How to Tell If You Have an Inactive Thyroid

The thyroid, a small gland in the neck, regulates the hormones in the body that have an effect on metabolism, weight gain/loss, moods, hair growth, body temperature and more. When the thyroid stops working or becomes sluggish, it is called hypothyroid. There are symptoms to look out for which often point to thyroid disorder and the disease may be quickly determined with a simple blood test.

Things You'll Need

• Thyroid hormone replacement therapy

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Instructions

• 1

  Measure symptoms you are experiencing against the ones commonly associated with an inactive thyroid: weight gain, hair loss, feeling cold (even in warm climates/temperatures), feeling depressed or moody, extreme fatigue, changes in sleeping pattern and constipation.

• 2

  Visit your doctor or an endocrinologist to have your blood tested. Thyroid levels are quickly determined by checking two hormones in the body - T4 (the main thyroid hormone) and TSH (the thyroid stimulating hormone). An inactive thyroid will have very low levels of T4 and high levels of TSH. Your doctor will inform you of your thyroid's functioning and plot a course of action.

• 3

  Discuss a thyroid hormone replacement therapy with your doctor. The medication, in the form of a daily pill, works with the body to mimic the inactive thyroid's functioning. The inactive thyroid cannot repair itself or "get better." So, patients who suffer from inactive thyroid require medication for the rest of their lives. Luckily, the medication has no side effects, though it must be taken as prescribed (often on an empty stomach). Your doctor will recommend the best form of medication and monitor you over time (usually every six months) to retest your blood and see whether your thyroid levels have returned to regular functioning.