What Are the Signs of Hypothyroidism?

The signs of hypothyroidism vary depending on the degree of an individual's hormone deficiency. Symptoms typically develop very slowly, often manifesting themselves over several years. Fortunately, the condition can be accurately diagnosed and effectively treated through the use of prescribed hormones. Left untreated, the condition can lead to health problems like infertility or heart disease.

Identification

• Hypothyrodisim is the name given to an underactive thyroid gland, one that does not produce enough hormones. The thyroid is a small gland located at the front of the neck, underneath the Adam's apple. The hormones produced by the thyroid effect the body's metabolism. Women are more prone to hypothyroidism, particularly women over the age of 50. If left untreated, the condition can lead to a goiter, or an enlarged thyroid, because of the body constantly stimulating the thyroid to create more hormones.

General Symptoms

• Hypothyroidism can be difficult to notice when it is in the initial stages, as symptoms are an overall feeling of fatigue or sluggishness. According to the Mayo Clinic, as the condition progresses, additional symptoms become evident. These include increased sensitivity to cold, constipation, pale skin, puffy face, hoarse voice, a raised level of blood cholesterol or sudden weight gain. Patients may also experience muscle aches, stiff or swollen joints, weak muscles, heavy menstrual periods, brittle hair and fingernails, or depression.

Children & Teens

• When babies are born with hypothyroidism, the condition may exhibit signs like frequent choking, yellowing skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice), a large and obtrusive tongue, or a puffy-looking face. Children and teens typically show the same signs of hypothyroidsm as adults, but additionally might have delayed puberty or development of adult teeth, poor growth and poor mental development.

Causes

• On their website, the Mayo Clinic states that the most common cause of hypothyroidism is autoimmune disease. With an autoimmune disease, the body creates antibodies that attack its own tissues. Additional causes include medications, such as those used to treat over-active thyroids (hyperthyroidism) or psychiatric disorders. Radiation therapy and thyroid surgery can also lead to hypothyroidism. Although rare, hypothyroidism is sometimes a result of pituitary disorder, pregnancy, congenital disease, or an iodine deficiency.

Diagnosis & Treatment

• Doctors diagnose hypothyroidism through careful analysis of symptoms and the results of blood tests. These tests measure the level of certain hormones in the body, particularly thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone. Doctors usually prescribe an artificial hormone called levothyroxine, which is taken orally to repair the body's hormone levels. There are essentially no side effects to levothyroxine, but it must be taken regularly or the symptoms of hypothyroidism will return.

Warnings

• A rare, potentially life-threatening form of advanced hypothyroidism called myxedema can develop out of hypothyroidism. Symptoms are low blood pressure, decreased breathing and body temperature, or coma.