Hypothyrodism

Occasionally, a person may not produce enough thyroid hormone. This condition where the thyroid hormone is underactive is known as hypothyroidism. It is often underdiagnosed and affects people of all ages. It is estimated that as many as ten to thirty million people suffer It is a life changing condition that can affect a person’s quality of life and can become life threatening. There are multiple symptoms associated with hypothyroidism; the five symptoms that will be discussed are fatigue, weight gain, low body temperature, higher cholesterol, and hair loss. To better understand, one must first understand the thyroid. The thyroid is a small butterfly shaped gland which is located in the neck. The thyroid produces a hormone which affects metabolism, growth, and development. The thyroid produces two main hormones called T3 and T4. These hormones travel in the blood to different parts of the body. The thyroid hormone controls the rate of many activities in your body. These activities include how fast you burn calories and how fast your heart beats. All of these characteristics make up the body’s metabolism. A thyroid that functions properly will produce the right amounts of hormones needed to keep your body’s metabolism in balance. An underactive thyroid can have significant effects on individuals. Many of the core symptoms can mimic psychological disorders or typical symptoms of aging. However, over time, hypothyroidism can lead to more serious conditions such as heart attack and diabetes. Since the thyroid affects many functions of the body the symptoms can be numerous and vary greatly Individuals that experience thyroid-related fatigue cannot sustain energy for a long period of time. Many people notice they cannot do the things they used to do. People with this fatigue may have trouble exercising, staying awake, and may not be able to get a restful night’s sleep. Sleep patterns may change and some may feel un-refreshed after hours of sleep. Due to