If you keep your hypothyroidism well-controlled, it will not shorten your life span. Here are the major causes, from the most to the least common. But in almost every patient, hypothyroidism can be completely controlled. It is treated by replacing the amount of hormone that your own thyroid can no longer make, to bring your T4 and TSH levels back to normal levels.
Synthetic thyroxine pills contain hormone exactly like the T4 that the thyroid gland itself makes. All hypothyroid patients except those with severe myxedema life-threatening hypothyroidism can be treated as outpatients, not having to be admitted to the hospital.
The only dangers of thyroxine are caused by taking too little or too much. If you take too little, your hypothyroidism will continue. The most common symptoms of too much thyroid hormone are fatigue but inability to sleep, greater appetite, nervousness, shakiness, feeling hot when other people are cold, and trouble exercising because of weak muscles, shortness of breath , and a racing, skipping heart. Patients who have hyperthyroid symptoms at any time during thyroxine replacement therapy should have their TSH tested.
If it is low, indicating too much thyroid hormone, their dose needs to be lowered. The goal of treatment is to get and keep your TSH in the normal range. Babies with hypothyroidism must get all their daily treatments and have their TSH levels checked as they grow, to prevent mental retardation and stunted growth. Hypothyroidism Brochure PDF. El folleto de Hipotiroidismo. For information on thyroid patient support organizations, please visit the Patient Support Links section on the ATA website at www.
Hypothyroidism Underactive. Hypothyroidism FAQS. Autoimmune disease. This is more common in women than men. Autoimmune thyroiditis can begin suddenly or it can develop slowly over years.
Surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid gland. If the whole thyroid is removed, people will definitely become hypothyroid. If part of the gland is left, it may be able to make enough thyroid hormone to keep blood levels normal. Radiation treatment. All these patients can lose part or all of their thyroid function. Congenital hypothyroidism hypothyroidism that a baby is born with. Frequently, a primary care doctor can manage this condition.
One of the most common questions I get from the public and even sometimes other physicians is, when should a patient be referred to an endocrinologist for hypothyroidism? Your primary care doctor should be able to help you monitor your condition most of the time. However, there may be situations when you need the care of a thyroid specialist. Even within the community of endocrinologists there are doctors that obtain additional training in the study of the thyroid.
We often refer to ourselves as thyroidologists. Thyroidologists are endocrinologists who specifically study, diagnose, manage and treat the thyroid gland. In this setting, after a few visits you may not need to keep seeing an endocrinologist regularly and your primary care doctor may resume the care of your condition. You have an enlarged thyroid gland, or goiter: A goiter is an enlargement of part or all of your thyroid gland. If you have one, it is a good idea to see an endocrinologist to help you figure out why it has developed and what if anything needs to be done about it.
Sometimes the entire thyroid gland is enlarged and there are no masses or tumors. This is referred to as a simple goiter. If you have a thyroid nodule: Sometimes a goiter contains thyroid nodules. If you have a nodule, or other growth on your thyroid, an endocrinologist should evaluate it. Also, sometimes a thyroid nodule may be found on a radiology scan or by your thyroidologist if they do their own ultrasounds. More about thyroid ultrasounds in the next article.
Low-dose naltrexone has virtually no side effects other than occasional headaches and trouble falling asleep, both of which are rare. Stress—especially chronic stress—is often a trigger for thyroid dysfunction.
Stress can also cause flare-ups in symptoms if you already have hypothyroidism. It's so, so important to manage your stress. Do some kind of self-care every day: meditation, aromatherapy, massage, an Epsom salt bath with essential oils, a walk in nature, reading a good book, or anything else that brings you joy and keeps you grounded. Make time to relax, even if you have to write it in your schedule and treat it like a meeting.
And if you're having trouble making time every day, start with once or twice a week and gradually work your way up. Acupuncture is another way to potentially help balance your thyroid hormones. Recent research published in Journal of Integrative Medicine found that people with thyroid dysfunction saw significant improvements in their thyroid hormone markers after doing acupuncture regularly.
And as a bonus, acupuncture is a wonderful way to relax. It can relieve muscle tension and anxiety , both of which are common in hypothyroidism. If you have or think you have hypothyroidism, your first priority should be working with a health care professional.
I recommend finding a good integrative physician or functional medicine doctor. Hypothyroidism is serious, and you shouldn't try to treat it alone. The above tools are all excellent ways to support your thyroid naturally and keep it running the way it should. Give them a try; you may be surprised by how good you feel. Our FREE doctor-approved gut health guide. You are now subscribed Be on the lookout for a welcome email in your inbox!
Main Navigation. Log in Profile. Saved Articles. Contact Support. Log Out. Your cart is empty. Our online classes and training programs allow you to learn from experts from anywhere in the world. Explore Classes. Integrative Medicine Doctor. Last updated on October 29,
0コメント