Hypothyroidism. When The Thyroid Doesn’t Function. General Characteristics.

The thyroid is a gland located in the front of the neck, in the shape of a butterfly and it is the organ that produces the T4 and T3 hormones, which are also regulated by the hypophysis gland (TSH).

The thyroid is the motor that gives our body energy and slows down our other body functions when it does not function correctly.

According to the American Thyroid Association, 40% of the population worldwide suffers from hypothyroidism due to a lack of iodine.

Autoimmune hypothyroidism is the other common type of hypothyroidism and it consists of the destruction of the thyroid gland by our own immunological defences. It is predominantly common in middle-aged women and has an incidence of 3% within the general population. It is also named Hashimoto's disease.

Hypothyroidism can also be due to other causes such as:

• Total or partial removal of the thyroid.

• A consequence of treating hyperthyroidism with radioactive iodine.

• Consumption of antithyroid medications, antiarrhythmic medications, lithium, etc.

Hypothyroidism is a congenital pathology that is most commonly found in newborns and which we will explore further in future articles, along with subclinical hypothyroidism and hypothyroidism in pregnant women.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism presents a range of symptoms that are also associated with other pathologies however, its main symptoms are:

• Tiredness, weakness and loss of energy.

• Needing to sleep more than usual.

• Constipation.

• Hair loss in the temples and sides of the eyebrows.

• Brittleness of hair and nails.

• Pronounced paleness.

• Feeling colder than usual.

• Dry and rough skin.

• Swollen face.

• Loss of concentration.

• Memory loss.

• Apathy and depression.

• Altered menstrual patterns.

• Loss of libido in both men and women.

• Slow heartbeat.

• Carpal tunnel syndrome. Pain or numbness in the hands due to an inflammation of the tissues that surround the nerve that passes through this tunnel, which can be found on the wrist.

• Goitre or inflammation of the thyroid on the neck (when the gland is inflamed).

• Emergence of other immune pathologies such as Type 1 Diabetes, Lupus, etc. in conjunction with this pathology.

The levels of Total Cholesterol and LDL (bad cholesterol) will increase and show up on blood tests, and could potentially cause a cardiovascular pathology in the future.

Other pathologies will also show up on the blood tests such as markers of the inflammation, insulin resistance, anaemia, etc.

The diagnosis is simple, a simple blood test will determine if the thyroid hormones are altered.

The treatment will always depend on the type of hypothyroidism that a patient is suffering from and will include thyroid hormones, iodine supplements, etc.

Dr J. Hurtado Martínez

Medical Director of HealthSalus