Hypothyroidism, sometimes referred to as myxedema, is condition which results in decreased production of thyroid hormones, causing the metabolism to slow down. The National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service states hypothyroidism affects about 5 percent of people in this country, with women over 50 being at higher risk of developing it. When left untreated, hypothyroidism can lead to other medical problems, including obesity and heart disease. Diagnosis of this condition is made by using blood tests that assess thyroid function.
Thyroid Gland and Metabolism
Your thyroid gland, located in the front of your neck, is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland with two lobes, one on each side of the windpipe. The thyroid produces two hormones, triiodothyronine and thyroxine, or T3 and T4. These hormones are released into the bloodstream and travel to all the cells in the body to regulate their level of activity, or metabolism. Specifically, these hormones regulate the rate at which you use the energy released from the carbohydrates and fats you eat. Thyroid hormones have a direct impact on metabolism, breathing, heart rate, production of protein, brain development, body temperature, muscle strength and weight. They also affect the menstrual cycle, skin dryness and cholesterol levels.
Causes
Hypothyroidism is most often caused by a condition called Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an inflammation of the thyroid gland. Hashimoto's is an autoimmune disease that causes damage to the enzyme-producing cells of the thyroid. Other causes of hypothyroidism include radiation treatment, surgical removal of the thyroid due to goiter or cancer, birth defects, post-pregnancy and conditions affecting the pituitary gland. Certain medications, such as lithium, amiodarone and propylthiouracil, a drug used to treat hyperthyroidism, can deplete thyroid hormone levels. Hypothyroidism can also occur due to aging or a deficiency in iodine.
Symptoms
Early in the disease, symptoms consist of sluggishness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, muscle aches, intolerance to cold, constipation, pale skin, loss of appetite with weight gain, heavy menstrual periods and brittle hair and nails. If not treated, low thyroid hormone levels could lead to depression, obesity, hearing loss, decreased taste and smell, hoarse voice, elevated cholesterol levels, numbness in the fingers and sleep apnea and snoring. Myxedema, a fluid infiltration into body tissues causing puffiness of the face and extremities, also occurs later in the disease.
Treatment
Hypothyroidism is treated with thyroid hormone replacement medications. Levothyroxine is a synthetic thyroid hormone prescribed by a doctor that is taken orally. There is usually a period of adjustment to determine the correct dosage. Once the correct dosage is determined, levothyroxine will increase the metabolism back up to speed. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the medications and supplements you take because some interact with levothyroxine, and will decrease its absorption and effectiveness.
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