Hypothyroidism is difficult to diagnose without conducting a thyroid panel and lab work. Doctors often misdiagnose the disease, although one out of ten doctors spot the symptoms and conduct further tests to diagnose the disease. Many people suffer from mild hypothyroidism, although they are undiagnosed and just believe they have a slow metabolism and "can't lose those extra pounds," when in reality the weight gain is no fault of their own.
Effects
Hypothyroidism has a profound effect on the body. The hair may fall out and striae (stretch marks) may form quickly, especially around the stomach, because of rapid weight gain. The patient may cease to learn or have learning difficulties. The skin will be dry and dull. Lethargy prevails as the body grows weaker; sufferers have no energy and suffer from chronic fatigue. Intolerance to cold will be present in sufferers, as well as irritability, memory loss and abnormal menstrual cycles (or none at all). Decreased libido is also a symptom.
Types
Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism differ in that, with hypothyroidism, the TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) level sky-rockets because the thyroid is weak and releases little or no hormone. Hyperthyroidism is the opposite: the thyroid is overactive and produces too much hormone. Patients suffering from hypothyroidism tend to be overweight due to their underactive thyroid; hyperthyroidism patients tend to be thin due to their overactive thyroid.
Identification
By conducting blood work called a Thyroid Panel, doctors can see just how much of an underactive thyroid the patient has and will act to rectify the hormone deficiency by prescribing hormones that the patient has to take every day for the rest of their lives. Taking these hormone pills is especially important to patients who find themselves pregnant to keep taking their hormone pills, because there is a risk that the baby may be born retarded due to hormone deficiency in the vital stages of fetal development.
Expert Insight
Once diagnosed with hypothyroidism a consultation will be made with an endocrinologist to discuss the disease further, take more blood tests and look after the health of the patient. The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped organ in the neck, controls the metabolism. Liver, kidney and heart problems may be associated with thyroid disease.
Size
Hypothyroidism may cause the sufferer to develop a goiter due to the thyroid's dysfunction. Benign goiters can be treated with radioactive Iodine therapy to reduce their size, whereas cancerous goiters need to be removed completely.
Tags: hormone deficiency, hormone pills, suffer from, underactive thyroid, weight gain, with hypothyroidism