Hypothyroidism What we need to know

23.01.2024

Hypothyroidism is a disease caused by a deficiency of thyroid hormones. In the early stages of the disease, symptoms may not be significantly expressed. Over time, the symptoms of untreated hypothyroidism worsen and disorders of various organ systems appear.

Table of Contents

Thyroid hormone studies are used to diagnose hypothyroidism. Thyroid hormone replacement therapy ensures adequate levels of the hormone in the body and reverses symptoms caused by deficiency.

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on the severity of the disease and the degree of hormone deficiency. The condition is chronic, lasting for years.

At the beginning, the symptoms are general, such as: fatigue and weakness, weight gain. Sometimes these symptoms worsen with age and the underlying cause remains unclear. Along with further slowing down of metabolism, new problems appear:

General fatigue
Increased sensitivity to cold
Constipation
Pronounced dryness of the skin
Weight gain
Facial swelling
Changes in voice pitch (hoarseness)
Thin and coarse hair
Muscle weakness and pain
memory disorders
Depressed mood

Hypothyroidism in infants

Hypothyroidism develops at any age, including infants. Babies born with a congenital absence of the thyroid gland, or a congenital deficiency of thyroid hormones, have no symptoms at first. However, without timely diagnostics and treatment, disorders such as:

Eating disorders

growth retardation

Jaundice of the skin and sclera

Constipation

Decreased muscle tone

Dry skin

Change in voice pitch (crying in a muffled voice)

enlargement of the tongue

Umbilical hernia

Hypothyroidism in children and adolescents

Children and adolescents have almost the same symptoms of hypothyroidism as adults, although they may also have:

Growth retardation

Delay in the development of permanent teeth

Delay in puberty

Various disorders of mental development.

reasons

The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located on the front surface of the neck. It produces two important hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones affect all cells of the body, providing:

Constancy of metabolic processes of fats and carbohydrates

maintaining body temperature

regulation of heart rhythm

Regulates protein formation processes

Hypothyroidism is a condition where the gland produces insufficient amounts of the hormone. The cause of this may be various diseases of the thyroid gland:

Autoimmune thyroiditis. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is the autoimmune disease Hashimoto's thyroiditis. During autoimmune processes, immunocompetent cells perceive their own cells as foreign and begin to produce antibodies against them. This is followed by an immune inflammatory reaction in the tissue and its damage.
Surgical removal of the thyroid gland.
radiation therapy. Radiation therapy performed in the case of other tumors may cause functional failure of the gland and hypothyroidism.
thyroiditis. Inflammation of the thyroid gland develops during infectious processes and autoimmune diseases. During inflammatory diseases, there is often a simultaneous release of synthesized hormones into the blood, which gives a peak of hormone release, and this is followed by exhaustion of the gland - with suppression of hormone production or complete absence.
Medicines. Lithium drugs, which are used in psychiatric pathologies, as well as some other drugs - cause suppression of the function of the thyroid gland.

Rarely, the cause of hypothyroidism may be:

Congenital pathologies of the thyroid gland
Disruption of pituitary function
Pregnancy
Iodine deficiency

Risk factors

gender - Hypothyroidism is more common in women
Hypothyroidism family Anamnesis
autoimmune Presence of diseases, eg type 1 diabetes, celiac disease and others.
Suppressive (suppressive) conducted with a diagnostics of hyperthyroidism therapy
neck and chest irradiation (for any reason)
surgical Intervention on the thyroid gland

Complications

Complications develop in untreated cases:

gout - An increase in the size of the thyroid gland, which often causes swallowing and breathing problems.
Heart diseases - The level of low-density (atherogenic) lipoproteins in the blood increases, which in turn increases the possibility of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Peripheral neuropathy - In long-term untreated cases, peripheral nerves are damaged, which is manifested in the form of pain, numbness in the upper and lower limbs.
infertility – Thyroid hormone deficiency is one of the causes of infertility.
Congenital defects. Patients with untreated hypothyroidism have a higher risk of having a baby with birth defects and developmental abnormalities. Children born with congenital hypothyroidism are at greater risk of developing physical and mental developmental disabilities. However, timely diagnostics and treatment have a radical effect and ensure their normal development.
myxedema coma – This is a rare, life-threatening condition that develops as a result of prolonged, untreated hypothyroidism. Sedative drugs, infections, or other stressful factors may cause the condition. It is manifested by a violation of tolerance to cold and pronounced drowsiness, which is followed by suppression of consciousness. The condition requires immediate medical attention

When to see a doctor?

When hypothyroidism is suspected, it is recommended to consult a specialist at any age. After diagnosing hypothyroidism, timely treatment and regular instrumental-laboratory control of the condition are also important

Hashimoto's thyroiditis