THYROID DISORDER- An alarming Hypothyroidism?
Females are at higher risk of Hypothyroidism
Sometimes, newly born babies are also affected with hypothyroidism known as Congenital Hypothyroidism.[One of the most common treatable causes of intellectual disability
The thyroid gland weighs about 10 to 20 grams.
Lack of iodine causes hypothyroidism and even excess of iodine causes hypothyroidism{Wolff–Chaikoff effect.
Table of Contents
Overview of THE BUTTERFLY GLAND (The Thyroid)
The thyroid is butterfly-shaped structure located in the front of the neck beneath the skin and muscle layer. It’s a part of the endocrine system and controls many of your body’s important functions by producing and releasing (secreting) certain hormones.
Secretion of the thyroid hormones T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine) is regulated by pituitary thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Very small changes in serum-free T4 concentrations induce very large reciprocal changes in serum TSH concentrations. As a result, thyroid function is best assessed by measuring serum TSH, assuming steady-state conditions and the absence of pituitary or hypothalamic disease.
Are you being victim of hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism accounts for almost 90% cases of thyroid disorder.
Do you have these symptoms? {Its time to get your Thyroid Function Test done}
- Fatigue and weakness
- Cold intolerance
- Dyspnea on exertion
- Weight gain
- Cognitive dysfunction
- Intellectual disability (infantile onset)
- Constipation
- Growth failure
- Dry skin
- Hoarseness
- Edema
- Decreased hearing
- Myalgia and paresthesia
- Depression
- Menorrhagia
- Arthralgia
- Pubertal delay
How to find out the type of Hypothyroidism correlating with laboratory parameters?
[High TSH and low T4]
Primary hypothyroidism(almost 95% of cases of hypothyroidism) is characterized by a high serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) concentration and a low serum free thyroxine (T4) concentration.
[High TSH and Normal T4]
Subclinical hypothyroidism is defined biochemically as a normal free T4 concentration in the presence of an elevated TSH concentration.
{+-TSH and low T4}
Secondary (central) hypothyroidism is characterized by a low serum T4 concentration and a serum TSH concentration that is not appropriately elevated.
Is the treatment for hypothyroidism available?
Hypothyroidism is corrected with synthetic thyroxine (T4, levothyroxine).
Reassess the level or monitoring of TSH should be done after 6 weeks of initiation levothyroxine therapy and adjust the dose accordingly as prescribed by the doctor.
Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach so that the body can absorb it fully. Take it at least 1hour before breakfast.
Avoid the use of PPI(Esomeprazole), Iron during Levothyroxine therapy as is interfere its absorption.
Credit:
UpToDate
Research articles.
