Hypothyroidism, What Is It

Hypothyroidism is the condition that occurs when the thyroid gland fails to produce enough thyroid hormone. It is also known as an under active thyroid

Hypothyroidism is most commonly caused by Hashimoto's disease, (Hashimoto's typically involves a slow but steady destruction of the gland due to the body's own immune cells attacking and destroying the thyroid gland that eventually results in the thyroid's inability to produce sufficient thyroid hormone the condition known as hypothyroidism) The two terms are not interchangeable.

The thyroid gland , are the two small butterfly-shaped lobes located in the neck. It is the situation where there are either low levels of thyroid hormones or reasons why the thyroid hormones are not able to carry out their functions. Hypothyroidism is almost always caused by one of two diseases: lymphocytic thyroiditis or idiopathic thyroid gland atrophy. Hypothyroidism is often suspected when TSH levels are above normal and T4 levels are below normal.

It is estimated to affect 3-5% of the adult population. Hypothyroidism is more common in women than in men. Women who have recently given birth, and elderly women, affecting up to 15 percent of women over the age of 70 years, probably because hormonal imbalance acts as a trigger for thyroid problems.

Hypothyroidism is often misdiagnosed by doctors, because the symptoms are so diverse and vary with each person but a diagnosis can be confirmed with a blood test that checks the level of various thyroid hormones including T3 and T4.

Children born in the US and Uk are tested for the disorder during their standard newborn screening. Children who are born without a thyroid gland have congenital hypothyroidism. Children born with symptoms have a greater risk of developmental delay than children born without symptoms.

Children with Congenital Hypothyroidism who receive appropriate thyroid medication live entirely normal lives, grow and develop normally, and can do as much mischief as a child whose thyroid hormone is produced from his or her own thyroid gland.

Children born to untreated pregnant women with hypothyroidism are at risk for impaired mental performance, including attention problems and verbal impairment.

Hypothyroidism is more common than you would believe and it can be successfully treated. Hypothyroidism which can go undetected if symptoms are mild, is not contagious and poses no risk to others.

Hypothyroidism is not a benign disorder however, because besides contributing to weight gain and lethargy, hypothyroidism also is a risk factor for coronary artery disease and breast cancer.

Hypothyroidism is completely treatable in many patients simply by replacement thyroid hormone therapy. It is treated with oral administration of thyroid hormone (T4). A daily dose of synthetic thyroid hormone called thyroxine (levothyroxine).