Head to Toe
Thyroid Health
- Thyroid Problems
- Fatigued or Full Throttle: Is Your Thyroid to Blame?
- What's Causing My Low Thyroid Level?
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- Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
- Hypothyroidism and Depression
- How Hypothyroidism Is Treated
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- Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism- When you have hypothyroidism, you might not realize it at first. The symptoms come on slowly, and some of them, like fatigue, are similar to other conditions. You might mistake them for signs of ageing or stress.You're getting symptoms because your thyroid gland stopped working right. It isn’t making enough thyroid hormone, which helps run many of your body's systems. Your doctor can prescribe medicine that boosts your levels and gets you back to feeling like your old self.
When Your Thyroid Levels Are Low
Hypothyroidism can make you feel tired and sensitive to cold. You also might gain a few pounds.Low thyroid levels can also affect your mood and thinking. For example, you might have:- Depression
- Memory problems
- Trouble thinking clearly
You may have pain, stiffness, or swelling in your muscles and joints. Your symptoms might also include swelling of your face, around your eyes, or in your tongue.A hoarse voice, slow speech, and hearing problems are also symptoms. So is constipation. Women may also have heavy menstrual bleeding.
Changes in your skin can also happen. It can become:- Cool and pale
- Dry and itchy
- Rough or scaly
- Yellow-looking, especially on the soles of your feet, palms, and the "laugh lines" of your face
Your nails may turn brittle or grow slowly. Your hair might also change. It could become brittle or course, or you could have some hair loss. Sometimes you can get thinning or loss of eyebrow hair, especially on the outer third of your brows.Because hypothyroidism can weaken your heart and lungs, you might also notice:- A slow heart rate
- Shortness of breath during exercise
- Weakness
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol levels
Hypothyroidism in Children and Teens
Although the condition usually affects adults, it can also happen to children and teens. They have the same symptoms as grown-ups, but because thyroid hormones control growth, they frequently stop growing as expected. They may also have a delay in reaching puberty. Adolescent girls might have heavy menstrual periods.Kids with hypothyroidism may also have problems with schoolwork. They may start to do poorly due to memory problems and fatigue.- Hypothyroidism and Depression
- Hypothyroidism and Depression
Although they're separate diseases, depression is sometimes a symptom of hypothyroidism. That’s when your thyroid gland doesn't make enough of the thyroid hormone. Medication to boost those levels can get rid of your symptoms, including depression.The two conditions share so many symptoms that doctors sometimes overlook the possibility that someone who is depressed may also have low thyroid levels.If you have hypothyroidism, you may have fatigue, sluggishness, and trouble concentrating, and you may sleep too much. All of that may cause you to feel depressed.At the same time, you could also have:
- Slower heart rate
- Sensitivity to cold
- Joint or muscle pain or cramps
- Tingling in your hands and fingers
- Vague aches and pains
- Modest weight gain
- Constipation
- Dryness or yellowing of your skin
- Brittle or thick nails
- Hoarse voice
- Swelling in front of your neck
- Hair thinning or loss
Linking Hypothyroidism With Depression
To help doctors figure out if your depression is due to hypothyroidism, you need to be tested for thyroid disorders. Blood tests can confirm them by showing a low level of a thyroid hormone called thyroxine and a high level of one called thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).Studies show that if you have both hypothyroidism and depression, things may improve with thyroid-replacement medications rather than relying on antidepressants. They increase levels of two major thyroid hormones: triiodothyronine (also called T3) and thyroxine (T4). When thyroid pills lower TSH levels to the normal range, depression often eases.Getting Help
If you're feeling depressed, see your doctor. Because both hypothyroidism and depression can be treated, a proper diagnosis is a major first step toward feeling more like yourself.- How Hypothyroidism Is Treated
- Treating Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is easy to treat with medicine that boosts your low levels of thyroid hormone. It's not a cure, but it can keep your condition under control for the rest of your life.The main treatment is levothyroxine (Euthyrox, Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Unithroid), a man-made version of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4). It acts just like the hormone your thyroid gland normally makes. With the right dose, you can improve or get rid of symptoms like weight gain, fatigue, and depressed mood caused by an underactive thyroid gland.Starting on Thyroid Hormone Treatment
Your doctor will decide how much thyroid hormone to give you based on your:- Age
- Health
- Thyroid hormone levels
- Weight
If you're older or you have heart disease, you may start on a small dose. Then your doctor will slowly raise the amount over time until you see an effect.About 6 weeks after you start taking the medicine, you'll go back to your doctor for a blood test to check your thyroid hormone levels. The dose may need to be raised or lowered based on the results. Once they’re stable, you'll see your doctor for a blood test every 6 months to a year.
How to Take Your Medicine
To make sure your hypothyroidism stays under control:
Stick with the same brand. Different types of thyroid hormone medicine may contain slightly different doses, which could affect your hormone levels.
Follow a schedule. Take it at the same time each day. Shoot for about an hour before a meal or at bedtime. Don't take it when you eat, because food can affect the way your body uses it.
Don't skip doses. If you miss one, take it as soon as you remember. You can take two pills in one day if you need to.
Follow instructions carefully. Don't stop taking your medicine without first checking with your doctor.
When Your Symptoms Don't Go Away
You should start to feel better a few days after you begin taking medication. But it may take a few months for your thyroid hormone levels to get back to normal.
If it raises your levels but you still have symptoms like fatigue and weight gain, your doctor may need to change your treatment. She may prescribe something that contains both T4 and a more active form of thyroid hormone called T3, sold as desiccated thyroid extract (Armour Thyroid, Thyrar) or liotrix (Thyrolar). However, T3 treatment is not common.
Side Effects
The main risk of thyroid medicine is if you take too much of it, you can get symptoms of an overactive thyroid, like:
- Fast heartbeat
- Sensitivity to heat
- Hunger
- Nervousness and anxiety
- Shakiness
- Sweating
- Thin skin and brittle hair
- Tiredness
- Trouble sleeping
- Weight loss
If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor for a blood test. You may need a lower dose of thyroid medicine.
Drugs That Interact With Thyroid Medicine
Some medicines can affect the way your thyroid drug works, including:
- Anti-seizure medicines like carbamazepine (Tegretol) and phenytoin sodium (Dilantin)
- Birth control pills and estrogen
- Cancer drugs called tyrosine kinase inhibitors
- Medicines for depression, like sertraline (Zoloft)
- Testosterone
If you take one of these medicines, ask your doctor whether you need to change your dose of thyroid medicine.
Stick With Treatment
You'll need to keep taking thyroid medicine throughout your life to control your hormone levels. Keep up with your treatment, and you'll see results. You'll feel better, and your levels won't drop again.
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