What Is Hypothyroidism - Cheat Sheet
Hypothyroidism is a common condition characterized by the production of lower than average thyroid hormones in the body, including T4 and T3
. These hormones are responsible for bodily functions including heart rate and growth, development and other cellular processes throughout the human body.
Why Does Hypothyroidism Occur?
There is no one reason why hypothyroidism occurs. For some hypothyroidism occurs because the thyroid gland has been damaged. This may occur as a result of surgery, be present at birth, or due to a disease process in the body such as an autoimmune condition where the body attacks its own glands.
In other instances doctors are not sure the exact reason why one person develops a hypothyroid state, and another does not. Improper nutrition, inadequate exercise and exposure to toxins and other pollutants may contribute to hypothyroidism in some people.
Some people take prescribed medications that can contribute to their symptoms. In some cases a patient can stop taking medication to alleviate symptoms, but this is not always possible. In other cases a person is not getting enough iodine in their diet, which can contribute to thyroid problems. This is more often a problem in underdeveloped societies or among individuals that do not have well-rounded diets. In developed countries iodine is often put into foods such as table salt to prevent this.
What Are Some of the Signs of a Hypothyroid?
A hypothyroid state often mimics many other diseases, for example, patients with a mild hypothyroid problem, may not realize anything at all is wrong with them. They may feel fatigued or have only a few generalized symptoms. Over time symptoms may worsen and cause other problems like difficulty losing weight or weight gain.
Other common symptoms and troublesome signs may include:
- Intolerance to cold or frequent chills
- Depressed mood
- Coarse hair
- Dry and flaky skin
- Muscle cramps
- Increased levels of cholesterol in the body
- Inability to focus or concentrate for sustained periods
- Feeling pains and aches or joint pain like arthritis
- Swelling in the legs and edema
- Heart rate changes including heart failure in severe cases
- Stress
- Anxiety
Hypothyroidism can actually become quite severe over time among some people and can lead to a type of coma know as a myxedema coma if left untreated.
Fortunately for most people this is not the case. Proper attention to symptoms early can result in complete elimination of symptoms and resolution of the condition.
A simple blood test can diagnose hypothyroidism. Your health care provider may recommend several treatment options which may include supplementation with artificial thyroid hormones or natural thyroid derivatives to help stimulate your thyroid gland to produce more hormones.
A proper diet and exercise program can also help reduce fatigue and maintain weight levels. A good diet is also important for nourishing the thyroid gland and insuring you get adequate iodine in your diet. This will help stabilize the thyroid gland over time.
You will want to make sure you receive ongoing care so your thyroid function can be monitored over time, and to make sure you do not remain in a hypothyroid state, and also that your thyroid does not actually begin to produce too much thyroid hormone which can be equally destructive to the body.
The best way to maintain thyroid balance and resolve a hypothyroid state is to use natural remedies. Nature has provided us with many herbs and nutrients to balance thyroid hormones and treat and prevent symptoms, without the unfortunate side effects that pharmaceutical drugs can cause.
by: Duncan Capicchiano
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