Understanding Hypothyroidism’s Causes
and How It’s Diagnosed
To begin, it’s critical to comprehend what the thyroid gland is and how it functions.
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland on the front of your neck that is involved in numerous metabolic processes in your body. The thyroid gland does not generate enough thyroid hormones, such as triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine, in hypothyroidism (or low thyroid) (T4).
While there is no one cause of hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (also known as Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism), an autoimmune illness thought to be linked to genetics, is the most common cause.
If your blood tests reveal above-average amounts of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and below-average T4 hormones, your doctor may diagnose you with hypothyroidism.
Causes of Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is caused by one of two things:
– Thyroid Gland Inflammation is a condition in which the thyroid gland becomes inflamed (Thyroiditis)
Hypothyroidism is frequently caused by prior or continuing thyroid gland inflammation, which leaves a substantial percentage of thyroid cells damaged (or dead) and unable to produce enough hormone.
– Autoimmune thyroiditis (also known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis) is the most prevalent cause of thyroid gland failure. It is a type of thyroid inflammation caused by a person’s own immune system.
Understanding Hypothyroidism’s Causes
and How It’s Diagnosed
To begin, it’s critical to comprehend what the thyroid gland is and how it functions.
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland on the front of your neck that is involved in numerous metabolic processes in your body. The thyroid gland does not generate enough thyroid hormones, such as triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine, in hypothyroidism (or low thyroid) (T4).
While there is no one cause of hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (also known as Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism), an autoimmune illness thought to be linked to genetics, is the most common cause.
If your blood tests reveal above-average amounts of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and below-average T4 hormones, your doctor may diagnose you with hypothyroidism.
Causes of Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is caused by one of two things:
– Thyroid Gland Inflammation is a condition in which the thyroid gland becomes inflamed (Thyroiditis)
Hypothyroidism is frequently caused by prior or continuing thyroid gland inflammation, which leaves a substantial percentage of thyroid cells damaged (or dead) and unable to produce enough hormone.
– Autoimmune thyroiditis (also known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis) is the most prevalent cause of thyroid gland failure. It is a type of thyroid inflammation caused by a person’s own immune system.
Other Factors
There are a few other, less prevalent reasons for hypothyroidism, one of which is a perfectly “normal” thyroid gland that isn’t producing enough hormone due to a pituitary gland problem (in the brain). The thyroid simply does not have the “signal” to generate hormone if the pituitary does not produce enough thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). As a result, it does not.
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
A person with hypothyroidism may experience any of the symptoms listed below, which will vary depending on the degree of the thyroid hormone shortage and the length of time the body has been without the right amount of hormone. Individual symptoms differ as well; what is one person’s main complaint may not bother another at all, and vice versa.
The majority of people will have a combination of these signs and symptoms. Some hypothyroidism individuals have no symptoms at all, or their symptoms are so faint that they go undiagnosed.
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Weakness
- Irritability
- Brain fog and loss of memory
- Constipation
- Menstrual periods that are abnormal
- Reduced libido
- Gaining weight or having a harder time losing weight
- Hair that is coarse and dry
- Skin that is dry, rough, and pale
- Hair loss is a common problem.
- Muscle cramps and pains are common.
- Cold intolerance (you are unable to handle cold temperatures similar to those experienced by others)
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Hypothyroidism’s Potential Complications
The thyroid hormone panel (also known as the thyroid function panel), which examines the quantity of thyroid hormone in the blood, is widely used to detect hypothyroidism. However, in some cases, it is not that straightforward, and more thorough testing is required. This is why, in order to properly diagnose and treat hypothyroidism, a good relationship with a qualified endocrinologist is nearly always required.
All thyroid hormones have typical ranges that have been established using computers that measured these hormones in tens of thousands of people. Hypothyroidism is diagnosed when your thyroid hormone levels fall below the normal range. The T4 (thyroxine) and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels are measured in the thyroid function test (TSH).
T4 (the major thyroid hormone) levels in the blood will be low, while TSH levels will be high, in the most frequent form of hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid gland itself is underperforming. This indicates that the thyroid is not producing enough hormone, and the pituitary gland recognizes this and responds correctly by producing more TSH in an attempt to coerce the thyroid into producing more hormone.
The thyroid hormone T4 will be low in hypothyroidism caused by pituitary failure, but the TSH level will also be low. Because it can only make hormones in response to TSH signals from the pituitary gland, the thyroid is responding “appropriately” in these circumstances.
weMED Hypothyroidism Treatment
Diagnosis, recovery, restoration, balance, and reset.
Our comprehensive diagnostic tests will discover the cause of your symptoms while your individualized recovery and wellness plan will heal your thyroid, be it due to a glandular or autoimmune issue. Based on The Five Pillars of Health, we will build a customized wellness plan to help you restore your gland function as much as possible. Through the careful use of herbs and acupuncture, we will reduce your inflammation, flush out toxic chemicals, stimulate your thyroid properly, improve circulation and thyroid function, balance your hormone levels, and reduce stress. We will also reset your immune system, so it does its job instead of interfering with your glands and organs.
Hypothyroidism Treatment, Reduce or eliminate your need for medication to control your thyroid.
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