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What is Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of certain
important hormones.
Women, especially those older than age 50, are more likely to have hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism upsets the normal
balance of chemical reactions in your body. It seldom causes symptoms in the early stages, but, over time, untreated
hypothyroidism can cause a number of health problems, such as obesity, joint pain, infertility and heart disease.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism vary widely, depending on the severity of the hormone deficiency. But in
general, any problems you do have tend to develop slowly, often over a number of years.
At first, you may barely notice the symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as fatigue and sluggishness, or you may simply
attribute them to getting older. But as your metabolism continues to slow, you may develop more obvious signs and
symptoms. Hypothyroidism signs and symptom may include:
• Fatigue
• Sluggishness
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Constipation
• Pale, dry skin
• A puffy face
• Hoarse voice
• An elevated blood cholesterol level
• Unexplained weight gain
• Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness
• Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints
• Muscle weakness
• Heavier than normal menstrual periods
• Brittle fingernails and hair
• Depression
When hypothyroidism isn't treated, signs and symptoms can gradually become more severe. Constant stimulation of
your thyroid to release more hormones may lead to an enlarged thyroid (goiter). In addition, you may become more
forgetful, your thought processes may slow, or you may feel depressed.
Advanced hypothyroidism, known as myxedema, is rare, but when it occurs it can be life-threatening. Signs and
symptoms include low blood pressure, decreased breathing, decreased body temperature, unresponsiveness and
even coma. In extreme cases, myxedema can be fatal.
Causes
When your thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones, the balance of chemical reactions in your body can be upset.
There can be a number of causes, including autoimmune disease, treatment for hyperthyroidism, radiation therapy,
thyroid surgery and certain medications.
Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the front of your neck, just below your Adam's
apple. Hormones produced by the thyroid gland have an enormous impact on your health, affecting all aspects of your
metabolism.
Two main hormones
Your thyroid gland produces two main hormones, thyroxine (T-4) and triiodothyronine (T-3). They maintain the rate at
which your body uses fats and carbohydrates, help control your body temperature, influence your heart rate, and help
regulate the production of protein. Your thyroid gland also produces calcitonin, a hormone that regulates the amount of
calcium in your blood.
The rate at which T-4 and T-3 are released is controlled by your pituitary gland and your hypothalamus — an area at the
base of your brain that acts as a thermostat for your whole system. The hypothalamus signals your pituitary gland to
make a hormone called thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Your pituitary gland then releases TSH - the amount
depends on how much T-4 and T-3 are in your blood. Finally, your thyroid gland regulates its production of hormones
based on the amount of TSH it receives.
Although this process usually works well, the thyroid sometimes fails to produce enough hormones. Hypothyroidism
may be due to a number of different factors, including:
• Autoimmune disease. People who develop a particular inflammatory disorder known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis
suffer from the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Autoimmune disorders occur when your immune system
produces antibodies that attack your own tissues. Sometimes this process involves your thyroid gland. Scientists
aren't sure why the body produces antibodies against itself. Some think a virus or bacterium might trigger the
response, while others believe a genetic flaw may be involved. Most likely, autoimmune diseases result from
more than one factor. But however it happens, these antibodies affect the thyroid's ability to produce hormones.
• Treatment for hyperthyroidism. People who produce too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) are often treated
with radioactive iodine or anti-thyroid medications to reduce and normalize their thyroid function. However, in some
cases, treatment of hyperthyroidism can result in permanent hypothyroidism.
• Radiation therapy. Radiation used to treat cancers of the head and neck can affect your thyroid gland and may lead
to hypothyroidism.
• Thyroid surgery. Removing all or a large portion of your thyroid gland can diminish or halt hormone production. In
that case, you'll need to take thyroid hormone for life.
• Medications. A number of medications can contribute to hypothyroidism. One such medication is lithium, which is
used to treat certain psychiatric disorders. If you're taking medication, ask your doctor about its effect on your
thyroid gland.
Less often, hypothyroidism may result from one of the following:
• Congenital disease. Approximately 1 in 3,000 babies in the United States is born with a defective thyroid gland or
no thyroid gland at all. In most cases, the thyroid gland didn't develop normally for unknown reasons, but some
children have an inherited form of the disorder. Often, infants with congenital hypothyroidism appear normal at
birth. That's one reason why most states now require newborn thyroid screening.
• Pituitary disorder. A relatively rare cause of hypothyroidism is the failure of the pituitary gland to produce enough
TSH — usually because of a benign tumor of the pituitary gland.
• Pregnancy. Some women develop hypothyroidism during or after pregnancy (postpartum hypothyroidism), often
because they produce antibodies to their own thyroid gland. Left untreated, hypothyroidism increases the risk of
miscarriage, premature delivery and preeclampsia — a condition that causes a significant rise in a woman's
blood pressure during the last three months of pregnancy. It can also seriously affect the developing fetus.
• Iodine deficiency. The trace mineral iodine — found primarily in seafood, seaweed, plants grown in iodine-rich soil
and iodized salt — is essential for the production of thyroid hormones. In some parts of the world, iodine
deficiency is common, but the addition of iodine to table salt has virtually eliminated this problem in the United
States.
Western Medicine Treatment
Standard treatment for hypothyroidism involves daily use of the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine. This oral
medication restores adequate hormone levels, shifting your body back into normal gear.
One to two weeks after starting treatment, you'll notice that you're feeling less fatigued. The medication also gradually
lowers cholesterol levels elevated by the disease and may reverse any weight gain. Treatment with levothyroxine is
usually lifelong, but because the dosage you need may change, your doctor is likely to check your TSH level every year.
To determine the right dosage of levothyroxine initially, your doctor generally checks your level of TSH after two to three
months. Excessive amounts of the hormone can cause side effects, such as:
• Increased appetite
• Insomnia
• Heart palpitations
• Shakiness
If you have coronary artery disease or severe hypothyroidism, your doctor may start treatment with a smaller amount of
medication and gradually increase the dosage. Progressive hormone replacement allows your heart to adjust to the
increase in metabolism.
Levothyroxine causes virtually no side effects when used in the appropriate dose and is relatively inexpensive. If you
change brands, let your doctor know to ensure you're still receiving the right dosage. Also, don't skip doses or stop
taking the drug because you're feeling better. If you do, the symptoms of hypothyroidism will gradually return.
Certain medications, supplements and even some foods may affect your ability to absorb levothyroxine. Talk to your
doctor if you eat large amounts of soy products or a high-fiber diet or you take other medications, such as:
• Iron supplements
• Cholestyramine
• Aluminum hydroxide, which is found in some antacids
• Calcium supplements
For a relatively mild increase in TSH, you probably won't benefit from thyroid hormone therapy, and treatment could even
be harmful. On the other hand, for a higher TSH level, thyroid hormones may improve your cholesterol level, the
pumping ability of your heart and your energy level.
Alternative Medicine
There is a significant progress using alternative medicine in this area.
If you want a referral of an expert alternative medicine practitioner in your
local area, please use our free referral service by calling our toll-free at
1-888-919-1188, or e-mail us to wei@weilab.com, or click the button
at the right to have us contact you.
Information gathered from the Mayo Clinic
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of certain
important hormones.
Women, especially those older than age 50, are more likely to have hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism upsets the normal
balance of chemical reactions in your body. It seldom causes symptoms in the early stages, but, over time, untreated
hypothyroidism can cause a number of health problems, such as obesity, joint pain, infertility and heart disease.
Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism vary widely, depending on the severity of the hormone deficiency. But in
general, any problems you do have tend to develop slowly, often over a number of years.
At first, you may barely notice the symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as fatigue and sluggishness, or you may simply
attribute them to getting older. But as your metabolism continues to slow, you may develop more obvious signs and
symptoms. Hypothyroidism signs and symptom may include:
• Fatigue
• Sluggishness
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Constipation
• Pale, dry skin
• A puffy face
• Hoarse voice
• An elevated blood cholesterol level
• Unexplained weight gain
• Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness
• Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints
• Muscle weakness
• Heavier than normal menstrual periods
• Brittle fingernails and hair
• Depression
When hypothyroidism isn't treated, signs and symptoms can gradually become more severe. Constant stimulation of
your thyroid to release more hormones may lead to an enlarged thyroid (goiter). In addition, you may become more
forgetful, your thought processes may slow, or you may feel depressed.
Advanced hypothyroidism, known as myxedema, is rare, but when it occurs it can be life-threatening. Signs and
symptoms include low blood pressure, decreased breathing, decreased body temperature, unresponsiveness and
even coma. In extreme cases, myxedema can be fatal.
Causes
When your thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones, the balance of chemical reactions in your body can be upset.
There can be a number of causes, including autoimmune disease, treatment for hyperthyroidism, radiation therapy,
thyroid surgery and certain medications.
Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the front of your neck, just below your Adam's
apple. Hormones produced by the thyroid gland have an enormous impact on your health, affecting all aspects of your
metabolism.
Two main hormones
Your thyroid gland produces two main hormones, thyroxine (T-4) and triiodothyronine (T-3). They maintain the rate at
which your body uses fats and carbohydrates, help control your body temperature, influence your heart rate, and help
regulate the production of protein. Your thyroid gland also produces calcitonin, a hormone that regulates the amount of
calcium in your blood.
The rate at which T-4 and T-3 are released is controlled by your pituitary gland and your hypothalamus — an area at the
base of your brain that acts as a thermostat for your whole system. The hypothalamus signals your pituitary gland to
make a hormone called thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Your pituitary gland then releases TSH - the amount
depends on how much T-4 and T-3 are in your blood. Finally, your thyroid gland regulates its production of hormones
based on the amount of TSH it receives.
Although this process usually works well, the thyroid sometimes fails to produce enough hormones. Hypothyroidism
may be due to a number of different factors, including:
• Autoimmune disease. People who develop a particular inflammatory disorder known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis
suffer from the most common cause of hypothyroidism. Autoimmune disorders occur when your immune system
produces antibodies that attack your own tissues. Sometimes this process involves your thyroid gland. Scientists
aren't sure why the body produces antibodies against itself. Some think a virus or bacterium might trigger the
response, while others believe a genetic flaw may be involved. Most likely, autoimmune diseases result from
more than one factor. But however it happens, these antibodies affect the thyroid's ability to produce hormones.
• Treatment for hyperthyroidism. People who produce too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) are often treated
with radioactive iodine or anti-thyroid medications to reduce and normalize their thyroid function. However, in some
cases, treatment of hyperthyroidism can result in permanent hypothyroidism.
• Radiation therapy. Radiation used to treat cancers of the head and neck can affect your thyroid gland and may lead
to hypothyroidism.
• Thyroid surgery. Removing all or a large portion of your thyroid gland can diminish or halt hormone production. In
that case, you'll need to take thyroid hormone for life.
• Medications. A number of medications can contribute to hypothyroidism. One such medication is lithium, which is
used to treat certain psychiatric disorders. If you're taking medication, ask your doctor about its effect on your
thyroid gland.
Less often, hypothyroidism may result from one of the following:
• Congenital disease. Approximately 1 in 3,000 babies in the United States is born with a defective thyroid gland or
no thyroid gland at all. In most cases, the thyroid gland didn't develop normally for unknown reasons, but some
children have an inherited form of the disorder. Often, infants with congenital hypothyroidism appear normal at
birth. That's one reason why most states now require newborn thyroid screening.
• Pituitary disorder. A relatively rare cause of hypothyroidism is the failure of the pituitary gland to produce enough
TSH — usually because of a benign tumor of the pituitary gland.
• Pregnancy. Some women develop hypothyroidism during or after pregnancy (postpartum hypothyroidism), often
because they produce antibodies to their own thyroid gland. Left untreated, hypothyroidism increases the risk of
miscarriage, premature delivery and preeclampsia — a condition that causes a significant rise in a woman's
blood pressure during the last three months of pregnancy. It can also seriously affect the developing fetus.
• Iodine deficiency. The trace mineral iodine — found primarily in seafood, seaweed, plants grown in iodine-rich soil
and iodized salt — is essential for the production of thyroid hormones. In some parts of the world, iodine
deficiency is common, but the addition of iodine to table salt has virtually eliminated this problem in the United
States.
Western Medicine Treatment
Standard treatment for hypothyroidism involves daily use of the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine. This oral
medication restores adequate hormone levels, shifting your body back into normal gear.
One to two weeks after starting treatment, you'll notice that you're feeling less fatigued. The medication also gradually
lowers cholesterol levels elevated by the disease and may reverse any weight gain. Treatment with levothyroxine is
usually lifelong, but because the dosage you need may change, your doctor is likely to check your TSH level every year.
To determine the right dosage of levothyroxine initially, your doctor generally checks your level of TSH after two to three
months. Excessive amounts of the hormone can cause side effects, such as:
• Increased appetite
• Insomnia
• Heart palpitations
• Shakiness
If you have coronary artery disease or severe hypothyroidism, your doctor may start treatment with a smaller amount of
medication and gradually increase the dosage. Progressive hormone replacement allows your heart to adjust to the
increase in metabolism.
Levothyroxine causes virtually no side effects when used in the appropriate dose and is relatively inexpensive. If you
change brands, let your doctor know to ensure you're still receiving the right dosage. Also, don't skip doses or stop
taking the drug because you're feeling better. If you do, the symptoms of hypothyroidism will gradually return.
Certain medications, supplements and even some foods may affect your ability to absorb levothyroxine. Talk to your
doctor if you eat large amounts of soy products or a high-fiber diet or you take other medications, such as:
• Iron supplements
• Cholestyramine
• Aluminum hydroxide, which is found in some antacids
• Calcium supplements
For a relatively mild increase in TSH, you probably won't benefit from thyroid hormone therapy, and treatment could even
be harmful. On the other hand, for a higher TSH level, thyroid hormones may improve your cholesterol level, the
pumping ability of your heart and your energy level.
Alternative Medicine
There is a significant progress using alternative medicine in this area.
If you want a referral of an expert alternative medicine practitioner in your
local area, please use our free referral service by calling our toll-free at
1-888-919-1188, or e-mail us to wei@weilab.com, or click the button
at the right to have us contact you.
Information gathered from the Mayo Clinic
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