According to estimates, millions of Americans suffer from hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Due to the wide variety of symptoms, some hypothyroid sufferers may never know they have the condition.

Hypothyroidism is a condition that is associated with a lowered metabolic rate. Because thyroid hormones are so important for every cell in the body, a wide range of symptoms can appear. The overlap of symptoms of an under-active thyroid with that of other conditions, may make it hard to get a proper diagnosis.

What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?

• Fatigue – This symptom is associated with many different conditions, so not a critical factor for diagnosis
• Dry, brittle hair
• Inability to lose weight – If your eating habits haven’t changed much, but you start to gain weight
• Sensitivity to cold temperatures – With hypothyroidism, you become more sensitive to the cold
• Difficulty concentrating – If you suddenly have a hard time focusing and concentrating while you didn’t have that problem before, then a thyroid problem could be the cause
• Lowered libido
• Increased sleepiness
• Swollen hands and feet – This is due to water retention
• Muscle cramps and bone pain
• Development of a goiter – When the thyroid gets stimulated beyond its capacity, it becomes enlarged and visible in the neck
• Itchy skin

Typical Hypothyroidism Causes

Ordinarily, hypothyroidism was thought to develop due to low iodine levels in the body. Iodine is essential for thyroid hormone production and the thyroid is the only tissue in the body that can absorb iodine. We receive the majority of our required iodine through iodized table salt.

Certain medications taken for other conditions, may interfere with thyroid functioning. Genetic factors may put you at risk for developing hypothyroidism. If you have family members who have the condition, then you are at an increased risk of developing the condition yourself.

A temporary rise in thyroid activity followed by a low output of thyroid hormone is often caused by an inflammation of the thyroid, called thyroiditis. This type of inflammation is usually caused by an auto-immune reaction, in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissue. This condition is frequently seen in post-partum women. The temporary rise in thyroid levels in the body due to the inflamed thyroid causes some weight loss. This hyperthyroidism usually corrects itself, but can result in chronic hypothyroidism.

The first line of treatment for someone who suffers from hypothyroidism, is medications. In many cases, normal thyroid functioning can be achieved by either synthetic thyroid hormone or thyroid hormone derived from animal tissue. For people with mild symptoms or who prefer not to take thyroid hormone, a thyroid supplement may be helpful for their condition. In addition, certain foods that interfere with normal thyroid functioning should be avoided. If you think you may have hypothyroidism, talk to your health care professional and figure out what your best treatment option is.

Other articles you might like:

• Anti Aging Skin Care
• Element Of Surprise Check them out. Find out
• Reasons to Detoxify Your Colon Without Drugs and Melt Those Extra Pounds
• Why You Should Detoxify Your Colon Without Drugs and Shed Pounds Effectively

Trackback URI | Comments RSS