by Marina Shemesh

Created on: September 23, 2009   Last Updated: August 08, 2010

Hypothyroidism is the condition you have when there is not enough thyroid hormone in your blood. Thyroid hormone is secreted by the thyroid gland. This butterfly shaped gland is found in your throat, right behind the Adam's apple.

Thyroid hormone

The thyroid hormone influences nearly every cell in the body by increasing the metabolic activity. Metabolism is the way the body produces the chemical substances and energy for cell growth, the creation of new cells as well as performing their various functions. The function of the thyroid hormone is that it stimulates the cells. You can say that in a way it 'accelerates' the cell's growth and functions. It's presence is necessary nearly everywhere in the body.

Some of the functions of the thyroid hormone are:

- It increases your heart and breathing rates

- It increases the use of fats, carbohydrates and protein

- It increases muscle tone and efficiency

- Food is digested better

- It helps people to be more alert and mentally sharp

In a nutshell, if you have hypothyroidism, your body is not operating as well as it can.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

The symptoms of hypothyroidism are very subtle. This condition is often confused with stress, depression or old age since it has similar symptoms.

They can be:

- A slower heart rate

- Constant tiredness

- Constipation

- Mental fatigue

- Inability to tolerate cold

- Infertility

- Dry hair and/or thin hair

- Forgetfulness

- Muscle spasms

It is as if the body is being "slowed down" when there is not enough thyroid hormone in the bloodstream. Too much thyroid hormone is not good either. This condition is known as hyperthyroidism. Some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism are the opposite of those in hypothyroidism. They can be nervousness, rapid heart beat and weight loss.

There are detector cells in the brain to monitor the levels of the thyroid hormone. If the levels drop, the detector cells send signals to the pituitary gland in the brain. This gland in it's turn releases thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH signals the thyroid gland to release more thyroid hormone.

Treatment for hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is common and can be treated successfully. It often goes undiagnosed however because the symptoms are similar to those of old age, stress and depression. There are experts who estimate that 9 million people in the U.S. alone suffer from hypothyroidism. Women are eight times likelier to develop hypothyroidism, though this condition is found in both men and women as well as children.

People suffering from hypothyroidism are given the thyroid medicine Armour Desiccated Thyroid Hormone.This is dried pig's thyroid gland that is processed into small tablets. Patients may also be given the synthetically produced thyroxine. At first they are given smaller dosages that are slowly increased until the blood tests show that the correct levels of thyroid hormone have been reached. The blood tests are however not always accurate and the dosages can be adjusted according to how the patients feel and if their symptoms have disappeared.

People, but especially women who are struggling to lose weight, are always tired, have thin hair, cannot stand feeling cold or have infertility problems are well advised to ask their doctors for a blood test to test for hypothyroidism. It could be that the only thing that is wrong with you, is that your metabolism is not getting the amounts of thyroid hormone that it needs.

www.medicinenet.com

my.clevelandclinic.org

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