Hypothyroidism
By Nicole Newtzie
What does Hypothyroidism mean?
Hypothyroidism is when you have an under active thyroid. What that means is that your thyroid gland can't make enough of the thyroid hormones that help keep your body running normally. Hypothyroidism is a multifactorial disorder, which means it has multiple genes that have been mutated.
Who discovered it?
Hypothyroidism was discoveed by William Gull during an adress to the Clinical Society of London.
What causes Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism can be caused by a few things, like:
- Autoimune disease
- Surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid
- Radiation
- Thyroiditis
- Medicines
- Too much or too little iodine
- Damage to the pituitary gland
- Rare disorders that infiltrate the thyroid
- Enviroment
What are the symptoms?
Some of the symptoms for hypothyroidism are:
- Feel colder more easily
- Feel tired more easily
- Your skin is getting drier
- You become more forgetful or depressed
- You start getting constipated
- Hair loss
- Weight gain
What are the treatment options?
Hypothyroidism is not curable but can easily be controlled by this one treatment option:
- Thyroxine (T4) replacement - T4 is the hormone that the thyroid gland produces. To restore your body's thyroid hormone levels you can take a suppliment of T4. This will keep your body working like normal.
Can it be prevented?
Unfortunatley hypothyroidism cannot be prevented.