If you are, there are a few very important things that you should know about.
What is hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is a disease that effects the function of your thyroid gland. It impairs its ability to produce the proper amount of hormones, thus causing many adverse side effects.
hypothyroidism is much more common than you may believe too. About 5% of the population has Hypothyroidism and the majority of the afflicted are females. So don’t think you are alone in your journey to cure your hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism can be very severe or very subtle, many people go long times without being diagnosed. Going untreated can have negative consequences though,so it is best that you find a treatment sooner than later.
What is your thyroid gland?
Your thyroid is a small, two inch, butterfly like shaped gland that is located in the neck, just below the larynx. The thyroid produces hormones that affect most all of your body’s organs. So when your thyroid is not functioning properly your entire body is not functioning properly. The most common effects of a malfunctioning thyroid gland are: weight gain, dry skin, fatigue, and muscle weakness.
What causes hypothyroidism?
There are many things that cause hypothyroidism, including
- Hashimoto’s disease
- thyroiditis, or inflammation of the thyroid gland
- congenital hypothyroidism, or hypothyroidism that is present at birth
- surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid gland
- radiation treatment of the thyroid
- some medications
- Hashimoto’s disease
Hashimoto’s disease is a auto immune disorder which means your immune system that normally protects your body from foreign bodies turns on itself and attacks its own healthy cells. Specifically the cells located in the thyroid gland.
-Thyroiditis
Usually caused by a leak in the thyroid gland; thyroiditis starts with a leak in the thyroid gland causing the thyroid hormone levels in the blood to rise. In many cases the leak cannot heal in time causing the patient with hyperthyroidism to develop hypothyroidism.
-Congenital Hypothyroidism
Some infants are born with an under developed thyroid gland and it does not function properly. If this problem is not fixed the child can develop mental retardation and growth conditions. Most babies are now checked for hypothyroidism at birth now.
-Surgical Removal of the Thyroid
Part or all of the thyroid gland may be removed to treat other thyroid problems and that can cause other thyroid disorders, mostly hypothyroidism.
-Radioactive Treatment for the Thyroid
Radioactive treatment, no matter how affective it may be still destroys good cells in the body. The treatment is both good and bad when it comes to treating thyroid problems.
-Medications
Some medications have negative effects on the thyroid gland. Even though the medications are being taken for a good purpose they have their own side effects and should be taken with care.
