Concerned about hypothyroidism? These are the signs to look out for.
It’s estimated that nearly 5% of Americans above the age of 12 live with hypothyroidism, a condition that occurs when the body experiences a deficit of thyroid hormone.
The thyroid gland, located in the neck, is responsible for the production of thyroid hormone, which helps to regulate metabolism. When someone has chronic hypothyroidism, it can impact multiple organs, from the heart to the brain, says Dr. Shuchie Jaggi, DO, a physician specializing in endocrinology, and the co-director of the thyroid program at Lenox Hill Hospital.
There are numerous reasons why a person could develop hypothyroidism. In rare cases, hypothyroidism may be the precursor to more serious illnesses, which is why it’s important to work with your healthcare provider to manage symptoms.
What is hypothyroidism?
“Hypothyroidism is actually quite common and tends to increase with age,” says Dr. Erik Alexander, MD, the chief of the thyroid section at Brigham and Women's Hospital and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. “It also tends to be a bit more predominant in women than in men,” he says.
When someone has hypothyroidism, symptoms may range from mild to severe, Alexander says. Hypothyroidism often slows metabolism, causing your body to burn fewer calories than normal, and leading to weight gain, according to the American Thyroid Association.
Other possible signs of hypothyroidism include: extreme fatigue, constipation, dry skin, cold sensitivity, menstrual irregularities, inability to focus and muscle aches, says Jaggi. Importantly, because many of these symptoms could be the result of another underlying condition, hypothyroidism is primarily identified through laboratory testing.
In case you missed: We all need HGH, the hormone responsible for growth. What exactly does it do?
What causes hypothyroidism?
The leading cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s disease (also known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, chronic autoimmune thyroiditis or lymphocytic thyroiditis), per Cleveland Clinic. It’s an autoimmune condition that prompts your body’s immune system to attack the thyroid, leading to inflammation and an interruption of thyroid hormone production, according to the National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Hypothyroidism could also be caused by:
Congenital hypothyroidism
Surgical removal, or partial removal, of the thyroid
Radiation treatment of the thyroid
Certain medications
Disorders of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus
Iodine deficiency
Other autoimmune diseases: What is vasculitis? What to know about disorder that 'knocked out' Ashton Kutcher's vision
How to treat hypothyroidism
“Any level of hypothyroidism should be evaluated by a physician to better understand a prognosis and next steps,” Alexander says. Some forms of mild to moderate hypothyroidism will self-resolve, especially if it’s caused by an inflammation of the thyroid. However, for a chronic illness like Hashimoto’s disease, long-term treatment may be required.
Hypothyroidism is treated with a thyroid replacement medication called levothyroxine, says Jaggi. Regular blood tests performed by your healthcare provider can identify when your body has returned to normal thyroid hormone levels, per the NHS in the U.K.
Severe hypothyroidism can be dangerous, which is why it’s so important to have a conversation with your healthcare provider if you’re experiencing noticeable symptoms, says Alexander. If chronic hypothyroidism is left untreated, the greatest concern is the development of myxoedema, a life-threatening condition that can leave patients in a comatose state, Jaggi says.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is hypothyroidism? Symptoms, causes, treatment options
