When the thyroid gland is not responding to the pituitary glands release of thyroid stimulating hormone, the result is a hypoactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, and insufficient levels of thyroid hormone in the blood. This condition affects more women than men, and requires lifelong treatment to replace the hormones not being produced by the thyroid.
Thyroid hormones
A list of hormones secreted by the thyroid includes:
Thyroxine (T4), which contains four atoms of iodine. Triiodothyronine (T3) has three atoms of iodine attached.
The livers job is to transform thyroxine to its active form called Triiodothyronine. The variation of these levels determines which thyroid disease is present. Both of these hormones work together to determine how much energy your body burns. A fluctuation of these hormones can affect both men and women in the areas of sleep, weight, menstrual changes and erectile dysfunction.
Another hormone involved in this process is thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), manufactured by the pituitary gland. When thyroid hormone levels in the blood are low, the pituitary gland releases TSH, which stimulates the thyroid to produce and secrete more hormones.
Symptoms:
Subclinical hypothyroidism is the term that describes the initial symptoms of hypothyroidism that can be overlooked and mimic other conditions. Symptoms include:
Fatigue Intolerance to cold Dry and/or pale skin Hair loss and brittle nails sore muscles, slow movements and weakness Hoarse voice a change in facial expression Depression Memory deficits and difficulty in concentrating Increased weight Constipation fertility problems and increased risk of miscarriage heavy, irregular or prolonged menstrual periods Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
A goiter is described as a swelling of one or both lobes on either side of the thyroid gland. These are generally located on the lower aspect of the neck and appear as an enlargement.
Causes:
Hypothyroidism is more common in older people. Women are more likely to be affected than men. Autoimmune conditions such as diabetes, vitiligo, and Addison’s disease. Certain medications, such as lithium carbonate (psychotropic med) and amiodarone (for the heart) Inefficient amount of iodine Autoimmune Hashimoto’s thyroiditis Problems with hypothalamus or pituitary gland.
Hypothyroidism is tested by analyzing the levels of TSH and thyroid hormone levels in the blood. In most cases, a diagnosis of Autoimmune Hypothyroidism is determined by a certain amount of antibodies which affect the autoimmune system.
Treatment:
The treatment for hypothyroidism is fairly easy as it only requires replacing the missing hormones with an oral medication called levothyroxine. As with any medication, the patient will need to be monitored and the dosage adjusted until the correct amount is discovered. This can be accomplished by performing regular blood tests. Once the optimum dosage has been reached, yearly blood tests will need to be taken in order to ensure the correct amount of hormone levels is being maintained.
Since fetal thyroid development does not occur until the twelfth week of development, the fetus is fully dependant on the mothers thyroid to develop the nervous system. Any mother taking medication for hypothyroidism can feel confident in continuing her medication during pregnancy as she needs it for her health as well as the health of her baby.
Anyone who is planning on having a baby and is diagnosed with hypoactive thyroid should let their doctor know of their future plans. This will allow for her health to be at optimum performance.