hypothyroidism Flashcards
description of disease
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of certain crucial hormones. (thyroxine)
Hypothyroidism may not cause noticeable symptoms in the early stages. Over time, untreated hypothyroidism can cause a number of health problems, such as obesity, joint pain, infertility, and heart disease.
symptoms of disease
- Fatigue
- Increased sensitivity to cold
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Weight gain
- Puffy face
- Hoarseness
- Muscle weakness
- Elevated blood cholesterol level
- Muscle aches, tenderness, and stiffness
- Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints
are signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism noticeable at first
At first, you may barely notice the symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as fatigue and weight gain. Or you may simply attribute them to getting older. But as your metabolism continues to slow, you may develop more-obvious problems.
modern treatment
An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) is usually treated by taking daily hormone replacement tablets called levothyroxine.
traditional treatments
how does levothyroxine work
Levothyroxine replaces the thyroxine hormone, which your thyroid does not make enough of.
You’ll likely start to feel better soon after you start treatment. The medication gradually lowers cholesterol levels elevated by the disease and may reverse any weight gain. Treatment with levothyroxine will likely be lifelong, but because the dosage you need may change, your doctor is likely to check your TSH level every year.
what does low levels of selenium cause
may be associated with thyroid diseases, including hypothyroidism. Therefore, maintaining adequate levels of selenium may help reduce the risk of thyroid problems. Food containing Selenium are:
* Tuna
* Turkey
* Brazil nuts
* Grass feed beef
what makes the treatment user friendly
You will take levothyroxine NIH external link, a thyroid hormone medicine identical to a hormone a healthy thyroid makes. This means that if the treatment is exactly the same hormone as what is released into your body naturally it makes it much easier for the body to process it. This treatment will therefore be much more user friendly, and the consumer is less likely to have reaction to the medication compared to if there had something completely new to the body. This hormone the body already know how to be processed throughout the body.
risks of the treatment
Excessive amounts of the hormone can cause side effects, such as:
* Increased appetite
* Insomnia
* Heart palpitations
* Shakiness
Ethical concerns related to the treatments
what is Hashimoto’s disease
it is a disease that attacks the thyroid gland
what is the definition of hypothyroidism?
underactivity of the thyroid gland resulting in low levels of thyroid hormones in the blood
how can you get hypothyroidism
hypothyroidism can be caused by a severe deficiency of iodine
an attack on the thyroid gland by the patient’s immune system, known as Hashimoto’s disease
through surgery for cancer of the thyroid that involves the removal of all or a large part of the gland
what are some natural treatments for hypothyroidism
Remove all potential food allergens from your diet.
Supplements like iodine, probiotics, and curcumin can do wonders for your thyroid.
Reduce daily stress.
Get enough sleep.
