Understanding the Symptoms and Causes For Hypothyroidism (Low Thyroid Levels)
Millions of people suffer from some form of thyroid disease.
The vast majority, which accounts for about 80 percent of the United States population, have an under active thyroid (also known as hypothyroidism.
Several factors can cause the thyroid to reduce its production of thyroid hormone.
One very common cause of low thyroid levels is an autoimmune disorder called Hasimoto's thyroiditis, in which the body launches an internal attack on its own healthy thyroid issues, destroying the gland's ability to produce thyroid hormone.
In some cases, low thyroid levels may be linked to other medical conditions or caused by a medication.
For example, people who have been treated with RAI to treat hyperthyroidism often develop hypothyroidism.
Those who consume medications such as lithium, prednisone and propranolol are also vulnerable to this condition.
In addition, anyone who has undergone thyroid surgery is also likely to develop an underactive thyroid.
Regardless of what triggers an underactive thyroid, the end result is the same : hypothyroidism causes all your body functions to slow down.
This total-body slowdown produces signs and symptoms that will eventually become apparent.
Some of the hypothyroidism symptoms include unexplained weight gain, heart malfunction, depression, dryness or irregular menstruation especially for the females.
For many people, the most disturbing symptom of having low thyroid levels is weight gain.
If you have been trying to lose weight, this may result in a futile attempt regardless of how little you intake or how much exercise you do.
Surprisingly, your efforts to eat less may be met with an increase in your weight.
However, the weight gain is due to the swelling of tissues and not the accumulation of fats.
In addition, hypothyroidism causes your pulse to slow as your heart rate decreases.
You may notice your heart weakening or an increase in blood pressure.
As a result of this slowdown in activity, your heart is forced to work harder to get oxygen and nutrients throughout your body.
This can unfortunately put you at risk for heart failure which is a life-threatening condition.
To add salt to the wound, having low thyroid levels can even cause your skin to become pale and dry, to the extent of cracking.
Some people may notice that their hair has turned brittle and are losing more hair than usual.
At the same time, fingernails may become dry and develop grooves that cause the surface to become uneven.
Women who have hypothyroidism may notice that their periods have become heavier and more frequent.
To make it worse, some females may stop ovulating and experience difficulty in conceiving.
Retaining a pregnancy is also a disturbing issue as research has shown that 6 out of every 100 miscarriages are the result of low thyroid levels.
The vast majority, which accounts for about 80 percent of the United States population, have an under active thyroid (also known as hypothyroidism.
Several factors can cause the thyroid to reduce its production of thyroid hormone.
One very common cause of low thyroid levels is an autoimmune disorder called Hasimoto's thyroiditis, in which the body launches an internal attack on its own healthy thyroid issues, destroying the gland's ability to produce thyroid hormone.
In some cases, low thyroid levels may be linked to other medical conditions or caused by a medication.
For example, people who have been treated with RAI to treat hyperthyroidism often develop hypothyroidism.
Those who consume medications such as lithium, prednisone and propranolol are also vulnerable to this condition.
In addition, anyone who has undergone thyroid surgery is also likely to develop an underactive thyroid.
Regardless of what triggers an underactive thyroid, the end result is the same : hypothyroidism causes all your body functions to slow down.
This total-body slowdown produces signs and symptoms that will eventually become apparent.
Some of the hypothyroidism symptoms include unexplained weight gain, heart malfunction, depression, dryness or irregular menstruation especially for the females.
For many people, the most disturbing symptom of having low thyroid levels is weight gain.
If you have been trying to lose weight, this may result in a futile attempt regardless of how little you intake or how much exercise you do.
Surprisingly, your efforts to eat less may be met with an increase in your weight.
However, the weight gain is due to the swelling of tissues and not the accumulation of fats.
In addition, hypothyroidism causes your pulse to slow as your heart rate decreases.
You may notice your heart weakening or an increase in blood pressure.
As a result of this slowdown in activity, your heart is forced to work harder to get oxygen and nutrients throughout your body.
This can unfortunately put you at risk for heart failure which is a life-threatening condition.
To add salt to the wound, having low thyroid levels can even cause your skin to become pale and dry, to the extent of cracking.
Some people may notice that their hair has turned brittle and are losing more hair than usual.
At the same time, fingernails may become dry and develop grooves that cause the surface to become uneven.
Women who have hypothyroidism may notice that their periods have become heavier and more frequent.
To make it worse, some females may stop ovulating and experience difficulty in conceiving.
Retaining a pregnancy is also a disturbing issue as research has shown that 6 out of every 100 miscarriages are the result of low thyroid levels.
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