Hypothyroidism is quite a common disease affecting 5% of the general population. This condition is treatable and can be controlled with regular medication.
Learn all about the hypothyroid condition in this blog, including the working of the thyroid gland and symptoms of the disease.
If you are already suffering from the condition, do not hesitate to connect with the best thyroid specialist in Kolkata, Dr. Amitabha Saha.
He will prepare a treatment plan for you that will put you on the fast track to controlling and managing the disease.
So without further ado, let’s look at the details of hypothyroidism!
What Is Hypothyroidism?
When there isn’t sufficient thyroid hormone in your bloodstream, the condition is known as hypothyroidism. A likely cause for this may be because the thyroid gland does not function properly producing only a little amount of the said hormones.
The result of this is lowered metabolism, tiredness, weight gain, and inability to tolerate low temperatures. In extreme cases, hypothyroidism may cause myxedema. Take a look at what that is!
What Is Myxedema?
In case the thyroid levels in the body are extremely low, the condition is called Myxedema. The symptoms of this condition are:
- Anaemia
- Coma
- Confusion
- Heart failure
- Low body temperature
How Does the Thyroid Gland Work?
The thyroid is a gland that is found clinging to your trachea.
Its main function is to control and regulate the metabolism of the body. What is meant by metabolism?
It refers to the process of transforming food into energy which the body needs to function.
The thyroid gland releases the T3 and T4 hormones to control metabolism.
These very important hormones instruct body cells on how much energy to use. Thus, the heart rate and the body temperature are controlled by it.
Note that, free T4 and TSH needs to be measured to understand the thyroid gland functioning. Starting thyroid hormone replacement or dosage adjustment is essential and both TSH and free T4 measurements aid the physician in making a diagnosis.
Moreover, also note that, many patients suffer from high cholesterol secondary to thyroid hypofunction. Hence the TSH and free T4 need to be checked before any lipid-lowering agent is started.
What Are the Symptoms of Hypothyroidism?
The symptoms of hypothyroidism may show over time. They include:
- Becoming more forgetful
- Depression
- Drooping eyelids
- Dry skin and hair
- Fatigue
- Frequent and heavy menstrual periods
- Higher than normal blood cholesterol levels
- Inability to tolerate cold temperatures
- Lower and hoarse voice
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness or tingling in the hands
- Puffiness in eyes and face
- Weight gain
Takeaway
Hypothyroidism can be treated, so do not worry if you have the condition! You just need to get in touch with the best thyroid specialist in Kolkata, Dr. Amitabha Saha, who will help to chalk out a proper treatment plan for you.
- Some of the common symptoms of hypothyroidism are fatigue, forgetfulness, depression, etc.
- The thyroid hormone controls the metabolism of the body hence the gland is considered a very vital hormone-releasing gland of the body.
Thus, do not hesitate to contact a reputed doctor to get this condition treated at once.