Hypothyroidism is the most increasingly common thyroid disease. Hypo-means deficient or underactive, so hypothyroidism is a disorder is one in which the thyroid gland is under-performing or accumulating insufficient thyroid hormone. It is extremely vitally important to recognize the symptoms of hypothyroidism. As soon as you recognize symptoms and take your issues to your doctor’s attention, the faster you can begin to receive suitable treatment to control this thyroid disorder.
What Is the Thyroid Gland?
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland towards the front of the neck. It yields hormones that influence the speed of your metabolism Thyroid disorders may slow or reverse metabolism by hindering the production of thyroid hormones. When hormone concentrations become too low or too high, symptoms begin to occur.
Symptoms Associated with Thyroid Disorder
- Stress
- Weakness
- Weight gain or difficulty in losing weight (despite decreased food consumption)
- Raw, dry hair and dry skin
- Hair loss
- Sensitivity to cold
- Muscle cramps and aches
- Constipation
- Depression
- Memory loss
- Unusual menstrual cycles
- Reduced libido
- Slow speech (in serious instances)
- Jaundice (in serious instances)
- Increase in the size of the tongue (in serious instances)
Assessments that Diagnose Thyroid Disorder
- Blood tests are usually performed to assess the levels of thyroid hormones and TSH.
- Imaging tests are typically performed to identify thyroid nodules or expansion.
- Fine needle aspiration and biopsy
Treatment for Thyroid Disorder
For most instances, thyroid disorders may be finely controlled by medical therapy and are not life-threatening. Some of the circumstances may involve surgery. The outlook for most individuals with thyroid cancer is also good, even though patients with thyroid cancer, that has dispersed throughout the body, have a weaker prognosis.
- Medicines
Traditional therapy for hypothyroidism includes the daily use of the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine (Levo-T, Synthroid, others). This oral medicine restores ideal concentrations of hormones, halting the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism.
- Surgery
Surgery is performed in the cases of removing a big goiter or a hyperfunctioning nodule in the gland. But surgery becomes essential if there’s any probability of thyroid cancer. If the thyroid gland is completely eliminated, then the person will be required to take the synthetic thyroid hormone for life. Thyroid surgery is sometimes used in Graves ‘ Disease (subtotal thyroidectomy) and was the preferred treatment prior to RAI and anti-thyroid therapy. It’s not being used much now.