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

Hypothyroidism. When The Thyroid No Longer Functions.

The thyroid is a gland located in the anterior part of the neck; it is in the shape of a butterfly and is the engine that gives energy to our body due to the hormones that it produces.

Hypothyroidism can occur due to a lack of iodine, or because the thyroid has been eliminated due to autoimmune diseases, surgery, medications, etc.

According to the American Thyroid Association, 40% of the world’s population suffers hypothyroidism due to a lack of iodine.

Autoimmune Hypothyroidism occurs when our own body’s defences attack the thyroid. 3% of the word’s population suffer from this pathology, and is predominantly found in middle-aged adults, especially women.

Hypothyroidism is the congenital pathology most commonly found in newborns, and is something that will be further explored in another article along with subclinical hypothyroidism and hypothyroidism in pregnant women.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

Even though there are number of symptoms that can also be found in other pathologies, the main ones are:

• Tiredness, weakness and a lack of energy.
• Sleeping more than usual.
• Constipation.
• Hair loss in the edges of the eyebrows and in the temples.
• Feeling colder than usual.
• Gaining weight easily.
• Skin that is dry and rough.
• Bloated face.
• Loss of memory and concentration.
• Depression.
• Irregular periods.
• A decrease of libido in both men and women.
• A slower heart rate.
• An emergence of a goiter or inflammation of the thyroid in the neck (when the gland is swollen). 
• An emergence (in some cases) of other autoimmune diseases such as Diabetes Type 1, Lupus, etc.

In terms of blood tests, an increase in cholesterol levels takes place; there is also a possibility of suffering from anaemia and an increment in inflammatory markers, etc.

The diagnosis is easy as only a blood test would be needed to determine whether or not the thyroid hormones are altered.

Due to the common occurrence of this pathology, the American Thyroid Association recommends that people over the age of 35, along with pregnant women and patients that have family members that have suffered from this pathology in the past, to undertake regular tests to check the levels of the thyroid hormones.

The treatment will vary depending on whether if it is caused for a lack of iodine, which will be the responsibility of Governments to ensure that iodine is added to different foods, or through the individualized use of iodized salt when cooking.

And a treatment of Thyroxine would be prescribed by a doctor in the case of Autoimmune Hypothyroidism and would last during their lifetime.

Dr J. Hurtado Martínez

Medical Director of HealthSalus