Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck, which produces hormones that increase oxygen use in cells and stimulate vital processes in every part of the body. These thyroid hormones have a major impact on growth, use of energy, heat production, and infertility. They affect the use of vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, electrolytes, and water, and regulate the immune response in the intestine. They can also alter the actions of other hormones and drugs.

The two key thyroid hormones are thyroxine (T4) and L-triiodothyronine (T3). Iodine is the raw material used in the manufacture of these hormones; it is extracted from the blood and trapped by the thyroid gland where 80% of the body's iodine is stored. The thyroid mostly produces thyroxine, which in turn, is converted into T3, the more biologically active thyroid hormone. Only about 20% of T3 is actually formed in the thyroid gland, however; the rest is manufactured from circulating thyroxine in tissues outside the thyroid. The whole process of iodine trapping and thyroid hormone production is directly influenced by another important hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH or thyrotropin). This hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland and monitored by thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), which is produced in the hypothalamus gland. Both glands are located in the brain. Any abnormality in this intricate system of glands and hormone synthesis and production can have far-reaching consequences.

When there is inadequate secretion of thyroid hormones, hypothyroidism occurs and the body begins to slow down. It was first diagnosed in the late nineteenth century when physicians observed that after surgically removing the thyroid gland, a patient developed swelling of the hands, face, feet, and tissues around the eye. They named this syndrome myxedema and correctly concluded that it was the outcome of the absence of substances -- thyroid hormones -- normally produced by the thyroid gland, i.e., hypothyroidism. A number of conditions can cause this disorder, and it is usually progressive and irreversible. Treatment for hypothyroidism, however, is nearly always completely successful and allows a patient to live a fully normal life.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

exhaustion

depression

dry coarse skin

weight gain

cold and/or heat sensitivity

poor memory and brain fog

palpitations

low basal temperature

gynecological disorders

lethargy

need for sleep

skin pallor

nervousness

hearing sensitivity

skin becomes yellow

muscle pain and swollen muscles

constipation

infertility and male impotence

loss of outer third of eyebrow

slow growing and brittle nails

low libido

headaches

tinnitus or slight deafness

deepening of the voice as the vocal chords thicken

breathlessness

low pulse rate

loss of hair
...and many more.

If left undiagnosed, not only does your quality of life reduce, you are put at risk from :

high blood pressure
diabetes
emphysema
arthritis
depression
constant weight problems
migraine
carpal tunnel syndrome
death (if hypothyroidism progresses to myxedema: late stage hypothyroidism)

Test / Name	Normal Range	Interpretation
"TSH" Test -- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone / Serum thyrotropin	0.4 to 6	Under .4 can indicate possible hyperthyroidism. Over 6 is considered indicative of hypothyroidism. Note: increasing numbers of doctors are finding that a TSH of around 1 - 2 is optimal for most people to feel well and avoid having hypothyroid or hyperthyroid symptoms. There is now research out that provides some scientific basis for this, saying that values above TSH of 2 may in fact represent abnormal levels.
Total T4 / Serum thyroxine	4.5 to 12.5	Less than 4.5 can be indicative of an under functioning thyroid when TSH is also elevated. Over 12.5 can indicate hyperthyroidism. Low T4 with low TSH can sometimes indicate a pituitary problem.
Free T4 / Free Thyroxine - FT4	0.7 to 2.0	Less than 0.7 is considered indicative of possible hypothyroidism.
T3 / Serum triiodothyronine	80 to 220	Less than 80 can indicate hypothyroidism.

(Source: Web MD)

MYXEDEMA (Gr. myxa, "slime"; oidema, "swelling"), deficiency disease caused by insufficient or lack of production of hormone by the thyroid gland . Patients with myxedema complain of fatigue, lethargy, sleepiness, poor tolerance to cold, mental sluggishness, a tendency to gain weight, and generalized aches and pains. Their faces often look puffy and waxy. Their skin is dry and coarse; their hair is coarse, dry, and brittle, and it tends to fall out easily. Often patients also lose the outer portion of their eyebrows. These and other symptoms are caused by a low metabolic rate resulting from a deficiency of the thyroid hormone that stimulates metabolism. Myxedema differs from cretinism in that it develops after birth and produces less severe cerebral inadequacy. The disease may occur in several members of a single family. Any condition that decreases the elaboration of thyroid gland hormone may bring on myxedema. The disease is treated by the administration of thyroxine, other thyroid extracts, or a synthetic preparation such as levothyroxine.
(Source: Myxedema Article)