Hypothyroidism (overactive thyroid) is an extremely common condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough of the essential hormones necessary to maintain normal bodily functions.
This imbalance is usually not detected until it has already taken over a year to develop. Underlying symptoms of hypothyroidism do not show themselves immediately and can be masked by the presence of other signs of disease such as fatigue or muscle pain.
The symptoms of hypothyroidism vary from one individual to the next. In the beginning, hypothyroid conditions can lead to few symptoms. Over time, diagnosed hypothyroid conditions can cause numerous health problems, including weight gain, joint pain, fatigue, infertility and osteoporosis. It is important to note that hypothyroid condition is often treated successfully with synthetic hormone therapy, but some patients may be diagnosed only when their symptoms become severe.
If you suspect that you may have hypothyroidism, your doctor will most likely refer you to an endocrinologist for a complete blood test. You can also be referred to a thyroid specialist who will carry out a physical examination and perform laboratory tests in order to confirm the diagnosis.
Your doctor may choose to do a thyroid ultrasound scan or a Thyroglobulin T antibody test in order to confirm hypothyroidism. If you are suffering from hypothyroid symptoms, your doctor may decide to perform tests such as X-rays, MRI’s, and a CT scan of the neck.
Other tests your doctor may decide to include blood tests and a urinalysis. In order to determine the cause of your hypothyroid condition, your doctor will do an MRI exam and an ultrasound scan.
If left untreated, some medical treatments for hypothyroidism require ongoing monitoring in order to maintain optimal health. For example, if you take hormone replacement therapy, your doctor may prescribe insulin shots every couple of months.
Thyroid medication can affect the production of hormones in your body. Your thyroid gland will be able to make the proper amount of hormones required for the proper functioning of your body, but if the levels are low in these cells, the gland cannot produce its proper levels of hormone. This can cause imbalances in brain function as well as affecting your nervous system and can eventually result in hypothyroid condition. If you experience any of the above mentioned symptoms, you should visit a health care provider right away.
Other treatment options for hypothyroid conditions include surgical removal of the thyroid gland, or radioactive iodine therapy, to correct thyroid malfunctioning. In either case, there are risks involved with these procedures, and they are usually not recommended for children. If surgery is not an option for you, then thyroid hormone therapy will be prescribed by your doctor.
Since hypothyroid condition is not always caused by a lack of iodine, it is important to remember that a healthy diet is not always the cause of hypothyroid condition.
So, if you suffer from symptoms of hypothyroid condition and if you suspect you may be suffering from hypothyroid, you should consult with your doctor.
The doctor will discuss the symptoms with you and will then evaluate you to determine the causes of the symptoms and whether or not hypothyroidism is present. He or she may ask you to have a medical examination first before prescribing any treatment for the condition. Hypothyroidism is generally diagnosed with a blood test, and sometimes with a physical examination as well.
Once diagnosed, treatment of the hypothyroidism begins by removing the thyroid gland through surgery. If the doctor removes the gland via surgery, the patient may experience side effects like weight gain, depression, loss of appetite, nausea and fatigue. In many cases, the medication used to treat hypothyroidism may also contain thyroid-stimulating hormones, which help to increase the pituitary gland’s activity so that the hormone levels are corrected.
When medication is not used for hypothyroidism, your doctor may prescribe thyroid hormone replacement therapy or radioactive iodine in order to correct hormone levels. You will receive synthetic hormones in the form of pills.
There is no way to reverse hypothyroidism but using hormone replacement therapy or radioactive iodine may slow or stop the progress of the condition to a certain extent. If the condition does not improve after three years of using hormone replacement therapy or radioactive iodine, then the doctor may recommend surgical treatment for hypothyroidism. However, you should talk with your doctor before you decide if you need hormone replacement therapy, as they may suggest that other methods of treatment are better suited to you.