Hypothyroidism is a medical condition that results in the thyroid not creating and releasing enough thyroid hormone into your bloodstream. As a result, your metabolism may slow down. Hypothyroidism is also known as an underactive thyroid disorder. It can cause weight gain, make you feel exhausted, and make you feel unable to tolerate cold temps. Hypothyroid treatment Denver-based and other locations may include hormone replacement therapy.

Causes & Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism can be caused by something primary or secondary. A primary cause is a medical condition that affects the thyroid directly, causing it to create small levels of thyroid hormones. Secondary causes are things that can cause the pituitary gland to shut down. This means that it cannot send TSH to the thyroid to balance out the hormones.

Primary causes are much more common. The most common primary cause is Hashimoto’s disease, which is an autoimmune disorder. With Hashimoto’s disease, the immune system in a person’s body will attack and cause damage to the thyroid.

Other primary causes include:

• Iodine deficiency
• Hereditary conditions
• Hyperthyroidism treatments such as radiation
• Thyroiditis

Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

• Fatigue
• Experiencing tingling and numbness in the hands
• Constipation
• Weight gain
• Muscle weakness and soreness
• Depression
• High cholesterol levels
• Not able to tolerate cold temperatures
• Having coarse, dry hair and skin
• A decrease in sexual interest
• Frequent and heavy menstrual periods
• Drooping eyelids and puffiness in the face and eyes
• Hoarser voice
• Brain fog

Diagnosis & Treatment

It is not easy to diagnose hypothyroidism since the symptoms can be confused with other medical conditions. If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should talk to your doctor about them. The most common way to diagnose hypothyroidism is through a blood test known as TSH. Your doctor may also order additional blood tests to screen you for Hashimoto’s disease. If you have an enlarged thyroid, your doctor may be able to feel it via a physical exam.

Treatment for hypothyroidism involves replacing the amount of hormone that is not being made any longer by your thyroid. This is normally done by taking medication such as Levothyroxine. When it is taken orally, it increases the amount of thyroid hormone that is present in your body. In other words, it will even increase your hormone levels.

Hypothyroidism is not a difficult condition to manage. However, you will need to make sure that you take your medication consistently to help balance the number of hormones in your body for the remainder of your life. If you manage your condition carefully, attend your follow-up appointments, you can still live a healthy and normal life.

Unfortunately, hypothyroidism cannot be prevented. The best way to prevent developing a serious form of this condition is to watch out for the signs of hypothyroidism. If you happen to experience any of the above symptoms, the best thing you can do is schedule an appointment with your doctor. If you can catch it early, you can start treatment right away.