If you have dry skin, lack of appetite, or thin hair it can be signs that you are suffering from hypothyroidism. The condition affects all the organs of the body and can therefore manifest with a host of symptoms. The most common are tiredness, sensitivity to the cold, and soreness in muscles and joints.
It is difficult to gauge how many suffer from hypothyroidism, but different studies estimate that between 20 % and 50 % of the population suffers from this condition. The condition occurs far more often in women than in men.
The 11 most common symptoms of hypothyroidism:
- Extreme tiredness
- Sensitivity to the cold
- Lack of appetite
- Weight gain
- Retaining water
- Constipation
- Dry and rough skin
- Hoarse and deep voice
- Thin hair
- Slow pulse
- A poor memory
It is rare that all symptoms occur in the same patient. Therefore, the list above cannot be used as a checklist, since you can easily have hypothyroidism and only a few of the symptoms. However, most experience tiredness, sensitivity to the cold, and irritations in joints and muscles. Research also show that elderly patients exhibit fewer symptoms than others.
When does one develop hypothyroidism?
The most common course of hypothyroidism is an inflammation in the thyroid – also called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. It is still unclear how the inflammation occurs, but it can be caused by both genetic and environmental conditions. The thyroid produces the hormones T3 and T4 that stimulate the cells’ metabolism. If the thyroid is damaged, it will not stimulate the metabolism correctly. Instead there will be a deficiency of T3 and T4 in the body, and the metabolism will slow down.
In addition to T3 and T4, the pituitary hormone TSH also affects the metabolism. If the brain discovers that there is a need for more metabolism hormones, the pituitary secretes more TSH. However, if the thyroid is damaged, the hormones from the brain are rarely sufficient to make up for the deficiency, and the metabolism slows down. The physician can use a blood sample to measure the amount of TSH and T4 in the body and thereby diagnose hypothyroidism.
The invisible illness
Even though hypothyroidism can cause a host of symptoms, many are unaware that they suffer from the condition. Therefore, you should visit your physician and get checked, if you suspect that you may have hypothyroidism, because only a fraction of those who suffer from the condition are in treatment.
Many of the symptoms can be mistaken for conditions brought on by lifestyle choices – for example obesity and tiredness but will not improve through lifestyle changes.
Here is what can be done to treat hypothyroidism:
If you have previously been in treatment with medicine affecting the metabolism, operation, or radioactive iodine for an illness in the thyroid, you are at a higher risk of developing hypothyroidism. In this case is it recommended that you have the functionality of your thyroid examined once every year.
Hypothyroidism is not a disease brought on by lifestyle, and therefore can’t be treated with exercise or changes in diet. However, it is of cause still advisable to have a healthy lifestyle.
The treatment for a hypothyroidism is hormone tablets containing T4 or in rare cases T3. Studies have not showed a difference in treatment with T4 or T3, but the topic is still being debated. hypothyroidism persists the entire life – unless it is caused by a disease that only causes a temporary effect on the metabolism. If you develop the condition you will have to take medication for the rest of your life, if you want to avoid the symptoms.
You can live a completely normal life, as long as you continue treatment. However, it is possible to develop symptoms of an overactive metabolism if one is being overmedicated, and it can take time to find the correct type of medication.
