Hypothyroidism: causes, symptoms and how to intervene

What is hypothyroidism, what triggers it and what are the signs to watch out for, but above all how to treat it?

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What is hypothyroidism, what triggers it and what are the signs to watch out for, but above all how to treat it?

THEhypothyroidism is a disease caused by a reduced thyroid function. That is, the thyroid is no longer able to synthesize the amount of hormones T3 and T4 that would be needed by the body to meet its needs. But what are the causes of hypothyroidism? How does it manifest itself and what are the best treatments?

There are several forms of hypothyroidism, which can be primary, central and of generalized resistance to thyroid hormones, depending on the causes that trigger it.

Index

The causes of hypothyroidism

Aside from hypothyroidism congenital, which is when one is already born without the thyroid or with a partially formed thyroid, and of that neonatal, which occurs when thyroid cells or their enzymes do not work well, among the causes of the pathology there are first and foremost the autoimmune diseases, the most common form of which is Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and thyroiditis in general, which is inflammation of the thyroid gland that in some cases can cause a hypoactive response. (READ also: HASHIMOTO'S THYROID: SYMPTOMS AND HOW IT IS RECOGNIZED)

The same response can also be generated due to damage to the pituitary gland, for the recruitment of drugs such as amiodarone, lithium, interferon alpha or interleukin-2 (which prevent the thyroid gland from producing hormones normally) or when you have had surgical removal total or partial thyroid gland (for thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer or other serious diseases).

even the too much or too little iodineIt can also cause hypothyroidism: under normal conditions, the thyroid gland needs enough iodine to produce thyroid hormones. Iodine enters the body with food and through the blood reaches the thyroid, even taking too much iodine can cause or worsenhypothyroidism.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

In general, experts distinguish the type of symptoms and consequences that hypothyroidism entails based on the evolutionary stage (age) in which it arises. Thus, if hypothyroidism already occurs in the fetal life, there may be severe changes in body and brain development; in the childon the other hand, permanent alterations in somatic and intellectual development may occur (thyroid hormones play an important role, in fact, for the complete expression of growth hormone) and a delay in sexual development.

As for adults, the symptoms can be:

- There skin it becomes drier and the hair sparse and thin
- there you are tired easily and chronic muscle weakness is accused (hypothyroidism causes a reduction in protein synthesis)
- the zones palpebrali they become swollen and the tongue swells
- you become intolerant to low temperatures: a decrease in thyroid hormones, in fact, slows down the metabolism and the consumption of oxygen and their thermo-gene activity is also reduced
- accuses himself drowsiness (lethargy) which can lead to a coma
- trough and slowing down of the creative processes

Others symptoms can be:

weight gain,
constipation,
paleness and anemia,
hoarseness and lowering of the tone of the voice,
impaired hearing and memory,
decreased fertility,
heavy menstrual flows,
cramps,
bradycardia and decreased contractile force of the heart,
vasoconstriction,
increased levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and serum triglycerides.

Hypothyroidism Treatment and Treatment

Assuming that hypothyroidism does not heal, in any case it must be said that in any case it can be kept completely under control, replacing the amount of hormones that the thyroid can no longer produce in order to bring T4 and TSH back to normal levels. Good thyroid efficiency is maintained by administering thyroxine by mouth, which, taken practically for life, guarantees the resumption of normal functions. Proper nutrition can also help awaken the thyroid.

Finally, remember that all of them thyroid disease can be hereditary, so it is a good idea for all family members to have regular TSH blood tests.

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