Hypothyroidism is a condition wherein the thyroid gland fails to produce the sufficient amount thyroid hormone. Iodine deficiency is found to be a common trigger to the thyroid gland's malfunction. As of 2011, an estimate of about 200 million people around the world have been diagnosed with it. 10% of this population are mostly likely female.
A brief overview:
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ situated in the front area of the neck. The hormone it generates is responsible for controlling the body's usage of energy. Simply put, it manages your metabolism.
Having a low-iodine diet increases the gland's susceptibility to damage. This mostly occurs in regions where a nutrient-packed meal cannot be afforded by most people on a regular basis. Such would include a majority of third world countries.
"Nutritional" hypothyroidism is rare in countries like the US. But nevertheless, an approximate of 10 million Americans still suffer from having an underactive thyroid gland. Instead of lack in iodine, autoimmune thyroiditis is a common culprit in cases in the US. Otherwise known as Hashimoto's disease, the problem lies in the body's immune system. Antibodies attack the gland and weakens it until it is ultimately rendered incapable of producing enough hormones.
Another cause is the surgical removal of some, if not all, of the thyroid gland's portions. Naturally, the more is taken from the gland, the more it minimizes secretion of hormones. The method of taking out the gland is performed to treat thyroid cancer.
Are there common symptoms?
Hypothyroidism does not project obvious symptoms on the onset that's why it goes unnoticed until later in the person's 50s. A damaged thyroid gland usually doesn't induce pain.
Since the hormone's main function is to keep the body's metabolism in check, fatigue and weight gain are common indicators for the condition. People with poor gland function are prone to drowsiness and depression. Their physical appearance is affected, too. They tend to have dry skin and brittle nails. And even when they eat normally, they will still pack some pounds and will find it difficult to shed them off since the body cannot produce the necessary levels of energy to stimulate active metabolic rates.
If not given treatment, the body will continue to decline, as evidenced by impaired senses of smell and taste. The affected person will eventually develop sluggish speech.
Who is affected and how is it treated?
The condition normally appears later in adulthood. There have been reported cases of hypothyroidism in children and teenagers, although seldom occurring.
However, women remain in higher risks of thyroid hormone deficiency. It is an effect of pregnancy wherein the body's hormone levels are in a constant state of flux. The imbalance might not normalize even after pregnancy, thus the disorder.
What's good about hypothyroidism is that it is easy to detect and also easy to treat.
Should symptoms appear, immediately consult a doctor. A physical exam and blood test can determine if your thyroid hormone level is lower than required. If it is, an immediate treatment would be a prescribed dosage of thyroid hormone pills to improve it.
Severe, untreated hypothyroidism might lead to myxedema coma and is treated with hormone replacement and steroid medications.
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It may seem harmless in its initial state, but hypothyroidism can greatly affected your lifestyle if you don't do something about it. The best treatment is always prevention. Eat the right food with the right amount of nutrients. Do not ignore any symptoms, if there be. Remember: to be healthy, live healthy.
To learn more about Home Remedies for Hypothyroidism, please check out the Hypothyroidsim Solution.
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