Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid)

Hypothyroidism underactive thyroid) One in ten Americans, more than twenty million people, has a thyroid disorder. However, it is estimated that eight million more people remain undiagnosed. The undiagnosed population can be to blame because of misdiagnosis often thought of as stress, anxiety, or depression. Physicians can often mistake diagnosing thyroid disorders because of the complex range of symptoms. Symptoms for thyroid disorders can often be mistaken for hormonal changes, menopause, postpartum and even reproductive changes. (Norman, 2012)
Hypothyroidism is a medical condition which the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of the important hormones. The two main hormones which are produced in the thyroid gland thyroxine (T-4) and tiiodothyronine (T-3). These hormones are what fight of fats and carbohydrates, help control your body temperature, heart rate, and regulate the release of protein. The thyroid also produces hormones calcitonin which regulates calcium being released into the blood. (Clinic, 2010)
Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism wide depending on how sever the hormone gland has been left untreated. Problems with the thyroid don’t often show rapidly over a period of time. Early symptoms include fatigue and sluggishness which people often say can be due to age, change in season, or scheduling. When metabolism continues to slow, patients will often show significant signs and symptoms which include: increase body change, constipation, pale, dry skin, puffy face, hoarse voice, elevated cholesterol level, unexplained weight gain, muscle aches, stiffness, pain swelling joints, muscle weakness, heavier than normal menstrual cycles, brittle fingernails/hair, and depression. If these symptoms signs are left untreated over time they will become more severe. Additional problems over time may be forgetfulness, slowing thought processes, increasing depressing. A very rare life-threatening advanced form of hypothyroidism is known as myxedema. Signs

Cited: Clinic, M. (2010, June 12). Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). Retrieved June 31, 2012, from Mayoclinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypothyroidism/DS00353 Eckman, A. S. (2010, April 19). PubMed Health. Retrieved July 1, 2012, from NCBI: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001393/ Healthwise. (2010, July 16). Hypothyroidism. Retrieved June 29, 2012, from WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/hypothyroidism-exams-and-tests Norman, J. (2012, Mary 09). Hypothyroidism: Too Little Thyroid Hormone. Retrieved July 5, 2012, from Endocrineweb: http://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/thyroid/hypothyroidism-too-little-thyroid-hormone