Low Thyroid Function

Low thyroid function, or hypothyroidism, is a condition where the functioning of the thyroid gland is impaired, which leads to inadequate secretion and resultant lower levels of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) in the blood. Hypothyroidism in women is more commonly seen than in men. Any kind of malfunctioning of the thyroid gland, either in the form of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, can lead to dire consequences which can affect the entire body. Given below are the causes, symptoms and treatment for this condition.

Causes

• If you're wondering as to what causes low thyroid function, then this condition, can occur due to a congenital defect, where the thyroid gland is either absent right from birth, or is present but inactive at birth. This condition is called cretinism or congenital hypothyroidism, and unfortunately, it is seen in one in every 3500 births in the United States. The baby is often born with a below normal I.Q., and often has a protruding belly, with a swollen tongue and slightly yellowish skin.
• One of the main causes of in adults is insufficient intake of iodine. Iodine insufficiency leads to hypothyroidism, which manifests as a disease called goiter. This occurs because iodine is needed for the production of thyroid hormones. This condition is mostly seen in people who live in hilly areas, or where it is difficult to access iodized salt and other iodized food products.
• Low thyroid functioning can also occur in conditions like autoimmune diseases, where there is destruction of thyroid cells by antibodies that fail to distinguish between the body's own cells and foreign cells. This condition is called Hashimoto's thyroiditis, named after the Japanese doctor Hashimoto who first discovered it. The exact cause that triggers this violent attack on the thyroid gland is not yet known.
• If a person has undergone any kind of chemotherapy or radiation therapy in the neck region, then it can lead to inadvertent destruction of thyroid cells, thus resulting in lowered thyroid functioning.
• The patients that have undergone a complete or partial thyroidectomy, are at a great risk of developing low thyroid function. Normally, in cases of suspected thyroid cancer, which is in the initial stage, a thyroidectomy is often performed, which leaves the patient with a partial or no thyroid gland, thus, running the risk of hypothyroidism.
• Another cause of hypothyroidism is lowered brain functioning. This leads to changes in the normal TSH levels, or thyroid stimulating hormone levels, which causes decreased functioning of the thyroid gland.

Symptoms

• Hypothyroidism in children often leads to lethargy and weakness initially
• Droopy eyelids (ptosis)
• Depression and mood swings
• Cold feet and hands, inability to regulate body temperature, with increased susceptibility to cold is one of the signs of low thyroid function
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Coarse and dry brittle hair, accompanied by hair loss is also one of the symptoms
• Constipation and weight gain, despite decrease in appetite, which further aggravates lethargy
• One of the side effects is decreased sex drive
• Menstrual disturbances, muscle and joint pain, decreased sweating, and overall lowered mental and physical activity are all sluggish thyroid symptoms

Treatment

If you happen to spot the above mentioned signs and symptoms of underactive thyroid, then you will need to seek proper treatment. This treatment will depend on the underlying cause that is responsible for low thyroid function. If the cause of hypothyroidism is malnutrition, or a diet that is low in iodine, then the person needs to switch to a diet which contains food that acts as natural thyroid supplements. In such cases, the diet will consist of foods like green leafy vegetables, and other food groups that are high in minerals, especially iodine. If the person has hypothyroidism due to absence of thyroid gland, or due to Hashimoto's thyroiditis, or due to a partial or complete thyroidectomy, then he or she has no option but to take hypothyroidism medication on an indefinite basis.

Although thyroid problems and low thyroid functioning is not a serious disorder, it can lead to a lot of systemic problems which can severely compromise the quality of life of a person. But with a detailed diagnosis, proper treatment plan, and a determined will, a person can live a normal and healthy life.