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Help With an Underactive Thyroid

Hypothyroidism is a thyroid condition caused by your body producing a low amount of hormones, which leads to cells throughout your body to slow down. The symptoms of this disease include fatigue, depression, weight gain and dry skin. According to the Harvard Medical School Guide, hypothyroidism can put you at risk for developing high cholesterol, high blood pressure and heart disease. In extreme cases hypothyroidism can develop into myxedema, which happens when the body slows down and starts to shut down. The best way to treat this condition is to take prescribed medication on a daily basis.

  1. Medication

    • Thyroid replacement therapy can improve your hormone balance. According to the Harvard Medical School Guide, levothyroxine sodium, a synthetic thyroxine, is administered in pill form and should be taken once a day. The synthetic thyroxine restores your hormone levels and requires no further treatment. Since the medication is providing hormones that are already found in your body, it means there is little chance of developing side effects from the medication. If your hypothyroidism is permanent you will need to continue taking the medication for the rest of your life.

    Temporary Flare-ups

    • Temporary hypothyroidism can occur if you are on a certain medications such as amiodarone, lithium, interferon or interleukin. According to the Harvard Medical School Guide, these medications can trigger hypothyroidism, and symptoms should subside shortly after discontinued use. Temporary hypothyroidism can also occur if you suffer from thyroiditis, an inflammation of the thyroid gland that happens when your immune system is attacked by a virus or bacteria. This is considered a short-lived illness as it usually goes away once your body builds up enough antibodies to fight off the virus.

    Harmful Foods

    • What you're eating may be interfering with your body's ability to properly absorb iodine, an essential element necessary for producing thyroxine. Foods that are harmful to you are called goitrogens because they inhibit iodine absorption, according to the Harvard Medical School Guide. Lima beans, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and sweet potatoes are part of the goitrogen family, and if consumed in high amounts they pose a risk. If you take iron and calcium supplements, or use antacids on a daily basis you may be at risk for developing hypothyroidism.

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