Hypothyroidism Symptoms & Treatment

Your thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located just below your Adam's apple, and is responsible for making the hormones that control metabolism. When this gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone, you have hypothyroidism. If left untreated, this can cause obesity, infertility and heart disease.

Cause

• The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease that occurs when your immune system interferes with the normal production of thyroid hormones.

Symptoms

• Symptoms will vary depending upon the severity of and length of time the thyroid deficiency has been occurring, but will usually consist of fatigue, abnormal menstrual cycles and cold intolerance.

Complications

• Untreated hypothyroidism can lead to other health problems, such as goiter, heart problems and birth defects.

Diagnosis

• Your doctor will order a blood test if he or she suspects hypothyroidism, in which your thyroid and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels will be measured.

Treatments

• To treat hypothyroidism, a thyroid hormone supplement must be taken every day to regulate your hormone levels and metabolism. This supplement is available in both synthetic and natural forms, with the natural alternative created from dessicated porcine gland.