Hypothyroidism is a common health issue that affects millions of individuals around the world. However the disease is frequently overlooked by the health care system. It is estimated that over 10 percent of the Americans with diabetes and cancer combined disease suffer from thyroid too. To understand the effects of low thyroid one must understand how the disease affects the human body.
A healthy thyroid produces hormones that control the metabolic rate of the human body. An overactive thyroid gland will make the system run too fast and hot and the hypothyroidism production will make the system run too slow and cold. The effects of hypothyroidism in the human body can be devastating as every degree drops the metabolic rate of the body decreases by 6 percent. And so there is no wonder that the people with thyroid dysfunction is depressed or tired always.
The symptoms of low thyroid are very subtle initially and the symptoms get obvious when the condition gets worsen. The common symptoms of hypothyroidism include: Fatigue, Depression, Modest weight gain, Cold intolerance, Excessive sleepiness, Dry, coarse hair, Constipation, Dry skin, Muscle cramps Increased cholesterol levels, Decreased concentration, Vague aches and pains, Swelling of the legs.
Symptoms of low thyroid in females over thirty years of age includes post-partum depression, infertility, multiple miscarriages, weakness, problems with skin or hair, lethargy, sensation of cold, impaired memory or mood, constipation, weight gain or loss, muscle and joint pain, emotional instability, swelling around eyes, face or legs, nervousness, depression, heart palpitations, fullness in the throat area or difficulty swallowing, and many more. In most cases severe hypothyroidism have lead to myxedema coma which is life-threatening.
Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of low thyroid. Therefore if a patient suspects that he/ she might have hypothyroidism must visit the doctor immediately to get evaluated by them to confirm if these are the symptoms of low thyroid. However it should not be taken for granted that fatigue is the symptom of low thyroid production. It might have various other reasons like poor blood sugar regulation, low adrenal function, anemia, nutritional deficiencies (often B vitamins), heavy metal toxicity, and lack of exercise, allergies, inadequate sleep, clinical depression, and chronic infection.
Diagnosing low thyroid might be difficult, thought there are many other lab values which can be used to evaluate the functioning of the thyroid. Most doctors opt for only one lab test for diagnosis the Thyroid stimulating hormone. Eight out of ten patients with symptoms of low thyroid will be told that the symptoms are due to the difference in TSH levels. Properly treated hypothyroidism can be cured completely whereas the untreated hypothyroidism can lead to enlarged heart and pleural effusion or accumulation of fluid around the lungs.
