Hormone conditions can sometimes be difficult to recognise, often being attributed to other causes like getting older, poor diet. Symptoms like tiredness, weight gain, feeling cold, and dry skin could be signs of an underactive thyroid (Hypothyroidism). In this article we examine the symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism.
The thyroid is a small gland in the front of your neck that produces thyroid hormone. The thyroid hormones control the way your body uses energy (your metabolic rate) – meaning it affects nearly organ in your body. Thyroid hormone is made up of two primary hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) which impact your metabolism.
Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone to meet your body’s needs. It’s otherwise known as underactive thyroid. With less thyroid hormone your bodies metabolism is slowed, leading to the development of a range of symptoms.
The symptoms of hypothyroidism can be subtle and easy to miss in the beginning, developing over months or years. Some people may only notice such as tiredness or weight gain – often excused as normal or mistaken for other conditions.
Common symptoms of hypothyroidism may include:
Hypothyroidism can have several causes, the most common of which is Hashimoto’s disease.
Otherwise known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, this is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. Why your body does this is not known, but it causes inflammation and damage to your thyroid. Over time this can lead to hypothyroidism.
*If you’re taking medicine and worried about hypothyroidism never stop taking as prescribed, ask your pharmacist or heathcare provider about its effect on the thyroid gland.
Anyone can develop hypothyroidism, but it is more common in women, along with people older than 60.
If you are worried about hypothyroidism you should see your healthcare provider. A doctor will perform a physical examination of your neck for thyroid enlargement (swelling). They will also ask you about your symptoms, medical history, family history, and medicines history.
Because the symptoms of hypothyroidism can often very common among other unrelated health conditions diagnosis usually involves blood tests for the level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood, as well as the levels of each thyroid hormone (T3 and T4). They may also undertake imaging tests such as ultrasound, CT scan or thyroid uptake scan.
Subclinical hypothyroidism also known as mild thyroid failure, is when your TSH levels are slightly raised, but your other thyroid hormone levels are still within normal range, meaning that there are often no symptoms.
For some people subclinical hypothyroidism will need to be treated, this can include people who:
Your doctor may recommend repeat blood tests every 2-12 months as some people can go on to develop hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism is usually treated by replacing hormones that your thyroid is not making enough of, most often using the medicine levothyroxine, a synthetic form of the T4 hormone.
Levothyroxine is usually taken once a day, in the morning, on an empty stomach. Levothyroxine can restore your hormone levels and provide relief from your symptoms.
After starting levothyroxine your healthcare provider will run routine thyroid blood tests until your TSH levels even out. They may adjust the dosage during this period too. Once your levels are stable, the frequency of these tests will reduce depending on your situation.
Treatment with levothyroxine is often continued for life.
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