About Hypothyroidism-- a Common Illness

By hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland is producing too less hormonal agents to promote the body or the metabolism is unable to use the hormonal agents. The absence of thyroid hormones slows down the metabolism and therefore all the activities in the body, providing a mix of many symptoms related to sluggishness of physical processes.

Hypothyroidism is common, but the frequency of the condition is not well determined. Some authorities approximate that 0.5% of the total American population have the illness to some degree. The frequency is much higher amongst people over 50 years of age than among youths.

THE SYMPTOMS AND COMPLICATIONS OF HYPOTHYROIDISM

The most common early signs are: Mental and physical tiredness, weakness, weight gain or over-weight, and anxiety.

One or more of these signs also use to appear early: Constipation, sensitivity to coldness, cold hands and feet, thick tongue, decreased sweating, dry hair, thin breakable hair, thin fragile nails, muscle and joint discomfort, pale or yellow-colored skin.

One or more of these symptoms generally appear later on: Poor memory, slow thought process, sleepiness, sluggish speech, thinning of eyebrows, hoarseness, poor circulation, dry and flaky skin, decreased taste and odor, menstrual irregularities, skin thickening, puffy face, puffy hands and feet, swelling of extremities, overall swelling, muscle convulsions, muscle atrophy, joint stiffness.

In children or young persons hypothyroidism might offer developmental issues, like disrupted tooth development and short stature.

Hypothyroidism increases the danger of raised cholesterol levels, cardiovascular disease and diabetes (diabetes mellitus). This happens even by reasonably reduced thyroid production.

THE THYROID GLAND AND ITS HORMONES

To understand the hypothyroidism, some knowledge about the thyroid gland and its hormones is important.

The thyroid gland produces hormones that speed up and in other smart control metabolic process. A part of metabolism is the procedure of breaking down energy consisting of nutrients, and utilizing the energy to produce particles that all the processes and activities in the body usage as fuel. Another part is the production of molecules that the body use as structure materials.

The thyroid makes four hormones: Thyroxin (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), diiodothyronine (T2) and monoiodothyronine (T1). The hormonal agents consist of iodine, and the figures tell about the number of iodine atoms in each hormonal agent molecule.

The pituitary, a gland under the brain, produces a hormonal agent called thyrotropin or thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) that boosts the activity of the thyroid gland. By a too heavy thyroid hormonal agent concentration, less thyrotropin is produced by the pituitary, and the thyroid gland slows down.

THE MECHANISMS AND CAUSES OF HYPOTHYROIDISM

By hypothyroidism the body does not get enough thyroid hormonal agent, or the hormonal agents do not work effectively in the body. This triggers the metabolism to slow down. When the metabolic process decreases, the procedures in the body do not get enough fuel and structure products, and all the body activities will for that reason decrease. Energy consisting of nutrient will likewise be kept as fat, since they are not broken down.

Severe variants of hypothyroidism are called myxedema. There are numerous reasons for hypothyroidism, each offering a variation of the disease:

* An autoimmune reaction versus the thyroid tissue can destroy the ability of the thyroid gland to produce hormones (for instance Hashimoto's illness).

* Sometimes the production of T3 by conversion from T4 is impaired. The total amount of hormones may be normal in these cases, however the body is still doing not have T3, and gets the signs of hypothyroidism.

* Iodine shortage can cause hypothyroidism, because the thyroid hormones consist of iodine. In Europe and America the food is rarely brief in iodine, however bad nutrition may result in iodine shortage.

* Surgery or radiation at the thyroid location can destroy adequate tissue to cause hypothyroidism.

* Injury or disease in the pituitary or of the part of the brain controlling the pituitary may cause a reduction in produced thyrotropin, and then the thyroid will react by producing less of its own hormonal agents with hypothyroidism as an outcome.

* Some people have signs of hypothyroidism despite the fact that the quantity of thyroid hormonal agent in the blood is normal. Among the signs is raised levels of thyrotropin, showing that the body signals require for more thyroid hormonal agents. This variation may be brought on by conditions elsewhere in the body that make it tough for the hormone to reach their destination in the cells. In many of these cases the body immune system produces anti-bodies versus the thyroid hormonal agents. This variation is called sub-clinical hypothyroidism, and responds to the same treatment as ordinary hypothyroidism.

* Some kinds of food can add to a depressed thyroid function or exacerbate hypothyroidism when eaten raw in excellent amounts: Brussel sprouts, broccoli, corn oil, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi, radishes, rutabaga, soy and turnips. By preparing these vegetables, the depressing effect is decreased.
* Factors suspected for triggering hypothyroidism are: The artificial sweetener aspartame, mercury pollution, dental fillings including mercury, fluoride and heavy metal contamination.

HOW CAN HYPOTHYROIDISM BE TREATED

For major hypothyroidism triggered by tissue destruction, external supplement of thyroid hormonal agents is required.

When the condition is caused by absence of iodine in the diet plan, dietary modifications and iodine supplements will be part of the treatment. 

Less major, however unpleasant hypothyroidism is often likewise treated with hormone supplements. In these cases it is challenging to find the right dosage, and treatment might lead to hormone poisoning.

You can often reduce hypothyroidism by reducing the quantity of food believed for depressing the thyroid function: Brussel sprouts, broccoli, corn oil, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, kohlrabi, radishes, rutabaga, soy, soy items and turnips. However, these food types are important in numerous ways, so it is probably not wise to cut them out totally. Likewise try to prevent artificial active ingredients like the sweetener aspartame, conserving additives and fluoride.


The hormonal agents include iodine, and the figures inform about the number of iodine atoms in each hormone particle. The pituitary, a gland under the brain, produces a hormonal agent called thyrotropin or thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) that improves the activity of the thyroid gland. By a too heavy thyroid hormone concentration, less thyrotropin is produced by the pituitary, and the thyroid gland slows down. By hypothyroidism the body does not get enough thyroid hormonal agent, or the hormonal agents do not work effectively in the body. * Some individuals have signs of hypothyroidism even though the quantity of thyroid hormone in the blood is typical.