Hypothyroidism - causes, symptoms and treatment methods
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the body lacks sufficient thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism is also known as an under active thyroid. It occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroxine. Many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism are very subtle and are experienced by people without thyroid disease. Thus, many doctors about the symptoms of fatigue, weight gain and depression and to allocate them to other causes.
In hypothyroidism, the thyroid is under active, with too little thyroid hormone being released. The thyroid is situated just below your "Adams apple" or larynx. The severity of hypothyroidism varies widely. Patients are classified as "subclinical hypothyroid" if diagnosed thyroid hormone results show abnormalities, but they do not show any symptoms. Others have mild symptoms can be confused with other diseases and conditions. Both most important thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which represent 99.9% and 0.1% of thyroid hormones in the blood respectively. Hypothyroidism in infants untreated can cause brain damage, this which leads to mental retardation and developmental delays. Every state in the United States for testing newborn hypothyroidism. The hypothalamus is a structure of the brain signals that normally, the pituitary gland to make thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH ), which causes the thyroid to make thyroid hormones. Some health problems can affect either the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland, and interrupt the chain of signals from the brain of the thyroid. Decreased effect of thyroid hormones can cause increased levels of total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and a possible change in high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. In addition, hypothyroidism can lead to increased insulin resistance.
Causes of Hypothyroidism
* The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's thyroiditis, disease of the thyroid gland where the body's immune system attacks the gland.
* After Lymphocytic Thyroiditis Hyperthyroidism.
* External beam radiation, which is used to treat certain cancers such as Hodgkin's disease. This radiation can destroy the thyroid gland.
* The use of radioiodine for treatment with the disease usually causes permanent hypothyroidism within one year of treatment. The frequency is much lower among patients with toxic nodular goiters and those with a self-functioning thyroid nodules.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism
* A swollen face.
* The tendency to feel cold.
* Joint or muscle pain.
* A blood cholesterol level.
* Choking sensation or difficulty swallowing.
* Goiter (enlarged thyroid causing a lump in the neck).
* Shortness of breath with a little slow breathing pattern.