Hypothyroidism Welcome to the Affordable Drugs hypothyroidism information page. Here you can learn about hypothyroidism symptoms, hypothyroidism treatments, hypothyroidism causes and more. You can even find the best available prices on hypothyroidism medications. The information on hypothyroidism contained on this page is not intended to replace the professional advice of your physician.
What Is Hypothyroidism? Hypothyroidism is a medical condition in which the quantity of thyroid hormone in the body is insufficient. The thyroid gland is responsible for the production of necessary hormones in the body, and in the case of Hypothyroidism, this gland is rendered almost inactive. In such a scenario the human body is not capable of functioning normally.
The primary purpose of the thyroid hormone is to manage the body's metabolism. However, with a low supply of thyroid, the metabolism of any human body is bound to be affected. Exceedingly low levels of thyroid in the body lead to inadequate stimulation of body cells and organs, slowing down its chemical processes by a great deal. The common consequences include weight gain, chronic fatigue, slowed heart beat rate, constipation, appetite loss, dry skin, hair loss, slow body temperature, painful premenstrual periods and inability to bear cold.
The thyroid gland, which lies just below the Adam's apple in humans, is a tiny butterfly-shaped gland, and is more prominent in men than in women. It is a major part of the body's endocrine system, which is made up of glands that work by secreting hormones into the blood stream. These hormones are also known as chemical messengers as they move with the blood to work on the different parts of body. The thyroid gland also regulates the rate at which the body tissues utilize natural chemicals and food to produce energy and to covert that energy into muscular energy and body heat.
Hormones produced by the Thyroid gland:
The thyroid gland is responsible for the production of essential hormones such as:
1. Thyroxine or T4
T4 or Thyroxine is produced by the synthesis of the follicular cells obtained from free tyrosine. On the other hand, the amino acid tyrosine, which is attached to iodine, is also bound to a protein called thyroglobulin. This particular form of hormone has four iodine units linked to its structure. The principal function of this thyroid hormone is to stimulate the body's oxygen consumption in order to activate the metabolism of all the cells and tissues found in the human body.
2. Triiodothyronine or T3
Triiodothyronine is a thyroid hormone which has three iodine units attached to it, instead of four. Certain special cells in the body convert T4 to T3, and it is T3 that is biologically active in the blood stream.
3. Calcitonin
Calcitonin, the major source of which are the C cells or the parafollicular cells in the thyroid gland, is a vital hormone that participates in the calcium and phosphorus metabolism in the body of mammals. Calcitonin is capable of partially decreasing blood calcium levels by its impact on the organs like bones and kidneys.
What happens when thyroid hormone levels go down?
In such a hypothyroid condition, the body experiences the following:
� Decrease in heart rate.
� Decrease in the rate of breathing.
� Decline in the use of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
� Inefficiency depicted by skeletal muscles.
� Diminished thinking skills.
� Weakened Digestive muscles.
More about the hypothyroid condition:
� It can affect people in all ages, including infants and children.
� Hypothyroidism has an impact on both the sexes. However, women are around eight times more likely to be affected by it.
� Millions of people, who have a hypothyroid condition, don't even know about it because the symptoms of the disease are not very harsh.
� Iodine plays a major role in eradicating the deficiency of the thyroid hormone from a body. However, it is recommended to consume iodine in regulated amounts so as to avoid Hyperthyroidism. Iodized salt is the perfect way to provide iodine to the body.
Hypothyroidism Symptoms There are a wide variety of symptoms of hypothyroidism. These symptoms can vary from mild and nearly unnoticeable to drastic physical changes. The most mild of symptoms can easily be mistaken for signs of aging, and include things such as memory loss, dry skin, and fatigue.
Typically, the severity of hypothyroidism symptoms will depend on your age, the degree of the condition, and the length of time in which you have been affected. Early symptoms can be so mild that they may go unnoticed for years. The older you are, the more likely you will be to begin noticing the symptoms.
The most common symptoms of hypothyroidism include dry skin, coarse hair, chronic constipation, fatigue, weakness, and reduced tolerance for cold accompanied by a consistent cold temperature to the skin. Hypothyroidism can also cause brittle nails, skin with a yellow tint, and difficulty concentrating. Some women may also experience irregular menstrual periods or very heavy flow with their menstrual cycle. Some other possible hypothyroidism symptoms, although not as common, include a slight increase in body weight, swelling of the extremities, general aches within muscle tissue, and enlargement of the thyroid gland.
For pregnant women, symptoms of hypothyroidism can mimic pregnancy symptoms in fatigue, dizziness, memory or focus problems. Pregnant women may also experience weight loss and depression symptoms.
Cases of hypothyroidism are unusual in young children. When it does occur, infants may experience a reduced appetite, and may choke on food. In adolescents and teens, early signs of behavior problems and changes in school performance may be indicators. You may also notice dry or scaly skin in your infant or young child. Teenagers may suffer a delay in puberty onset, gain weight, and face growth rate reductions. Children may also look younger than their physical age due to development rates slowing down.
Hypothyroidism exhibits itself with many different symptoms. Due to this, it is often confused with other disorders, such as depression, Alzheimer's, and dementia. Each person's hypothyroidism symptoms may be drastically different, and any one person may not experience all of the symptoms. It is important to consult a doctor who may properly evaluate the combination of symptoms to ensure an appropriate diagnosis.
Hypothyroidism Causes Hypothyroidism causes range from insufficient iodine in the diet, auto immune diseases such as Hashimoto's and Grave's, to cigarette smoking, and radiation, to name a few. Women are affected more than men, and the disease is more common after the age of 50.
To help prevent hypothyroidism, we need less than a teaspoon of iodized salt daily. The average American consumes three to five teaspoons of salt every day. If you're on a low salt diet, strawberries, mozzarella cheese, yogurt, cow's milk, and eggs, are excellent sources of iodine.
Another good reason to not light up that cigarette is that cigarette smoking may be another hypothyroidism cause. The cyanide in tobacco converts to thiocyanate, which inhibits iodide uptake. Smoking can also increase your risk of Hashimoto's Disease.
Radiation to the head and neck can also be hypothyroidism causes. The effects of radiation may not be immediately felt, but can become more serious over time. Hypothyroidism may be a temporary side effect, or it can be permanent.
Eating soy products is popular among the health conscious, but long term consumption of soy can lead to a goiter, which is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. Goiters can lead to auto immune disease.
We've always been told to eat our vegetables, but certain raw vegetables when consumed in large quantities, can lead to goiters and result in hypothyroidism. Brussel sprouts, turnips, radishes, cabbage, kale, and rutabaga are among these goitrogenic foods. Cooking these same vegetables is not a concern.
Some herbs that we take to enhance our health may increase our risk for hypothyroidism. You may be taking in too much iodine from kelp, bugleweed, and bladderwrack. Many vitamins also contain these ingredients, so read the label before you buy. Likewise, prescription drugs can also contain iodine, so talk to your doctor, if you have concerns.
As we slow down with age, so does our thyroid. Women going through menopause, with fluctuating hormone levels, may develop hypothyroidism. It's estimated that 20% of women over 65 show signs of thyroid failure.
Hormonal changes in pregnancy are another hypothyroidism cause. Hypothyroidism can develop before or after childbirth, and is more common in more iodine deficient parts of the country. Childbirth can also trigger Hashimoto's Disease.
Hypothyroidism Diagnosis Hypothyroidism is one of those diseases whose symptoms are often ignored due to the day-to-day nature of living. Five out of six sufferers are women, but men can develop it too. Since the symptoms (tiredness, weight gain, high cholesterol, feeling cold) are easily ignored or attributed to many other causes, many people don't think to make an appointment with their doctor until the discomfort has become unbearable. You might also notice that your hair and fingernails are more brittle and easily breakable, and in women, your menstrual period may become much heavier. Men and women may notice constipation, slow pulse, and voice changes.
When you do contact the doctor, suspecting a hypothyroidism diagnosis, the doctor will likely take some blood samples and send them to the lab to check for increased enzyme levels, high cholesterol, anemia, and low sodium. The doctor will also check for a smaller than normal thyroid gland (at the base of your throat, under your larynx), but the thyroid gland can be larger than normal, also known as a goiter. The Serum TSH test is currently the most reliable diagnostic tool when checking for hypothyroidism. This test analyzes the serum thyrotropin concentration as well as the serum free thyroxine levels in the patient's blood. Men should be especially vigilant about asking their doctor to order these tests since hypothyroidism diagnoses are much more uncommon for men.
Keep in mind that there are a few different types of hypothyroidism. Primary hypothyroidism is typically diagnosed with the above tests. TSH or thyroid stimulant hormone is manufactured by the pituitary gland. If the thyroid is underactive, the TSH levels will increase. However, if the pituitary gland is defective, there will be a drop in the level of TSH. This is known as secondary or tertiary hypothyroidism. Free T3 and Free T4 tests are used to diagnose secondary or tertiary hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism is most often treated and can be controlled, but not cured, using hormone replacement therapy. Once a hypothyroidism diagnosis has been made, your doctor can prescribe medication to relieve your symptoms and alleviate your concerns about this disorder.
Hypothyroidism Diet One of the major complaints of those who have hypothyroidism is difficulty losing weight. Hypothyroidism, in simple terms, is an underactive thyroid. The result is the thyroid does not produce the levels of the hormone needed to maintain a balanced metabolism. When the metabolism slows down, fewer calories are burned.
The good news is that once hypothyroidism has been diagnosed and thyroid levels are under control, a hypothyroidism diet can be an important next step. Paying attention to what you eat can be a successful, natural way to treat a variety of medical conditions, including hypothyroidism.
Iodine, a hormone-producing agent
A key to a successful diet for hypothyroidism is eating foods that contain iodine. Iodine plays a primary role in the function of the thyroid and is the key component in producing two hormones�thyroxine and triiodothyronine�that the body uses during metabolism.
An easy way to increase the level of iodine in the body is to use sea salt or iodized salt when preparing foods. A quarter teaspoon of salt provides 67 micrograms of iodine, which is approximately half of the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance for iodine.
Seafood is one of the best sources of iodine, particularly salt-water fish such as tuna, salmon, and crab. If you enjoy sushi, you can get double the benefit if seaweed is part of the mix, as it is also a good source of iodine.
Other iodine-rich foods are
? oatmeal
? bananas
? radishes
? potatoes
? spinach
? mushrooms
Tyrosine, an important amino acid
Another important ingredient in a hypothyroidism diet is foods rich in tyrosine, an amino acid. Tyrosine works with iodine to produce the hormone thyroxine. It is also helps in suppressing appetite and reducing body fat. Some tyrosine-rich foods are turkey, chicken breast, fish, and lentils. Other good breakfast, lunch, or snack choices include:
? yogurt
? low fat milk
? bananas
? pumpkin seeds
Selenium, a mineral for increased metabolism
Selenium, a trace mineral found in soil, can increase thyroid hormone metabolism and should be included in the hypothyroidism diet. Whole grains, such as oatmeal, brown rice, and whole-grain bread, are particularly good sources of selenium. Eating more than one serving a day of whole grains provides at least the recommended daily allowance of selenium: 55 micrograms. Other good sources include
? legumes
? Brazil nuts and walnuts
? lean meats
? seafood
? low-fat dairy foods
Goitrogens, the foods to avoid
As with any diet, it is important to know which foods should be included in the hypothyroidism diet and which foods should be avoided. Some foods, referred to as goitrogens, interfere with the body's absorption of iodine and in turn lower or suppress thyroid function. Some of these foods include soy products; strawberries, pears, and peaches; and raw vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and spinach.
As you begin your hypothyroidism diet, remember to add foods in moderation. Dietary changes will not necessarily reverse hypothyroidism, but they can help to improve your overall health and help you to achieve your weight loss goals
Dessicated Pork Thyroid Dessicated pork thyroid, also known as pig thyroid, is made from the dried thyroid glands of pigs. It is a prescription medicine meant for the treatment of hypothyroidism.
This thyroid medicine has been around for several years, and many doctors like to prescribe the newer, synthetic, thyroid hormone instead. However, many patients who have tried dessicated pork thyroid strongly prefer it, and will travel long distances if necessary to find a doctor who will prescribe this version instead. Finding a doctor to prescribe dessicated pork thyroid can be difficult in some areas. Patients will often have the best luck if they find a doctor who specializes in endocrine disorders.
The big difference between dessicated pork thyroid and the synthetic version is that the natural version has T3 and the T1 and T2 components as well as T4, while the most popular synthetics contain only T4. Theoretically, the body should convert T4 into T3 on an as-needed basis, but in reality, many patients find that their bodies cannot efficiently make that conversion. Therefore, results are often better with natural thyroid hormone pills, since they have the already-converted hormone variants as well as the T4.
Contrary to common belief, dessicated pork thyroid is not an unstable or variable medicine. It is standardized so each pill contains the exact amount of hormone it is supposed to. Batches of dried pork thyroid glands are mixed before being made into pills so as to achieve the right dosage every time.
There are a few variances between brands of dessicated pig thyroid. Different "fillers" are used by each company. Some also smell more strongly than others. These differences are mainly to avoid patent-infringement claims, although at least one company makes a version which uses fillers specifically chosen to be hypo-allergenic.
Common dosages of dessicated pork thyroid range from as small as 15mg or � grain all the way to 180mg or 3-grain, with 60mg or 1 grain being a popular choice. This wide range of dosages allows doctors to better customize thyroid hormone prescriptions for each patient. Some patients only need a little to bring their hormone levels up into a healthy range, while others need to fully replace what would be produced by a healthy human thyroid. Full replacement may require 5 grains or more. In these cases, patients typically spread their doses throughout the day, rather than having the full amount at once.
Like with other thyroid treatments, it can take a few weeks to fully feel the effects of dessicated pork thyroid therapy if a patient has not previously been on medication. It is likely, however, that some benefits will be felt within the first few days to one week. These improvements include increased energy and brightened mood. Other improvements take longer to appear. These include improved skin condition, visibly better hair growth, proper body temperature regulation, and other systemic benefits.
Hypothyroidism Treatments Treatment of hypothyroidism can be referred to as a type of hormone replacement therapy. When the patient's thyroid gland does not produce sufficient thyroid hormones for the body to function properly, hypothyroidism is the diagnosis. To combat the problem, the patient's physician prescribes a drug that replaces and acts like the usual human hormones produced by a healthy and normally functioning thyroid.
Types of hormone therapy available
To understand the types of hormone therapy commonly prescribed, it's important to first understand that a normally functioning thyroid gland produces adequate amounts of both thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). T3 is the more potent of the two; but only 20 percent of the T3 in the human body is produced within the thyroid gland. The other 80% is produced when the body converts T4 to T3. For this reason, most hypothyroidism is due the thyroid producing an insufficient amount of T4 that can be converted to the much needed T3.
Synthetic T4 works just like the hormone naturally produced by the human body; and since the body converts T4 to T3, many physicians start by prescribing only a synthetic T4 medication and find that patients do just fine with this course of treatment. Developed in 1927, synthetic thyroid supplements include some of the commonly prescribed brand names such as Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid and Eltroxin.
For patients who don't improve with just synthetic T4 for treatment of hypothyroidism, synthetic T3, like Cytomel, may be prescribed because the body may not be producing enough T3 or converting enough T4 to T3. Patients often find that adding a T3 medication helps treat symptoms of hypothyroidism that T4 supplementation has not corrected, including libido, vision, memory, insomnia and depression among others.
T3 has a short time of viability in the human body. In order to ensure the level stays steady, the patient needs to take a synthetic T3 supplement several times a day. Unfortunately, this could lead to having too much of the hormone in the system after just taking the supplement. The problem here is that an excess of T3 can cause rapid heartbeat, anxiety, and insomnia, and could even cause damage to the heart and the bones. For this reason, T3 alone is generally not a recommended treatment of hypothyroidism. There is a combination T3/T4 supplement known as Thyrolar, which is only available in the United States that may be prescribed instead of separate T4 and T3 supplements.
In addition to synthetic treatments for hypothyroidism, there's natural supplement known as desiccated thyroid. Desiccated thyroid is pork thyroid glands that are dried and powdered. Pork thyroid was developed in the late 19th century and is still used as a hypothyroid treatment today. It has also been referred to as natural thyroid, natural thyroid hormones, and by a brand name such as Armour Thyroid.
Regardless of what a physician calls it, pork thyroid preparations have a mixture of thyroid hormones that are naturally proportioned (80% T4 and 20% T3) and some sort of binder like lactose. One caveat for the use of this supplement is that, because it's an animal by-product, it is not an option for vegetarians or for those whose religious dietary laws prohibit the use of pork products,
No matter the treatment method prescribed, when hypothyroidism is present, the human body doesn't get the thyroid hormones needed for the health of every cell. Hypothyroidism treatments are meant to replace missing thyroid hormones and for this reason are different than other medications and treatments. The only safety concern is whether or not the patient is receiving the correct amount of replacement hormone. It is important, therefore, that the patient work with the physician to ensure the body's TSH levels are within a healthy range.
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