What is hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is known as underactive thyroid. It occurs
when your thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. It means you have
low thyroid activity. The thyroid gland is shaped like a butterfly. It is
located in the front of your neck, below your Adam’s apple. The thyroid makes
hormones that control how your body uses energy. It affects your heart rate as
well as your muscles, bones, and other organs.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism
often begins slowly. Its symptoms can be mistaken for stress, depression, or
other health problems. Common symptoms include:
- Fatigue.
- Unplanned
weight gain.
- Muscle
weakness.
- Muscle
aches, cramps, tenderness, or stiffness.
- Increased
sensitivity to cold.
- Constipation.
- Pale,
dry skin.
- Puffy
face.
- Hoarse
voice.
- Elevatedblood
- Joint
pain, stiffness, or swelling.
- Changes
in menstrual patterns, such as heavier flow.
What causes hypothyroidism?
The most common cause of
hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disorder called Hashimoto’s disease.
Normally, the immune system helps protect the body against
viruses, bacteria, and other substances. An autoimmune disease causes
it to attack your body’s tissues and/or organs. With Hashimoto’s, the immune
system attacks the thyroid and keeps it from producing enough hormones.
Hypothyroidism treatment
Treatment for hypothyroidism is a
synthetic thyroid hormone. You take the supplement daily in pill form. This
medicine regulates your hormone levels and helps relieve symptoms. Over time,
your metabolism goes back to normal. The medicine helps to lower your
LDL cholesterol and may reverse some weight gain.
