Hypothyroidism Symptoms

Published: 04th March 2010
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When the thyroid gland is not responding to the pituitary gland's release of thyroid stimulating hormone, the result is a hypoactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, and insufficient levels of thyroid hormone in the blood. This condition affects more women than men, and requires life long treatment to replace the hormones not being produced by the thyroid.

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the body lacks sufficient thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism is also known as an under active thyroid. It occurs when the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroxine. Many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism are very subtle and are experienced by people without thyroid disease. Thus, a lot of physicians overlook the symptoms of fatigue, weight gain and depression and attribute them to other causes.

An overactive thyroid gland quickly uses up certain vitamins, causing them to become dangerously deficient. The B vitamins are responsible for our mental health, and it is possible some of the mental symptoms of hyperthyroidism are due to B vitamin deficiencies, especially vitamin B1 (thiamine). Therefore, a high intake of this vitamin is necessary. Likewise, demand for vitamin B6 is high in hyperthyroidism and also when protein intake is generous.

The thyroid gland functions are important in controlling our metabolism. Metabolism may be simply defined as the rapidity in which the body processes energy and chemical reactions. It also controls the speed of our organ functions.

If the thyroid is slow, all bodily functions are slow and the person tends to gain weight. If too fast, then the opposite is true. An underactive thyroid can produce up to 75 different symptoms.

Symptoms:
Subclinical hypothyroidism is the term that describes the initial symptoms of hypothyroidism that can be overlooked and mimic other conditions. Symptoms include:

Fatigue
Intolerance to cold
Dry and/or pale skin
Hair loss and brittle nails
sore muscles, slow movements and weakness
Hoarse voice
a change in facial expression
Depression
Memory deficits and difficulty in concentrating
Increased weight

Causes of Hashimoto's disease

The common causes and risk factor's of Hashimoto's disease include the following:

The exact cause of Hashimoto's disease is unknown.

A reaction of the immune system against the thyroid gland.

If someone in your family has had thyroid disease, you may have an increased risk for Hashimoto's disease.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is most common among women, particularly older women, and tends to run in families.

It may rarely be associated with other endocrine disorders caused by the immune system.

A combination of factors including heredity, and age may determine your likelihood of developing the disorder.

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is seen more frequently in people taking extra iodine in their diets.

To improve thyroid health, there are many "best practices" aimed at increasing your hormonal level and helping you not suffer the debilitating results of hormonal deficiency. Some people react very positively to a particular natural therapy and not to others; as with almost everything each person's sensitivity to a particular food, supplement, medication, etc. varies by gender, age, race, life-style, experience (exposure to external influences, extreme cases such as asbestos exposure), allergic susceptibility, heredity, along with others.

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