Common condition
An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) is a medical condition where your thyroid gland isn’t producing enough hormones. The thyroid gland produces hormones linked to growth and energy which is why the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism tend to be tiredness, weight gain, and a low mood.
What causes hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is a condition that you may be born with, or it can develop in both males and females at any stage in your life, although females over 60 are the most at risk. The most likely cause of hypothyroidism is something having caused damage to the thyroid, such as cancer, certain medications, surgeries, or sometimes the body’s immune system mistakenly identifies the thyroid as a threat and will attack it - the most common autoimmune disease that will cause the body to attack the thyroid is Hashimoto’s disease. You may also find that if you have previously been diagnosed with an overactive thyroid, treatment may then lead to an underactive thyroid.
What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism can often be hard to spot because the symptoms can be very slow to develop and can easily be mistaken for symptoms of other conditions. The most common symptoms of hypothyroidism are:
- Fatigue
- Gaining weight
- Low mood/ depression
- Increased sensitivity to cold
- Dry skin/ hair
- Aching muscles
If you are noticing that you have some or all of these symptoms then you should inform your doctor who can then perform a blood test to measure your hormone levels.
What is an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)?
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck that is a crucial part of the endocrine system and is essential for a number of important bodily functions such as metabolism, temperature control, and growth.
Hypothyroidism is a medical condition that means your thyroid gland isn’t producing enough of the hormones it is responsible for: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4).
How can hypothyroidism be treated?
Hypothyroidism can be treated with hormone replacement drugs that provide your body with the hormone thyroxine, which the thyroid should normally produce.
The treatment usually prescribed is levothyroxine but the dosage will vary from person to person and it can take a bit of trial and error to find the dose that works for you. You will then have annual blood tests to ensure that your hormone levels are still being effectively managed. Unfortunately, there is no cure for hypothyroidism so treatment will be lifelong, however, treatment is usually very effective so you will be able to lead a normal life without symptoms or complications.
It is essential that an underactive thyroid is treated because it can lead to other health issues such as high cholesterol, heart disease, angina, and even heart attacks.
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