidism and underactive thyroid symptoms is "autoimmune hypothyroidism". Antibodies are proteins designed to defend the body from foreign organisms, such as bacteria and viruses. In autoimmune diseases, antibodies attack the body itself. In autoimmune hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid symptoms, antibodies destroy thyroid gland cells preventing the gland from being able to release normal amounts of thyroid hormones, thereby the name, underactive thyroid symptoms. A condition known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis is associated with autoimmune hypothyroidism underactive thyroid symptoms. It results in a goiter, a swelling of the thyroid gland, that is visible as a lump on the neck. With no goiter the condition may be ed atrophic thyroiditis or primary myxoedema.
Other causes - Congenital hypothyroidism underactive thyroid symptoms (a condition babies are born with) happens when the thyroid gland fails to develop properly or does not produce adequate thyroid hormones.
Inflammation of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis) due to infection can lead to hypothyroidism underactive thyroid symptoms. Also, disorders of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, both of which are involved in the overall regulation and production of thyroid hormones, can lead to hypothyroidism underactive thyroid symptoms.
Hypothyroidism Risk factors
Hypothyroidism underactive thyroid symptoms is more common in older people. Women are more likely to be affected than men. Autoimmune hypothyroidism underactive thyroid symptoms are more likely in those who have other conditions resulting from an autoimmune disorder such as type 1 diabetes mellitus, vitiligo and Addison's disease. Some medicines can affect the normal functioning of the thyroid gland. These include lithium carbonate (for bipolar disorder) and amiodarone (for heart rhythm abnormalities).
What Are the Symptoms of hypothyroidism underactive thyroid symptoms
The symptoms of hypothyroidism underactive thyroid symptoms can initially be very mild and develop slowly. It is possible to have some of these symptoms before the amount of thyroid hormone drops below normal. This type of mild hypothyroidism underactive thyroid symptoms are ed sub clinical hypothyroidism. People affected need to be monitored by their doctor, who will watch out for further underactive thyroid symptoms. The underactive thyroid symptoms of hypothyroidism relate to a general "slowing down" of the body's functions. They include:
feeling tired and sleeping excessively underactive thyroid symptoms. easily feeling the cold underactive thyroid symptoms. dry and thickened skin underactive thyroid symptoms. coarse, thinning hair and eyebrows and brittle nails underactive thyroid symptoms. sore muscles, slow movements and weakness underactive thyroid symptoms. depression and problems with memory and concentration underactive thyroid symptoms. weight gain underactive thyroid symptoms. constipation underactive thyroid symptoms. fertility problems and increased risk of miscarriage underactive thyroid symptoms. heavy, irregular or prolonged menstrual periods underactive thyroid symptoms. There may also be swelling of the thyroid gland in the neck - a goiter underactive thyroid symptoms.
Occasionally, a thyroid problem, such as thyroiditis, can resolve on its own without the need for treatment. However in general, if hypothyroidism underactive thyroid symptoms are not treated, the symptoms slowly get worse and it becomes more and more difficult to function normally.
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