HealthyCanada.com

Overview

Hypothyroidism is a disease in which the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough hormones to properly support the body's metabolism. It affects about 2 out of every 100 Canadians. An underactive thyroid can cause a variety of health problems including fatigue muscle weakness slow reflexes and difficulties with memory. The good news is that it can be effectively treated.

The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate your body temperature and heart rate control how fast you burn fats and carbohydrates even how much protein and calcium your body produces. There are a variety of reasons why this natural process may slow down:

• Autoimmune disease. The leading cause of thyroid gland failure in Canada is autoimmune thyroiditis (also known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis). For reasons not fully understood the body's immune system mistakenly produces antibodies that help to attack healthy thyroid cells damaging the thyroid gland and affecting its ability to produce enough essential hormones.
• radioactive iodine treatment for hyperthyroidism a condition in which the body produces an overabundance of thyroid hormones. The iodine is meant to accumulate in the thyroid gland in order to slowdown the production of hormones. But sometimes it goes too far resulting in hypothyroidism.
• surgical removal of part or most of the thyroid gland
• radiation treatments to the upper body for cancers such as Hodgkin's disease
• congenital hypothyroidism in which the thyroid gland fails to develop normally before birth. After birth normal physical and mental development depends on an adequate supply of thyroid hormone. In Canada all newborns are routinely tested for congenital hypothyroidism in order to prevent severe developmental disorders.
• certain drugs such as lithium and amiodarone
• temporary forms of thyroiditis such as postpartum or viral thyroiditis

While both sexes are affected more women than men are diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Age is a risk factor and women over 40 years of age are especially vulnerable. You are also more at risk if you have:

• a close relative with an autoimmune disease
• diabetes which moderately increases the risk that you'll develop hypothyroidism during or after pregnancy
• had treatment with radioactive iodine or anti-thyroid medications
• received radiation to your neck or upper chest regardless of how long ago
• have had thyroid surgery

Because hypothyroidism develops over time you may initially think your body is simply "slowing down with age". But as your thyroid produces fewer and fewer hormones and your metabolism continues to slow you may develop more tell-tale symptoms including:

• weak slow heart beat
• muscular weakness
• constant fatigue
• sensitivity to cold
• poor appetite
• a hoarse voice
• slowed mental processes and poor memory
• brittle hair and dry course skin
• constipation
• an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)

If you notice any or all of these symptoms see your doctor. He can arrange for a test which can measure levels of essential thyroid hormones in the blood.

Treatment of hypothyroidism can be treated simply and effectively by replacing the hormones your thyroid is no longer producing with a synthetic substitute. This usually involves taking a daily pill for the rest of your life. Be sure to tell your doctor about any other medications that you may be taking including those purchased over-the-counter.

Soon after starting treatment you'll notice that you are less tired and you have more energy. If your cholesterol levels were raised due to the hypothyroidism they should begin to come down. You should also shed any excess weight that you may have put on as a result of your condition.

Some doctors recommend annual screenings for hypothyroidism in pregnant women and for those over the age of 60.

Early diagnosis and treatment will prevent serious complications such as myxedema a rare life-threatening condition that can cause profound lethargy and unconsciousness.

Additional Resources:

Thyroid Foundation of Canada