Hypothyroidism is a glandular disease in which your thyroid fails to produce enough hormones. The thyroid gland is located in your neck below your Adam's apple. It is responsible for making the hormones that control your metabolism. Having a low-functioning or underactive thyroid can cause numerous health symptoms, including fatigue and hair loss. Though hypothyroidism is most common in middle-aged and older women, teenagers can develop the disease, as well.
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
FamilyDoctor.org lists the following as symptoms of a low-functioning thyroid:
Increased sensitivity to cold
Constipation
Pale, dry skin
Puffy face
Hoarse voice
Elevated blood cholesterol
Unexpected weight gain
Muscle aches, cramps, tenderness or stiffness
Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints
Heavier than normal menstrual periods in women
Depression
Visibly enlarged thyroid
Brittle hair and fingernails
Forgetfulness
Teenager-specific Symptoms
Most teenager-specific symptoms of hypothyroidism are related to growth and puberty. Low-functioning thyroids can delay puberty, delay development of adult teeth and stunt growth. According to TeensHealth, teenage girls with thyroid problems may have a decrease or increase in menstrual flow or there may be a shorter or longer time between periods than usual. Note: If her menstruation is newly developed, irregularity is normal for all teenage girls.
Causes of Hypothyroidism
MayoClinic.com lists several possible causes for hypothyroidism. Your thyroid can become low-functioning because of any of the following situations:
An autoimmune disease, particularly Hashimoto's thyroiditis. With this disease, your body's antibodies attack the thyroid.
Treatment for hyperthyroidism. Occasionally, when an overactive thyroid is being treated, the medication or treatment can go wrong and result in hypothyroidism.
Radiation therapy. Radiation treatment for your neck and head can sometimes affect your thyroid gland.
Medications. Certain medications can alter your thyroid's ability to produce its hormones. Speak to your doctor for more information about which medications may do this.
What Doctors Will Look For
All doctors need to check your body for hypothyroidism is a blood sample. Your blood contains the thyroid hormones the gland excretes, thereby allowing doctors to check the levels to see if they are low. Initially, your doctor may only check the levels of TSH, the "thyroid-stimulating hormone." If this level seems abnormal, a full thyroid blood panel may be requested, which will then test the levels of T3 and T4, the additional thyroid hormones.
Treatment for Hypothyroidism
Standard treatment for hypothyroidism is a prescription for a synthetic thyroid hormone, levothyroxine. Found in tablet form, levothyroxine is a small pill that varies in color depending on the size of the dosage. Your doctor will determine the dosage needed by the test results of the TSH, T3 and T4 levels. It will take about two weeks for the medication to start showing results. Your medication may not be the correct dosage right away. After being diagnosed, it may take several months to determine the proper dosage.
