What is Hypothyroidism?
Thyroid glands are small, butterfly-shaped organs located just under your voice box (larynx) in the front of your neck. Imagine the butterfly’s wings hugging your windpipe (trachea), the middle of its body centered on your neck. Your thyroid is primarily responsible for controlling your metabolism. The metabolism of food is the process by which your body converts food into energy for use. In order to control your metabolism, the thyroid produces hormones T4 and T3. Cells throughout the body use these hormones to determine how much energy they should use.
The temperature of your body and the rate of your heart are controlled by them. In a healthy thyroid gland, hormones are continuously produced, released, and replaced by new ones to replenish what has been lost. As a result, your metabolism functions properly and all of your body’s systems are in balance. In the center of the skull below the brain, the pituitary gland controls the level of thyroid hormones in the bloodstream.
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is released by the pituitary gland when it detects either too little or too much thyroid hormone. It affects the entire body if thyroid hormone levels are too high(hyperthyroidism) or too low (hypothyroidism).
What happens when your thyroid is low?
Thyroid hormones are responsible for controlling your body’s metabolism, which is how your cells use energy from food. The metabolism influences your body’s temperature, heartbeat, and calorie burn, among other things. Having too little thyroid hormone slows down the body’s processes. You will make less energy, and your metabolism will slow down as a result.
Hypothyroidism is a condition during which the thyroid gland is unable to produce enough hormones.
Symptoms of an underactive thyroid may include but are not limited to excessive tiredness, weight gain, and depression. It is often possible to treat an underactive thyroid by taking daily hormone tablets to replace the hormones your thyroid doesn’t produce. Thyroid underactivity can’t be prevented. In most cases, thyroid disorders are the result of the immune system attacking and damaging the gland, or of treatments that damage the thyroid gland, such as treating an overactive thyroid or thyroid cancer.
What causes low thyroid?
A thyroid gland that is underactive is typically caused by an immune system attack, or by damage resulting from thyroid cancer or overactive thyroid treatment.
A thyroid gland that is underactive is often caused by the immune system attacking it, which usually fights infection. When the thyroid is damaged, it can’t produce enough of the hormone thyroxine, resulting in underactive thyroid symptoms. An underactive thyroid is most commonly caused by an autoimmune reaction known as Hashimoto’s disease. Hashimoto’s disease runs in families, but the cause is unknown. Symptoms are also common in people with type 1 diabetes and vitiligo, which are immune system disorders.
Previously treated thyroid glands, such as surgery or radioactive iodine therapy, can also result in underactive thyroids. An overactive thyroid (where too much hormone is produced by the thyroid gland) or thyroid cancer may require these treatments.
What are my treatment options for low thyroid?
Because hypothyroidism occurs when enough thyroid hormones aren’t produced, treatment aims to replace them. Since hypothyroidism cannot be cured, lifelong treatment is necessary to feel better and prevent complications. Lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet and a good exercise schedule can also help manage symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Among the most common treatments for hypothyroidism is using synthetic thyroid hormones. A synthetic version of T3 is liothyronine (Cytomel, Tertroxin), and a substitute for T4 is levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levothroid, Levoxyl).
Your doctor may recommend an iodine supplement if your hypothyroidism is caused by an iodine deficiency. Supplements containing magnesium and selenium may also improve your condition. Any supplement you take to help manage hypothyroidism should always be discussed with your doctor. Low thyroid can be treated at The Thyroid Place.
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