Hypothyroidism: symptoms, causes, treatment

Hypothyroidism, the symptoms, treatment and causes of which will be discussed in this article, is directly related to the worsening of the thyroid gland. It develops and manifests itself, as a rule, because of a shortage of thyroid hormones. About two percent of the world's population suffers from this disease. Most often, this ailment occurs in older women. It can be primary and secondary. Primary acquired hypothyroidism is most common.

Hypothyroidism: the main causes of its appearance

Hypothyroidism, the symptoms and treatment of which is considered here, may appear for the following reasons:

- lack of iodine in the body. This explains why he most often tortures people of advanced age, whose body is not able to properly digest iodine;

- problems with the thyroid gland. Problems with it can be different: this is the acquired pathology and something innate. Very often the cause of all the misfortunes can be its ordinary underdevelopment. All of the above, affects the productivity of her work, and therefore, on how much she produces hormones. Problems with it must be addressed immediately, as the matter may end with unpleasant consequences for the whole organism;

- for reasons you can safely and include the inherent inability of tissues to perceive the hormones of the thyroid gland. The bottom line is that the thyroid gland produces enough hormone, but the body can not absorb them;

- Hypothyroidism can be caused by damage to brain structures or itself: the thyroid gland starts to work worse, since the "main control organ" has lost control over it. This can happen after any injury or after a person has suffered an infectious disease of the brain.

Hypothyroidism: Symptoms and Diagnosis

Patients who have symptoms of hypothyroidism, to confirm or deny the presence of this disease hand over urine and blood for tests. Their essence is that doctors, in order to make a decision, should determine the level of concentration of thyroid hormones. Also, a magnetic resonance or ultrasound scan of the thyroid gland can be performed to help detect the presence of a tumor, as well as any other reasons why a person has hypothyroidism. Symptoms are the following:

- a person is in a depressed state and feels completely broken;

- memory gradually worsens, and thought processes slow down;

- a person can strongly add weight;

- the body temperature goes down, which means that the patients are always cold;

- hair loss is possible;

- Constipation;

-strong bloating and flatulence;

- the skin becomes dry.

Hypothyroidism, the symptoms of which we are considering, can also be determined by the appearance of hoarseness in the voice, cyanotic lips and nausea. In case the disease really developed, adults can observe swelling of all tissues, as well as organs.

Not detected in time hypothyroidism in children can cause dementia and even cretinism.

By the way, it is worth noting subclinical hypothyroidism, the symptoms of which are the same as in the usual, but appear slower and detect them much more difficult.

What should be the treatment

First of all, in the treatment they try to eliminate the thyroid deficiency, and then they struggle with its consequences. Very often doctors prescribe the reception of synthetic analogues of the desired hormone. Some people will have to take them throughout life. Vitamins, diets and preparations are also prescribed, which can have a beneficial effect on metabolism. The duration of treatment largely depends on how much the disease is started.