Low Thyroid Hormone - Hypothyroidism



Low Thyroid Hormone - Hypothyroidism

Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, just above your collarbone. It is a gland which makes hormones. The thyroid helps set your metabolism - how your body gets energy from the foods you eat.

If you have a thyroid disease, your body uses energy more slowly or quickly than it should. A thyroid gland that is not active enough, called hypothyroidism, is far more common. It can make you gain weight, feel fatigued and have difficulty dealing with cold temperatures. If your thyroid is too active, it makes more thyroid hormones than your body needs. That condition is hyperthyroidism. Too much thyroid hormone can make you lose weight, speed up your heart rate and make you very sensitive to heat. There are many causes for both conditions.

Treatment involves trying to reset your body's metabolism to a normal rate. This treatment usually means taking medicine to get your thyroid back to normal.

What are the symptoms of low thyroid hormone levels? It seldom causes symptoms in the early stages, but over time, if left untreated, it can cause a number of health problems, such as obesity, joint pain, infertility and heart disease. Some of the following symptoms may appear:

• Drowsiness, feeling “tired” a lot

• Dry skin, dry hair, hair loss, brittle nails

• Do not feel like eating but gain weight

• Muscle cramps

• Swelling of the legs

• Feeling cold often

• Trouble remembering things

• Reacting slower, falling often

• Heavy and irregular menstrual periods

• Constipation

How do you find out if you have an underactive thyroid? The only way to know for sure is to have your blood checked for levels of thyroid hormones.

Many overweight people may think that something is wrong with their thyroid and this has caused their weight gain. The only way to find out is talk with your doctor to discuss any symptoms you may have.

How is it treated? Thyroid hormone pills can be given to you. It is important to have your blood checked to make sure you are on the right strength of thyroid hormone.

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