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Understanding Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism is a condition that affects 1 out of every 50 women and 1 out of every 1,000 men. The condition can cause problems with weight, energy levels, and overall health. Treatment is simple and affordable, so understanding hypothyroidism is essential for maintaining good health.
Your Thyroid GlandIn order to understand hypothyroidism and how it affects the health of those with the condition, you must first understand the role your thyroid gland plays in your body. The thyroid gland, located in the front of the neck above the breastbone, is a gland that produces a specific hormone, known as thyroxine. The amount of thyroxine produced is controlled by a hormone that is released by the pituitary gland. The thyroxine produced by the thyroid travels through the bloodstream and into the body to affect the organs and tissues. Thyroxine affects the body’s systems, most importantly the metabolic system, helping them to speed up or slow down as needed.
What Is Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is a condition wherein the thyroid does not produce enough thyroxine. This causes the individual’s bodily systems to slow down tremendously. This can cause harmful side effects. A related disorder, hyperthyroidism, happens when the thyroid produces too much thyroxine, causing the body’s systems to speed up. Symptoms of the Condition One problem with hypothyroidism is the vague symptoms of the condition. Common symptoms include unexpected weight gain, lack of energy, aches, temperature changes, retaining water, slowing of mental capacities, depression, and constipation. However, these symptoms can be present for a variety of medical conditions.
If you notice some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism, you should talk to your doctor about the condition. Having your thyroxine levels checked requires a simple blood test, and knowing whether or not you have the problem is essential. The blood test will measure two different hormones. The first is the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) that is produced by the pituitary gland. If the blood test indicates that your TSH levels are high, you may have hypothyroidism. In this situation, the pituitary gland is trying to make up for the lack of thyroxine by adding more TSH to your system.
The blood test will also measure thyroxine itself. If your levels of thyroxine are low, you have hypothyroidism. Some doctors will only test one of the two hormones to diagnose the condition.
If left untreated, hypothyroidism can lead to heart disease, pregnancy complications, and even coma. These devastating conditions can be avoided by simply adding thyroxine boosters to your daily life, but you have to know you have the condition in order to pursue this treatment.
Causes of Hypothyroidism If you find that you do have hypothyroidism, you are probably wondering what caused the condition. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease known as autoimmune thyroiditis. This disease occurs when your body’s antibodies begin to eat away at your thyroid gland. This causes it to produce inadequate levels of thyroxine. No one knows what causes autoimmune thyroiditis.
If you have had thyroid surgery, you may find that hypothyroidism is a result. The condition can also be caused by certain medications. Infections of the thyroid gland can lead to hypothyroidism. Also, if you have a problem with your pituitary gland that causes it to produce inadequate levels of TSH, you will likely suffer from hypothyroidism.
Treatment for Hypothyroidism The treatment for hypothyroidism is simple. All you need to do is add thyroxine boosters to increase energy and metabolism. These tablets will add the necessary thyroxine to your bloodstream, thus eliminating the symptoms of your condition. You will need to take a dose of the medication each day, and your doctor will determine how much you need to take based on the results of your test.You may also check if this is covered by any Instant Health Insurance Quote. Because these tablets are simply replacing a hormone your body will normally produce, there are few side effects, provided the dosage is correct.
Hypothyroidism can interfere with the quality of your life. Testing for the condition is easy, and if you have the condition, treatment is also simple. Talk to your doctor today if you are experiencing any symptoms of hypothyroidism
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