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Understanding and Managing Hypothyroidism: Types, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
- Feb 18, 2024
Contributor,
Dr Huzefa
Consultant Physician,
Pulmonologist and Diabetologist.
Dr Huzefa
Consultant Physician,
Pulmonologist and Diabetologist.
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which there is deficiency of thyroxine T4 and insufficient effects of T3 leading to slowing of metabolic processes leading to the development of tissue and muscle swelling.
Types
1) PRIMARY – Chronic autoimmune or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Most common Others – patients who have undergone thyroid surgery or treatment with radioiodine or with antithyroid drugs, environmental iodine deficiency, congenital / by birth.
2) CENTRAL- Due to reduced thyroid stimulating hormone secretion from the pituitary gland.
– TSH should be measured in all children with lethargy, slow growth, attention deficit etc.
SUBCLINICAL HYPOTHYROIDISM – There is elevated TSH but normal FreeT4.In 70% there are no symptoms.
People may have mood and memory disturbances,fatigue, and high cholesterol.
1) PRIMARY – Chronic autoimmune or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Most common Others – patients who have undergone thyroid surgery or treatment with radioiodine or with antithyroid drugs, environmental iodine deficiency, congenital / by birth.
2) CENTRAL- Due to reduced thyroid stimulating hormone secretion from the pituitary gland.
– TSH should be measured in all children with lethargy, slow growth, attention deficit etc.
SUBCLINICAL HYPOTHYROIDISM – There is elevated TSH but normal FreeT4.In 70% there are no symptoms.
People may have mood and memory disturbances,fatigue, and high cholesterol.
SYMPTOMS OF HYPOTHYROIDISM –
weight gain, fatigue, sleepiness, mental and physical slowdown, cold intolerance,dry skin,thinning of hairs,swelling of the body.
High blood pressure, decreased pulse rate, rough voice, constipation, tingling sensation over the body, muscle cramps.
Menstrual dysfunction and infertility.
Coma can develop in extreme cases.
weight gain, fatigue, sleepiness, mental and physical slowdown, cold intolerance,dry skin,thinning of hairs,swelling of the body.
High blood pressure, decreased pulse rate, rough voice, constipation, tingling sensation over the body, muscle cramps.
Menstrual dysfunction and infertility.
Coma can develop in extreme cases.
DIAGNOSIS- There is elevation of TSH and reduced freeT4.
TREATMENT – Long term treatment with Thyroxine. It should be taken 1 hour before breakfast.
Other supplements like iron, calcium, antacids, and some diabetic medications should not be taken along with it.
The TSH level should be monitored after 6 weeks of the 1st dose and then every 6 – 12 months .
There is no evidence that eating or avoiding certain foods will help the thyroid work better.
TREATMENT – Long term treatment with Thyroxine. It should be taken 1 hour before breakfast.
Other supplements like iron, calcium, antacids, and some diabetic medications should not be taken along with it.
The TSH level should be monitored after 6 weeks of the 1st dose and then every 6 – 12 months .
There is no evidence that eating or avoiding certain foods will help the thyroid work better.
