Hypothyroidism Symptoms And Causes: IT’S NOT SADNESS. IT’S THYROID Continuous tiredness and weight gain? It could be Hypothyroidism. You are always exhausted, irritable, have you gain weight?
It may be that your thyroid does not work as it should, and you have Hypothyroidism. We tell you the symptoms and what you should do if you suspect that you are suffering from it.
We often attribute to other reasons – home, children, day-to-day stress, etc. What is a malfunction of the thyroid, a small butterfly-shaped gland that we have in our throat and responsible for secreting two hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)?
These two hormones work in a coordinated way and are essential for numerous processes carried out by the body, from temperature control to our heart’s rhythm.
If the thyroid does not secrete sufficient of these hormones for whatever reason, that is when we talk about the problem of Hypothyroidism.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HYPOTHYROIDISM
The first thing to say is that hypothyroidism symptoms do not appear overnight. Hypothyroidism’s symptoms is a gradual process in which you notice that something is not going as small by small for months or even years. Something is not going as it should.
The first thing you feel is usually inevitable fatigue and weight gain, and many times, depending on your age, this is associate with the ageing process. These symptoms can include others, such as:
- Constipation
- Dry skin problems
- Diffuse body aches
- Joint stiffness
- The menstrual cycle becomes irregular.
- Hair loses vigour and becomes thin.
- Nails become more brittle.
- Lower tolerance to cold
- Greater sadness
If not detected, new symptoms may appear later:
- Smell problems
- Voice problems (hoarseness)
- Decreased sense of taste
- Memory problems
- Slower heart rate
- Low body temperature
- Higher cholesterol levels
WHAT RISK FACTORS FOR HYPOTHYROIDISM CAN YOU HAVE?
The following list can give you clues as to whether you are at risk for Hypothyroidism:
- Being a woman (we suffer it more than men)
- Be over 60 years old.
- Having a family history of thyroid problems
- Have an autoimmune disease
- Having taken medication for hyperthyroidism
- Having recently been pregnant, as changes due to pregnancy can sometimes lead to Hypothyroidism
- Have an iodine deficiency.
THE IMPORTANCE OF IODINE IN THE DIET
Iodine is a crucial trace component for the thyroid to produce the hormones T3 and T4. Above all, Iodine comes from foods that grow in soils rich in this trace element and products from the sea (fish, shellfish, algae).
To ensure its contribution, health authorities usually recommend the consumption of iodized salt. Like everything else, it has to be an exercise in its proper measure because a lack of iodine causes Hypothyroidism. But excess can cause the opposite, that is, Hypothyroidism.
This is especially important with products that are not commonly utilized in our country, such as algae, which are beneficial in small quantities and consumed daily, but not in large amounts and frequently.
CAUSES OF HYPOTHYROIDISM
They can be varied, from pregnancy, as we have seen, to an autoimmune or congenital disease, to a bad diet that does not contain sufficient iodine, to problems with medication, etc.
HOW IS HYPOTHYROIDISM DIAGNOSE?
After assessing the situation, the doctor usually makes the throat’s palpation and asks for analytical blood and ultrasound to confirm this.
TREATMENT OF HYPOTHYROIDISM
It is pharmacological. Thyroxine is usually administering since it is only one of the two hormones secreted by the thyroid. The body can also transform it into triiodothyronine. Since the disorder is chronic, the medication must be taken for life.
WHAT IF HYPOTHYROIDISM IS NOT HANDLE AT RIGHT TIME?
If it is not treated in time and effectively, it can lead to severe problems, from cardiovascular to mental, through the nervous system’s disorders. Goitre may also appear, an enlarged thyroid gland that, in addition to being an aesthetic problem, can cause difficulties when swallowing or breathing.
Have questions? Then comment below to let us know so that we can give you the right answer.