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Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone, leading to a range of symptoms and health problems. The thyroid gland, located in the neck, produces hormones that regulate metabolism and other bodily functions.
There are many potential causes of hypothyroidism, including autoimmune disorders, radiation treatment, and certain medications. It can also be congenital, meaning that it is present from birth.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism can include fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, dry skin, constipation, and depression. In severe cases, hypothyroidism can cause myxedema, a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by extreme lethargy, confusion, and low body temperature.
Treatment for hypothyroidism typically involves replacement therapy with synthetic thyroid hormone, taken in the form of a daily pill. Regular blood tests are typically used to monitor thyroid hormone levels and adjust the dosage of medication as needed.
In addition to medication, lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and stress management may be helpful in managing symptoms of hypothyroidism.
If you suspect that you may have hypothyroidism, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider, who can perform a physical exam and order blood tests to evaluate thyroid function. With proper treatment and management, most people with hypothyroidism can lead healthy and productive lives.
When your thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones, the balance of chemical reactions in your body can be upset. There can be a number of causes, including autoimmune disease, hyperthyroidism treatments, radiation therapy, thyroid surgery and certain medications.
Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland situated at the base of the front of your neck, just below your Adam's apple. Hormones produced by the thyroid gland — triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) — have an enormous impact on your health, affecting all aspects of your metabolism. These hormones also influence the control of vital functions, such as body temperature and heart rate.
Hypothyroidism results when the thyroid gland fails to produce enough hormones. Hypothyroidism may be due to a number of factors, including:
Less often, hypothyroidism may result from one of the following:
Standard treatment for hypothyroidism involves daily use of the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine (Levo-T, Synthroid, others). This oral medication restores adequate hormone levels, reversing the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism.
You'll likely start to feel better soon after you start treatment. The medication gradually lowers cholesterol levels elevated by the disease and may reverse any weight gain. Treatment with levothyroxine will likely be lifelong, but because the dosage you need may change, your doctor is likely to check your TSH level every year.
To determine the right dosage of levothyroxine initially, your doctor generally checks your level of TSH after six to eight weeks. After that, blood levels are generally checked six months later. Excessive amounts of the hormone can cause side effects, such as:
If you have coronary artery disease or severe hypothyroidism, your doctor may start treatment with a smaller amount of medication and gradually increase the dosage. Progressive hormone replacement allows your heart to adjust to the increase in metabolism.
Levothyroxine causes virtually no side effects when used in the appropriate dose and is relatively inexpensive. If you change brands, let your doctor know to ensure you're still receiving the right dosage.
Also, don't skip doses or stop taking the drug because you're feeling better. If you do, the symptoms of hypothyroidism will gradually return.
Certain medications, supplements and even some foods may affect your ability to absorb levothyroxine. Talk to your doctor if you eat large amounts of soy products or a high-fiber diet or you take other medications, such as:
Levothyroxine is best taken on an empty stomach at the same time every day. Ideally, you'll take the hormone in the morning and wait an hour before eating or taking other medications. If you take it at bedtime, wait four hours after your last meal or snack.
If you miss a dose of levothyroxine, take two pills the next day.
If you have subclinical hypothyroidism, discuss treatment with your doctor. For a relatively mild increase in TSH, you probably won't benefit from thyroid hormone therapy, and treatment could even be harmful. On the other hand, for a higher TSH level, thyroid hormones may improve your cholesterol level, the pumping ability of your heart and your energy level.
Starting at a dose of 0.05 mg daily, the dose is increased to 0.1 mg daily over three weeks. A further 0.2 dose increase in 6 weeks may be required if necessary. Doses should be increased at intervals of 14 days or more, but it is too late to get good results. Do not stop the medicine even if the symptoms of the disease are relieved and the patient feels better. Regular treatment should be continued indefinitely. For patients with impaired myocardial perfusion, the daily dose is kept between 0.05 and 0.1 mg, and with.
1 pill 2/3 times daily.
For anemia. 1 pill in the morning and 1 pill at night.
1 pill 2/3 times a day.