The thyroid is a tiny butterfly-structured gland located in the neck. It produces hormones that govern the body's energy consumption pathway. Therefore, impairment of the thyroid gland may cause disastrous medical conditions in patients.
Hypothyroidism occurs due to impaired or reduced thyroid activity. Hypothyroidism is commonly observed more in females than in males. It affects around 10% of the Indian population, causing an extensive healthcare burden on the economy.
This article will focus on causes, symptoms, diagnosis and available treatment strategies for hypothyroidism that will help the patients to gain basic information about suitable medications to treat hypothyroidism-related repercussions.
What are the causes of hypothyroidism?
The causes of hypothyroidism can be divided into two categories: primary and secondary. In primary cause, hypothyroidism results from an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s disease. In Hashimoto’s disease, our immune system damages the thyroid, resulting in lower production of thyroid hormones, causing hypothyroidism.
Primary causes of hypothyroidism may also include long-term treatment of hyperthyroidism, deficiency of iodine in the body, genetic factors and chronic inflammation in the thyroid gland.
In the secondary cause, the pituitary gland fails to transport thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) to the thyroid, which results in clinical conditions like hypothyroidism.
Diagnosis of hypothyroidism
Blood tests can reveal hypothyroidism by measuring thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and T4 hormone levels. If the blood test confirms the high amount of TSH and lower amount of T4 hormone, then the patient is diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Sometimes, doctors may suggest performing blood tests of the T3 hormone, along with T4 and TSH.
10 common symptoms of hypothyroidism
As the thyroid governs the energy utilization function of the body, its symptoms develop slowly, which may include,
- Tiredness and fatigue
- Depression
- Elevated cholesterol levels
- High frequency of menstrual periods
- High loss of blood during menstrual cycles
- Weight gain
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Trouble with cold toleration
- Loss of libido
If hypothyroidism is not treated for a longer period of time, then it may lead to several complications such as heart problems, peripheral neuropathy, goiter, infertility, myxedema coma, and birth defects.
- Heart problems: As an underactive thyroid may produce higher levels of bad cholesterol, it might induce a high chance of heart attack.
- Peripheral neuropathy: Hypothyroidism may damage the peripheral nerves that send cues to the brain and spinal cord. It may cause numbness, inflammation, and tingling sensations in various parts of the body, including arms, legs, and skin.
- Goiter: It is a clinical condition caused due to swollen thyroid gland which may cause difficulties in swallowing and breathing in patients.
- Infertility: Hypothyroidism may retard the ovulation process and cause infertility in females.
- Myxedema coma: Neglecting the treatment of hypothyroidism may lead to critical and rare medical conditions like myxedema coma. In this condition person can not tolerate cold and may faint due to lack of energy. It requires immediate medical assistance.
- Birth defects: Babies born with thyroid defects, if not treated timely, may lead to mental and physical development problems.
Treatment strategies for hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism can be treated by replacing hormone which is not produced by the thyroid gland. Levothyroxine is the common medication that is prescribed by the healthcare professional to manage this chronic condition. Levothyroxine is a chemical isomer of thyroxine hormone produced by the thyroid gland and it mimics the function of thyroxine.
Due to hypothyroidism disease, production of thyroxine is hampered therefore its isomer named levothyroxine, is provided externally to manage the disease condition. When thyroxine is secreted into blood after several biological reactions, it is converted into T3 hormone. T3 hormone exerts several crucial biological signals and induce cell metabolism. Therefore, the application of levothyroxine hormone is prescribed by doctors to manage hypothyroidism.
Thyronorm 25mcg Tablet is a tablet constituted of thyroxine sodium. Its dosage may differ from the dosage of levothyroxine. It is administered orally. Your doctor may perform several blood tests before prescribing this medication. Patients may get some side effects like vomiting, diarrhea and headache while undergoing this treatment.
Hypothyroidism is a thyroid hormone deficiency.
The most effective and efficient way to hypothyroidism diagnosis is by measuring the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level in your blood, which will be high if you have the disease.
At the same time, the thyroid hormones, T4 and T3, will be low Some other tests may be performed to determine the cause of hypothyroidism, including measuring thyroid antibody levels
