Hypothyroidism Severe Nervous System Symptoms

Approximately 11 million Americans suffer from hypothyroidism, according to the American Medical Women's Association. Hypothyroidism occurs when your body does not produce enough of necessary thyroidism, causing a number of side effects.

Causes

• Thyroid hormones perform a number of important roles in normal bodily processes, such as regulating body temperature and functioning of the nervous system. When levels of the hormones are inadequate, disruptions occur, producing symptoms.

Time Frame

• Severe nervous system symptoms from hypothyroidism are unlikely to develop overnight. Normally, minor symptoms like fatigue occur first, with more serious signs occurring after years of inadequate thyroid hormone production, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Types of Symptoms

• Severe nervous system symptoms of hypothyroidism include memory loss, hearing loss, a reduction of the brain activity that allows you to move your muscles, nerve compression that causes reduced sensation, peripheral nerve damage, cold intolerance, extreme lack of coordination, dementia, convulsions and coma.

Risks

• If allowed to progress, hypothyroidism can lead to myxedema, a severe form of the disease, where your brain is unable to control crucial processes like breathing. In some cases, myxedema is fatal, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Treatment

• Nervous system symptoms of hypothyroidism are treated with medications that mimic natural thyroid hormones.