Low thyroid levels, or hypothyroidism, is the underproduction of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located in the neck and produces hormones, or chemical signals, that tell the cells how to use energy. If too little thyroid hormone is produced, a patient can experience sensitivity to cold, weight gain, depression, constipation and decreased concentration, states Medline Plus, a website- of the National Institutes of Health. Thus, a patient experiencing symptoms of low thyroid levels should schedule an appointment to seek the proper diagnosis and treatment from a doctor.
Hashimoto's Disease
Hashimoto's disease, or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is the most common cause of low thyroid levels in the United States, according to MayoClinic.com. Hashimoto's disease occurs when the body's immune system attacks the thyroid gland and results in inflammation of the thyroid gland. Furthermore, inflammation of the thyroid gland may cause the underproduction of thyroid hormone. Doctors do not know what causes the body's immune system to attack the thyroid gland, thus there is no treatment to prevent it. Therefore, treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms by replacing natural thyroid hormone with synthetic hormone.
The most common prescribed synthetic thyroid hormone is levothyroxine. This medication should be taken as directed. Too much levothyroxine can result in hyperthyroidism, or too much thyroid hormone. This can cause anxiety, weight loss, diarrhea and other effects. Thyroid hormone levels should be checked every six to 12 months to make sure hormones are balanced.
Subacute Thyroiditis
Subacute thyroiditis is a rare condition in which an upper respiratory infection causes low thyroid levels, states Medline Plus. This condition occurs most often in middle-aged women after a viral respiratory infection. First, a patient will experience symptoms of hyperthyroidism, then later experience symptoms of hypothyroidism that may be permanent. In addition to symptoms of low thyroid levels, patients with subacute thyroiditis may experience pain in the neck that can spread to the jaw or ears. This condition can last for weeks to months, in which case, a doctor will likely prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, to reduce inflammation of the thyroid gland. Over the long-term, levothyroxine may be needed.
Surgery
The thyroid may be destructed in surgery, states Medline Plus. A patient who has recently undergone neck surgery may experience symptoms of hypothyroidism if the thyroid gland was damaged during the neck surgery. In this case, a doctor will likely prescribe levothyroxine to replace natural thyroid hormones that the damaged thyroid gland is no longer producing. Thus, a patient with recent neck surgery should let his doctor know if he begins to experience symptoms of low thyroid levels.
