Hypothyroidism – what does it mean?
Hypothyroidism doesn’t have any characteristic symptoms. There are no symptoms that people with hypothyroidism always have and many symptoms of hypothyroidism can occur in people with other diseases. One way to help figure out whether your complaints are symptoms of hypothyroidism is to think about whether you’ve always had a symptom (hypothyroidism is less likely) or whether the symptom is a change from the way you used to feel (hypothyroidism is more likely).
When thyroid hormone levels are too low, the body’s cells can’t get enough thyroid hormone and the body’s processes start slowing down. As the body slows, you may notice that you feel colder, you tire more easily, your skin is getting drier, you’re becoming forgetful and depressed, and you’ve started getting constipated. Because the symptoms are so variable, the only way to know for sure whether you have hypothyroidism is with blood tests. There can be many reasons why the cells in the thyroid gland can’t make enough thyroid hormone.
And what are the causes?
Here are the major causes in adults, from the most to the least common.
Autoimmune disease
In some people’s bodies, the immune system that protects the body from invading infections can mistake thyroid gland cells for invaders and can attack them. Then there aren’t enough thyroid cells left to make enough thyroid hormone. This is more common in women than men. Autoimmune thyroiditis can begin suddenly or it can develop slowly over years.
Removal of thyroid tissue surgically for thyroid disease, Radiation, Medicines (including amiodarone (a treatment for irregular heart beat), lithium (a treatment for depression), Interferon and interleukin. Lack of iodine and other rare conditions.
The TSH test
This is the most important and sensitive test for hypothyroidism. It measures how much of the thyroid hormone (thyroxine) the thyroid gland is being asked to make. An abnormally high TSH means hypothyroidism: the thyroid gland is being asked to make more thyroxine because there isn’t enough thyroxine in the blood.
Test results
A negative result means it is very unlikely that you have an under-active thyroid gland. However, no test is 100% effective and you should still see your doctor if you have worrying symptoms. A positive blood test indicates that treatment is very likely to be required. Full details of action to be taken will be given in the event of a positive test; normally a visit to your GP for further tests. Normally thyroid hormone is given as the treatment and the TSH levels are monitored during treatment. The TSH level should fall with successful treatment.
