Signs and Symptoms of an Underactive Thyroid Gland
It is estimated that millions of Americans suffer from hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland fails to produce enough thyroid hormone. Due to the wide variety of symptoms, some people might not even realize they have the condition.
Hypothyroidism is a condition that is associated with a lowered metabolic rate. Since every cell in the body depends on thyroid hormones, a wide range of symptoms can appear. The overlap of symptoms of an under-active thyroid with that of other conditions, may make it hard to get a proper diagnosis.
What are the symptoms of an under-active thyroid?
- Development of a goiter – When the thyroid gets stimulated beyond its capacity, it becomes enlarged and visible in the neck
- Itchy skin
- Increased sleepiness
- Muscle cramps and bone pain
- Lowered libido
- Inability to lose weight – You start to gain weight despite having the same diet
- Difficulty concentrating – When you unexpectedly find it difficult to concentrate and focus while you didn’t have problems before, then a thyroid problem could be the cause
- Sensitivity to cold temperatures – With hypothyroidism, you become more sensitive to the cold
- Dry, brittle hair
- Fatigue – This is a very general complaint that can be a sign of many different conditions
- Swollen hands and feet – This is due to water retention
Typical Hypothyroidism Causes
Ordinarily, hypothyroidism was thought to develop due to low iodine levels in the body. The thyroid is the only tissue that can take up iodine and iodine is important for thyroid hormone production. We receive the majority of our required iodine through iodized table salt.
Certain medications taken for other conditions, may interfere with thyroid functioning. Genetic factors may put you at risk for developing hypothyroidism. If you have family members who have the condition, then you are at an increased risk of developing the condition yourself.
A momentary surge in thyroid output followed by a low output of thyroid hormone is often caused by an inflammation of the thyroid, called thyroiditis. An auto-immune reaction is often the cause, whereby the immune system attacks the body’s own tissue. This condition is frequently seen in post-partum women. The temporary rise in thyroid levels in the body due to the inflamed thyroid causes some weight loss. This hyperthyroidism usually corrects itself, but may also lead to chronic hypothyroidism.
The first line of treatment for someone who suffers from hypothyroidism, is medications. In many cases, normal thyroid functioning can be achieved by either synthetic thyroid hormone or thyroid hormone derived from animal tissue. For people with mild symptoms or who prefer not to take thyroid hormone, a thyroid supplement may be helpful for their condition. In addition, certain foods that interfere with normal thyroid functioning should be avoided. If you think you may have hypothyroidism, talk to your health care professional and figure out what your best treatment option is.
Tags: hypothyroidism, thyroid supplement