What is an Underactive Thyroid?
An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) occurs when the thyroid gland stops producing enough of the thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4).
The disease mainly affects middle-aged and elderly women but it can also run in family groups.
The thyroid gland shrinks as its cells are destroyed by the defect in the patient's immune system.
Putting the patient on a course of thyroxine tablets is the easiest way of correcting the problem.
Very rarely, the defects in the patient's immune system causes the thyroid to enlarge (goitre) also known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
No treatment is necessary unless the goitre becomes so large that it looks unattractive or is compressing the windpipe.
If this happens then surgery is advised to remove most of the thyroid gland and then aftercare of thyroxine tablets.
In patients not fit enough to have surgery, or who don't want to have an operation, a dose of radio active iodine treatment can be given.
Your Doctor will advise which is the best course of action, as everyone is different.
Autoimmune Diseases Associated with Underactive thyroid Very occasionally someone who has an autoimmune underactive thyroid has other autoimmune conditions.
•Pernicious anaemia.
This happens when the cells of the stomach that produce acid are destroyed and the patient is unable to absorb vitamin B12.
This develops into anaemia (low blood count) along with symptoms in the nervous system.
•Addison's disease.
This is the destruction of the adrenal gland and is associated with severe fatigue and low blood pressure.
•Type 1 diabetes.
This is the destruction of the insulin producing cells of the pancreas.
•Destruction of ovaries in women and testicles in men.
The results for women is failure to menstruate and for men infertility and impotence.
•Loss of parathyroid function resulting in low blood calcium and the possibility of severe muscle spasms and psychological changes.
•Rheumatoid arthritis which affects the joints.
•Systemic Lupus Erythematosus which can cause disease of the skin, heart, lungs, Kidneys, joints and/or nervous system Symptoms of an Underactive Thyroid •Weight gain.
Likely to gain five to ten kilograms, although appetite is normal or even less than usual.
•Sensitivity to cold.
Feeling the cold very badly, wanting to put on extra layers of clothes, or sit near the fire.
This can be accompanied by muscle stiffness and spasm when moving suddenly.
•Mental problems.
Tiredness, sleepiness and slowing down intellectually, lack of concentration, memory is poor and reactions are a lot slower.
•Speech.
The voice becomes slow and husky, sounding slurred.
•Heart.
Pulse rate is slow at around 60 beats per minute.
Also can have high blood pressure, the elderly are more at risk of a heart failure.
•Bowel movements.
Usually constipated.
•Menstruation.
Periods become heavier.
•Skin and Hair.
Skin is likely to be rough.
Eyelids, hands and feet swell.
Hair becomes dry and brittle, sometimes loss of hair is experienced.
Outer eyebrows seem to become thinner, almost disappearing.
•Nervous system.
Becoming a little deaf and have trouble with balance.
It's not all bad news, as after taking thyroxine tablets for a little time, symptoms subside.
Testing for an Underactive Thyroid If you experience any number of the symptoms described above, book an appointment with your Doctor for a blood test.
Taking a blood test measures the levels of T4 which will be low and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), which will be high.
Treatment As mentioned earlier, thyroxine tablets are prescribed for an underactive thyroid.
They are available in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg dosage.
Normally the thyroxine treatment is started on a low dosage for three to four weeks, then adjusted to a higher dosage for another three to four weeks.
Usually after three months another blood test is performed to assess if the dosage is correct.
The aim is to restore levels of T4 and TSH in the blood to normal.
Once on the correct dosage, you will lose weight and notice the puffiness round the eyes has disappeared.
Skin and Hair texture will take longer to recover, you will start to feel well again.
It's normal to stay on thyroxine for life and because of this, in the UK the prescription is "free" if you have a NHS Medical exemption certificate.
Ask your Doctor or Chemist for information on this.
The disease mainly affects middle-aged and elderly women but it can also run in family groups.
The thyroid gland shrinks as its cells are destroyed by the defect in the patient's immune system.
Putting the patient on a course of thyroxine tablets is the easiest way of correcting the problem.
Very rarely, the defects in the patient's immune system causes the thyroid to enlarge (goitre) also known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
No treatment is necessary unless the goitre becomes so large that it looks unattractive or is compressing the windpipe.
If this happens then surgery is advised to remove most of the thyroid gland and then aftercare of thyroxine tablets.
In patients not fit enough to have surgery, or who don't want to have an operation, a dose of radio active iodine treatment can be given.
Your Doctor will advise which is the best course of action, as everyone is different.
Autoimmune Diseases Associated with Underactive thyroid Very occasionally someone who has an autoimmune underactive thyroid has other autoimmune conditions.
•Pernicious anaemia.
This happens when the cells of the stomach that produce acid are destroyed and the patient is unable to absorb vitamin B12.
This develops into anaemia (low blood count) along with symptoms in the nervous system.
•Addison's disease.
This is the destruction of the adrenal gland and is associated with severe fatigue and low blood pressure.
•Type 1 diabetes.
This is the destruction of the insulin producing cells of the pancreas.
•Destruction of ovaries in women and testicles in men.
The results for women is failure to menstruate and for men infertility and impotence.
•Loss of parathyroid function resulting in low blood calcium and the possibility of severe muscle spasms and psychological changes.
•Rheumatoid arthritis which affects the joints.
•Systemic Lupus Erythematosus which can cause disease of the skin, heart, lungs, Kidneys, joints and/or nervous system Symptoms of an Underactive Thyroid •Weight gain.
Likely to gain five to ten kilograms, although appetite is normal or even less than usual.
•Sensitivity to cold.
Feeling the cold very badly, wanting to put on extra layers of clothes, or sit near the fire.
This can be accompanied by muscle stiffness and spasm when moving suddenly.
•Mental problems.
Tiredness, sleepiness and slowing down intellectually, lack of concentration, memory is poor and reactions are a lot slower.
•Speech.
The voice becomes slow and husky, sounding slurred.
•Heart.
Pulse rate is slow at around 60 beats per minute.
Also can have high blood pressure, the elderly are more at risk of a heart failure.
•Bowel movements.
Usually constipated.
•Menstruation.
Periods become heavier.
•Skin and Hair.
Skin is likely to be rough.
Eyelids, hands and feet swell.
Hair becomes dry and brittle, sometimes loss of hair is experienced.
Outer eyebrows seem to become thinner, almost disappearing.
•Nervous system.
Becoming a little deaf and have trouble with balance.
It's not all bad news, as after taking thyroxine tablets for a little time, symptoms subside.
Testing for an Underactive Thyroid If you experience any number of the symptoms described above, book an appointment with your Doctor for a blood test.
Taking a blood test measures the levels of T4 which will be low and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), which will be high.
Treatment As mentioned earlier, thyroxine tablets are prescribed for an underactive thyroid.
They are available in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg dosage.
Normally the thyroxine treatment is started on a low dosage for three to four weeks, then adjusted to a higher dosage for another three to four weeks.
Usually after three months another blood test is performed to assess if the dosage is correct.
The aim is to restore levels of T4 and TSH in the blood to normal.
Once on the correct dosage, you will lose weight and notice the puffiness round the eyes has disappeared.
Skin and Hair texture will take longer to recover, you will start to feel well again.
It's normal to stay on thyroxine for life and because of this, in the UK the prescription is "free" if you have a NHS Medical exemption certificate.
Ask your Doctor or Chemist for information on this.
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