Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism means that the thyroid gland doesn't make enough thyroid hormone. This hormone controls the way your body uses energy. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck.

Having a low level of thyroid hormone affects your whole body. It can make you feel tired and weak. If it isn't treated, it can raise your cholesterol levels. During pregnancy, untreated hypothyroidism can harm your baby. But low thyroid levels can be treated with medicine that can help you feel like yourself again.

People of any age can get hypothyroidism, but older adults are more likely to get it. Women age 60 and older have the highest risk. You are more likely to get the disease if it runs in your family.

Low thyroid levels can cause many different symptoms, including:

• Feeling tired, weak, or depressed.
• Dry skin and brittle nails.
• Not being able to stand the cold.
• Constipation.
• Memory problems or trouble thinking clearly.
• Heavy or irregular menstrual periods.

Symptoms occur slowly over time. At first you might not notice them, or you might mistake them for normal aging.

Symptoms in infants, children, teens, and pregnant women

Although rare, hypothyroidism can occur in infants, children, and teens. In infants, symptoms include a poor appetite and choking on food. Symptoms may also include dry, scaly skin. In children and teens, symptoms include behavior problems and changes in school performance. Children and teens may gain weight but have a slowed growth rate. Teens may have delayed puberty and look much younger than their age.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism during and after pregnancy include fatigue, weight loss, dizziness, depression, and memory and concentration problems.

To diagnose hypothyroidism, your doctor will first ask you about your past health problems and do a physical exam. If your doctor thinks you have the condition, a simple blood test can show if your thyroid hormone level is too low. The blood tests used most often are:

• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test.
• Thyroxine (T4) measurement.

If the results of the above tests aren't normal, you may have antithyroid antibody tests. These tests can tell if you have the autoimmune disease Hashimoto's thyroiditis. When you have this disease, your body's defense system attacks the thyroid gland.

Because hypothyroidism may cause problems with thinking and learning, every state in the U.S. tests newborns for the condition. If your baby wasn't born in a hospital or if you think your baby may not have been tested, talk to your doctor.

Your doctor will treat your low thyroid level with the thyroid pills levothyroxine. Most people start to feel better in a week or two. Your symptoms will probably go away within a few months. But you will likely need to keep taking the pills from now on.

It's important to take your medicine just the way your doctor tells you to. You will also need to see your doctor for follow-up visits to make sure you have the right dose. If you have mild hypothyroidism, you may not need treatment now. But you'll want to watch for signs that it's getting worse. If you have severe hypothyroidism by the time you are diagnosed, you will need treatment right away.

If you get hypothyroidism during pregnancy, treatment should be started right away. Low thyroid levels can harm the developing baby.

• Have your child take his or her thyroid hormone medicine at the same time every day. Most doctors suggest taking it 30 minutes before breakfast. Your child should not take it with vitamins or calcium or iron pills.
• Have your child see his or her doctor at least 1 or 2 times a year. Your child will need regular blood tests. These tests make sure that he or she is getting the right amount of thyroid hormone.
• Make sure your child eats a healthy diet with plenty of calcium. Foods that are rich in calcium include milk, yogurt, cheese, and dark green vegetables.