Many individuals suffer from a thyroid disorder, which does not produce enough hormones, which are essential for the body to function properly.
We often hear about hypothyroidism ( cd. underactive thyroid), because, by now, there are many people who suffer from this pathology. These are the cases in which the thyroid gland it does not secrete some types of hormones in sufficient quantity.
Hypothyroidism is associated with gods in most cases easily recognizable symptoms, especially initially. It is essential to recognize and treat this disease early because, if neglected, it can cause various health problems, including obesity, joint pain, infertility and heart disease.
Thyroid gland: how is it possible to recognize its disorders?
Hypothyroidism is a particular disease that occurs when the thyroid does not work properly e fails to produce enough thyroid hormones, essential for the proper functioning of the organs. For this reason, an abnormality in the functioning of the thyroid gland leads to negative effects on quality of life and a slowing down of the normal functions of the human body.
Thyroid hormones, in fact, are very important for the circulatory system, sleep rhythm, metabolism and the development of the nervous system. It is therefore necessary to diagnose any deficiency in time and contact a specialist. To aid in the early diagnosis of hypothyroidism, I am available to thyroid function testto be carried out together with dosage of specific antibodies e all’ultrasound.
In the case of a positive diagnosis, it is necessary to contact an endocrinologist and start therapy. The most common is the treatment withsynthetic thyroid hormonebecause, to date, it is the easiest, safest and most valid treatment.
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The most common symptoms of hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is accompanied not by a single symptom, but by several. Furthermore, they do not manifest themselves equally in all individuals, but change according to the age of the patient and the severity of the disease.
Initially, the discomfort is not very pronounced and occurs slowly, only to get worse over the years. The most common symptoms are:
- fatigue;
- increased sensitivity to cold;
- constipation;
- dry skin;
- weight gain;
- swelling of the face;
- hoarse voice
- muscle weakness;
- increased blood cholesterol;
- muscle aches and stiffness;
- swelling, pain and stiffness in the joints;
- irregular or heavy menstrual cycle;
- hair loss;
- slow heartbeat;
- depression;
- memory problems;
- enlarged thyroid gland (so-called goiter)
If these symptoms appear and persist, it is advisable to promptly consult an endocrinologist.
Causes and Treatment of Hypothyroidism
Such a thyroid pathology can be congenital, that is, present from birth, or it can take over during growth. Among the most common causes of acquired hypothyroidism there are autoimmune thyroiditis, surgical removal of the thyroid, radioactive iodine therapy and the use of certain drugs, such as amiodarone.
It is not possible to prevent thyroid problems entirely but, without a doubt, observe one as well Proper nutrition can bring benefits. It would be appropriate, in fact, to ingest foods that give the body the right amount of iodinepresent mainly in iodized salt, crustaceans and fish.
Read also: “For those suffering from thyroid there are 8 foods recommended to avoid problems“.
The cure for hypothyroidism usually consists of one di levothyroxine therapy, with which it is possible to compensate for thyroid dysfunction and keep discomfort under control. Furthermore, many patients have to carry out the treatment for their whole life and, for this reason, they must periodically undergo specialist checks, to verify the correctness of the dosage of the medicines.
(The information in this article is for informational purposes only and concerns scientific studies published in medical journals. Therefore, it does not replace the consultation of a doctor or specialist, and should not be considered for formulating treatments or diagnoses)
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