AP+Hypothyroidism+Info

What is Hypothyroidism?

 * it refers to any state in which the thyroid hormone production is below normal
 * it is a very common condition
 * A thyroid controls your bodies metabolism

What causes Hypothyroidism?

 * Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
 * Inherited condition
 * thyroid gland is usually enlarged (goiter) and has a decreased ability to make thyroid hormones.
 * more common in men than women
 * Lymphocytic Thyroiditis After Hyperthyroidism
 * Inflammation of the thyroid gland caused by white blood cells
 * This usually happens after pregnancy
 * but the mother can return to haveing a normal thyroid
 * Thyroid Destruction (from radioactive iodine or surgery)
 * After surgery when a patinet is given a dose of iodine they are left with little or no functioning thyroid tissue after treatment.
 * Usually afterwards the thyroid will not work correctly and doctors will have to remove the thyroid
 * Pituitary or Hypothalamic Disease
 * When the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus are unable to signal the thyroid and instruct it to produce thyroid hormones, a decreased level of circulating T4 and T3
 * Medications
 * Medications used to treat an over-active thyroid (hyperthyroidism) may cause hypothyroidism.
 * Severe Iodine Deficiency
 * When there is lack of iodine in the diet
 * this applies mostly to Zaire, Ecuador, India, and Chile

What are the symptoms??
Usually caused by aging The symptoms become more noticeable as the condition worsens
 * Fatigue
 * Depression
 * Modest weight gain
 * Cold intolerance
 * Excessive sleepiness
 * Dry, coarse hair
 * Constipation
 * Dry skin
 * Muscle cramps
 * Increased cholesterol levels
 * Decreased concentration
 * Vague aches and pains
 * Swelling of the legs

How is it diagnosed?

 * blood levels of thyroid hormones can be measured directly and are usually decreased
 * In early stages the level of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) may be normal when doing a blood test
 * Doctors look at patients clinical history, antibody screening, have a thyroid scan can
 * If a pituitary or hypothalamic cause is suspected, an MRI of the brain

How is is treated??

 * life long therapy
 * thyroid tablets
 * treatment of T4 where you take a dose of it a day
 * treatment of T3 where you take it many times a day
 * Children who have this condition need larger doses of medication

[|All info was found at this website]