Our Medical Experts
Max Healthcare is home to 5000 eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
Find a DoctorDelhi/NCR:
MOHALI:
Dehradun:
BATHINDA:
BRAIN ATTACK:
Hypothyroidism is also called underactive thyroid. It is a very common condition in which the thyroid gland doesn’t create and release enough thyroid hormone into the bloodstream to fulfill the demands of the body, thereby making the process of metabolism slow down considerably and ultimately affecting the whole body.
The thyroid gland is present near the front of the neck, just below the larynx, and has two lobes, one on each side of the windpipe. The generation of thyroid hormones is controlled by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which is formed by the pituitary gland. This is controlled by the hypothalamus, a region of the brain. TSH makes sure that an adequate amount of thyroid hormones are produced in order to meet the needs of the body. If the thyroid gland is under active the level of TSH goes up.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism may be ambiguous and can often be confused with other conditions. These are as follows:
Babies with hypothyroidism generally don't exhibit any symptoms. If symptoms are present, they comprise of:
The most usual and frequent cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder. The term "thyroiditis" refers to the inflammation of the thyroid gland. With this condition, the body produces antibodies that target and destroy the thyroid gland. It may also be caused by a viral infection.
Other causes of hypothyroidism include:
Primary hypothyroidism is caused due to a problem with the thyroid gland itself.
Secondary hypothyroidism occurs due to diseases of the pituitary gland.
The most common blood test conducted is the TSH test. This detects the amounts of TSH present in the blood of an individual. If the TSH value is above normal, the patient may have hypothyroidism, and if these values are below the normal range, the patient may present either with hyperthyroidism or secondary hypothyroidism.
The T3, T4, and thyroid autoantibody blood tests are various other investigations used to detect the diagnosis as well as decide its cause.
The doctor may prescribe a complete thyroid panel; it includes testing levels of T3 and T4, TSH, and thyroid autoantibodies so as to fully recognise the health and functioning of the thyroid gland.
There may also be additional tests to check cholesterol levels, liver enzymes, prolactin, and sodium.
The ideal treatment for hypothyroidism involves daily intake of the synthetic thyroid hormones. This is an oral medication, and it restores adequate hormone levels, reversing the symptoms and signs of hypothyroidism. To estimate the correct dosage initially, the doctor generally checks the level of TSH after a period of around six to eight weeks. After that, all these levels are again checked after an interval of six months. Excessive amounts of the hormone can result in certain side effects, like:
Although anyone can develop hypothyroidism, individuals are at an increased risk if they:
Hypothyroidism can result in a number of health problems:
There is no way as such to prevent hypothyroidism, but people who have antibodies should monitor their thyroid function regularly so that it can be diagnosed timely. There is no evidence that shows a particular diet will prevent hypothyroidism.
The long-term outlook for hypothyroid patients is good. If they take their medications regularly, normal levels can be maintained and they do not develop any complications due to the disease. Primary hypothyroidism, sometimes called permanent hypothyroidism, can be reversed.
Reviewed by Dr. Anshu Alok, Senior Consultant - Endocrinology & Diabetes.
Max Healthcare is home to 5000 eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
Max Healthcare is home to 5000 eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
Find a Doctor