Medical Author: Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Medically Reviewed on 11/10/2022
Doctor's Notes on Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce or Low thyroid hormone levels decrease metabolism, and increase the risk of other health issues such as heart disease and pregnancy problems. Common causes of hypothyroidism in adults include autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's thyroiditis), subacute thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland after a viral disease or after a pregnancy), previous thyroid therapy, drug-induced hypothyroidism, pituitary and hypothalamic disease, and iodine deficiency.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include
- fatigue,
- weakness,
- cold intolerance,
- muscle aches and cramps,
- constipation,
- weight gain or difficulty losing weight,
- poor appetite,
- goiter (enlarged thyroid gland),
- dry and rough skin,
- coarse hair or hair loss,
- eye and face swelling,
- deeper and/or hoarse voice,
- enlarged tongue,
- irregular or heavy menstrual periods,
- depression,
- memory loss,
- slowed thinking and mental activity, or
- increased blood cholesterol levels.
What is the treatment for hypothyroidism?
The treatment for hypothyroidism is daily use of the synthetic thyroid hormone, levothyroxine. The hormone can, with the correct dosage determined by initial blood level measurements, reverse the symptoms of the disease.
- The disease is not cured by the treatment; the person will likely require hormone (oral pills) for life with blood level checks about every 6 to 12 months.
- Patients should discuss the use of iron and calcium supplements and antacids that contain aluminum hydroxide as these and soy products may inhibit levothyroxine absorption.
Thyroid : Test Your Medical IQ Quiz
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Anatomy of the Endocrine System
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Can Hypothyroidism Be Cured?
There is no cure for hypothyroidism but it can be managed, and in most cases, proper treatment with thyroid replacement therapy can reverse signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism and patients can live a normal life span treatment for hypothyroidism includes levothyroxine (LT4) (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid, Unithyroid), liothyronine (T3) (Cytomel, Triostat), and higher doses of T4 during pregnancy. -
Can You Lose Weight with Hypothyroidism?
Weight gain is a common symptom of hypothyroidism. When hypothyroidism is treated, a small amount of weight loss, usually less than 10% of body weight, occurs and people usually return to the bodyweight they were before hypothyroidism developed. Once hypothyroidism is treated and thyroid hormone levels return to a normal range, a person’s ability to gain or lose weight is the same as in those who do not have thyroid problems. -
Can You Tell If You Have Hypothyroidism by Looking at Your Hands?
An underactive thyroid is called hypothyroidism. Some signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism include vertical white ridges on the nails, brittle nails, slow nail growth, dry skin, hair loss, and weight gain. Thyroid hormone replacement therapy is the treatment for hypothyroidism. -
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
Hashimoto's thyroiditis (also referred to as chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis) is a disease affecting the thyroid gland and thyroid hormone regulation. Symptoms of Hashimoto's disease include fatigue, feeling excessively cold, mental fogginess, constipation, dry skin, fluid retention, depression, heavy vaginal bleeding (menorrhagia), and stiff joints and muscles. Treatment for Hashimoto's disease is generally with medication. -
Myxedema Coma
The thyroid gland at the front of the neck is responsible for helping to regulate metabolism through secreting hormones. When the gland secretes too little, it can result in the rare but serious myxedema coma. IV fluids and hormone replacement are included in treatment. -
Thyroid Cancer
Find out more about thyroid cancer's symptoms, signs, diagnosis, treatment, and risk factors. The main types of thyroid cancer include papillary thyroid cancer, follicular thyroid cancer, medullary carcinoma, and anaplastic thyroid cancer. -
Thyroid FAQs
The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine (hormone) system. The thyroid gland produces two hormones, thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3). Diseases of the thyroid gland include: hyperthyroidism, subacute thyroiditis, thyroid cancer, and thyroid nodules. Thyroid medications are used to treat thyroid disorders. -
Thyroid Medications
Thyroid medications treat diseases of the thyroid, including hyperthyroidism (such as Graves' disease), hypothyroidism, thyroid disorders in pregnancy, post-partum thyroid disease, thyroid cancer, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and thyroid nodules. Thyroid medications replace thyroid hormone levels [L-thyroxine (or LT4), L-triiodothyronine (T3)] or suppress growth of thyroid tissue [propylthiouracil (PTU), methimazole], or control symptoms such as beta-blockers and iodide solutions. -
Thyroid Nodules
Thyroid nodules are lumps that are either solid or fluid-filled. Thyroid nodules may be benign or malignant (cancerous). Thyroid nodules may be caused by goiters, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, thyroid cysts, benign thyroid tumors, malignant thyroid tumors, or thyroid cancer. Treatment depends upon the type and cause of the thyroid nodule. -
Thyroid Problems
Diseases of the thyroid gland can lead to hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroid nodules, thyroid goiters, or thyroid cancer. Learn about symptoms, causes, and treatment. -
What Foods Should Be Avoided with Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is an endocrine disorder that means a person has an underactive thyroid that does not produce enough thyroid hormone. While there is no specific diet for hypothyroidism, certain foods can be avoided to help people feel better, such as soy foods, foods that contain gluten, coffee, grapefruit juice, highly processed foods, foods high in sugar, and others. -
What Happens If Hypothyroidism Is Left Untreated?
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is an endocrine disorder that occurs when a person’s body does not make enough thyroid hormone. If hypothyroidism is left untreated or not adequately treated, the disease can progress and lead to profound coma or even death.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.