Is Hypothyroidism Slowing You Down?

The thyroid: A small gland with a big job

Feeling particularly fatigued, sluggish, and out of focus lately? Have you noticed that you’re putting on weight, even though your diet hasn’t really changed? Experiencing depression or other mental health problems? Rather than blaming garden-variety stress and strain as the likely culprits, you may need to check in with an endocrinologist -- an under-functioning thyroid could be causing these symptoms.

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped endocrine gland that sits behind the diaphragm, in the lower area of the neck sometimes referred to as the “Adam’s apple.” Typically, the normal thyroid measures about two inches in length. But despite its diminutive size, thyroid dysfunction can result in serious health problems.

The thyroid is a key part of the endocrine system, which creates, distributes, and regulates hormones in the body. Because hormones play such a central role in the body’s ability to function properly and maintain optimal health, even minute changes in the working capacity of one of the endocrine glands can set off a chain of deficiencies, malfunctions, and adverse conditions that reverberate through the entire body.

What is hypothyroidism?

Like the other glands in the endocrine system, the thyroid generates chemical compounds known as hormones, including triiodothyronine and thyroxine, both of which help regulate the body’s metabolism. A person whose thyroid is not producing enough hormones to maintain stability in the metabolism is said to be suffering from hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid’s secretion of triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and other hormones is inadequate. Because these chemicals’ job is to stabilize the metabolism, insufficient hormonal levels can actually cause the metabolism -- and a wide array of bodily processes -- to gradually slow down.

It is believed that nearly 10 million Americans suffer from varying degrees of hypothyroidism, the majority of them being women. Furthermore, many of those afflicted with hypothyroidism may be unaware of their disorder. Called “the great mimicker” by many physicians, hypothyroidism is difficult to diagnose, and its symptoms are often misinterpreted as signs of other illnesses and diseases. 

Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism

One of the reasons why hypothyroidism often evades diagnosis is because the symptoms associated with the condition are so wide-ranging. To further complicate the issue, the exact nature and severity of the presenting symptoms often vary from patient to patient.

Because hypothyroidism causes the metabolism to slow down, many of the symptoms associated with the condition result from a gradual decline in the rate of common bodily functions. The hallmark symptoms of hypothyroidism include:  memory impairment, weight gain, general fatigue and malaise, a feeling of mental fuzziness or “brain fog,” diminished sex drive, increased sensitivity to cold, migraine headaches, slowed reflexes, skin dryness and puffiness, constipation, depression, anxiety, irritability, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, slowed speech, vocal hoarseness, abnormal menstrual cycles, and reproductive difficulties such as infertility.

Individuals with low thyroid functioning may present with any combination of these symptoms, depending on the exact nature and extent of their hormonal deficiency. In mild cases, few detectable symptoms may be present, making a timely and correct diagnosis unlikely.  

Causes and risk factors for hypothyroidism

The endocrine system is complex and delicately calibrated, and even minor or gradual bodily changes over time can cause dysfunctions. Doctors often have difficulty discerning the precise cause of hypothyroidism in some patients because the onset of the condition may occur gradually over an extended period of time.

The most common cause of hypothyroidism is actually a disease known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. This disease prompts the body’s immune system to fight the thyroid gland, as it would do if it were rejecting an intruding foreign body or an invading virus. Other immune disorders and inflammatory disorders can also impede proper thyroid function.

Genetic causes and birth defects are also cited as the cause of some cases of hypothyroidism. Insufficient pituitary gland functioning can also instigate hypothyroidism. Irradiation of the neck area has also been known to produce hypothyroidism-like symptoms, as has surgical removal of the thyroid gland.

According to epidemiological studies of diagnosed cases of hypothyroidism, the chief risk factor for the condition is female gender. Other factors that may increase an individual’s risk for hypothyroidism include obesity, an age of 50+, past thyroid problems and/or thyroid surgery, and a past history of neck irradiation, through either x-rays or radiation therapy.

Treatment and prognosis for hypothyroidism

Although there is no known cure for hypothyroidism, the condition responds very well to existing treatments. Patients who adhere to the prescribed course of medication often report no discernable symptoms and no significant diminishment in their sense of health, well-being, and quality of life. However, consistency is important in maintaining a stable metabolism -- hypothyroidism patients who discontinue their thyroid medication against doctors’ orders often experience wide fluctuations in thyroid function that can have negative long-term health effects.

In many cases, fatigue, depression, weight gain, and impaired cognitive function are simply the unfortunate results of the hectic modern lifestyle. However, these symptoms could also be a sign of hypothyroidism or another related health problem. If you’ve experienced any of these problems, check with your doctor about the possibility of a thyroid screening.

To learn more

• http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic1145.htm
• http://www.endocrineweb.com/hypo1.html
• http://www.webmd.com/hw/thyroid_disorders/hw145669.asp