What is Hypothyroidism? Diagnosis and Treatment

Hypothyroidism is a condition that occurs when your thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormone into the bloodstream, causing your metabolism to slow down.

In extreme cases known as Mxeydema, patients could suffer from: 

• Heart Failure
• Anemia
• Low Core Body Temperature
• Coma

Thankfully, Hypothyroidism is a very treatable condition and can be controlled with medication and regular visits with your doctor,

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism can often take years to develop noticeable symptoms. They can include: 

• Fatigue, brain fog, 
• Numbness and tingling in the hands
• Constipation
• Weight gain
• Prolonged muscle weakness and soreness
• Low tolerance of cold temperatures
• Dry coarse skin and hair
• Frequent and heavy menstrual periods

Diagnosing Hypothyroidism

After speaking with your medical care provider about your symptoms, your doctor will commonly perform a thyroid-stimulating hormone test (TSH), as well as blood tests for Hashimoto’s disease. If the thyroid is enlarged, your doctor can often check for that during your physical examination.

Treating Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is often treated through medication. Medication like levothyroxine improves the amount of thyroid hormone your body produces, realigning them back to normal levels. 

While Hypothyroidism is a very manageable condition, patients will need to take medication for the rest of their lives. However, with regular visits to your doctor to adjust and manage your medication, most patients can live a normal and healthy life.

If you or a loved one believes that they are suffering from Hypothyroidism, speak to your medical provider right away.