Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormones, specifically thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The thyroid hormones play a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions and metabolism.

The thyroid gland, located in the front of the neck, produces these hormones in response to signals from the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Thyroid hormones are then released into the bloodstream, where they travel throughout the body and affect the function of nearly every organ and system.

Some of the essential functions regulated by thyroid hormones include:

1. Metabolism: Thyroid hormones help regulate the body's metabolic rate, which is the rate at which the body converts food into energy. When thyroid hormone levels are low, the metabolic rate slows down, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, and a feeling of coldness.

2. Heart function: Thyroid hormones influence heart rate and rhythm, as well as the strength of heart contractions. In hypothyroidism, the heart may beat slower, resulting in decreased blood flow and potential cardiovascular issues.

3. Digestive system: Thyroid hormones help maintain a healthy digestive system by regulating the movement of food through the intestines. When thyroid hormone levels are low, digestion can slow down, leading to constipation and other gastrointestinal problems.

4. Brain function: Adequate levels of thyroid hormones are essential for normal brain development and function. In infants and children, untreated hypothyroidism can lead to developmental delays and cognitive impairment. In adults, it can cause difficulties with memory, concentration, and mood changes.

5. Body temperature regulation: Thyroid hormones play a role in maintaining body temperature. When thyroid hormone levels are low, the body's ability to regulate temperature may be affected, resulting in sensitivity to cold temperatures.

6. Energy production: Thyroid hormones are involved in energy production at the cellular level. They help regulate the breakdown of nutrients and the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the body's primary energy source.

When someone has hypothyroidism, these vital functions can become impaired due to the insufficient production of thyroid hormones. This can result in a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain, constipation, dry skin, hair loss, depression, and cognitive difficulties.

If you suspect you have hypothyroidism or are experiencing symptoms related to thyroid dysfunction, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormones, specifically thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The thyroid hormones play a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions and metabolism.

The thyroid gland, located in the front of the neck, produces these hormones in response to signals from the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Thyroid hormones are then released into the bloodstream, where they travel throughout the body and affect the function of nearly every organ and system.

Some of the essential functions regulated by thyroid hormones include:

1. Metabolism: Thyroid hormones help regulate the body's metabolic rate, which is the rate at which the body converts food into energy. When thyroid hormone levels are low, the metabolic rate slows down, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, and a feeling of coldness.

2. Heart function: Thyroid hormones influence heart rate and rhythm, as well as the strength of heart contractions. In hypothyroidism, the heart may beat slower, resulting in decreased blood flow and potential cardiovascular issues.

3. Digestive system: Thyroid hormones help maintain a healthy digestive system by regulating the movement of food through the intestines. When thyroid hormone levels are low, digestion can slow down, leading to constipation and other gastrointestinal problems.

4. Brain function: Adequate levels of thyroid hormones are essential for normal brain development and function. In infants and children, untreated hypothyroidism can lead to developmental delays and cognitive impairment. In adults, it can cause difficulties with memory, concentration, and mood changes.

5. Body temperature regulation: Thyroid hormones play a role in maintaining body temperature. When thyroid hormone levels are low, the body's ability to regulate temperature may be affected, resulting in sensitivity to cold temperatures.

6. Energy production: Thyroid hormones are involved in energy production at the cellular level. They help regulate the breakdown of nutrients and the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the body's primary energy source.

When someone has hypothyroidism, these vital functions can become impaired due to the insufficient production of thyroid hormones. This can result in a wide range of symptoms, including fatigue, weight gain, constipation, dry skin, hair loss, depression, and cognitive difficulties.

If you suspect you have hypothyroidism or are experiencing symptoms related to thyroid dysfunction, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.

The treatment of an underactive thyroid depends a bit on the cause. There are some causes which will actually solve themselves. Most of the time, however, it requires taking replacement thyroid hormone.

Some of the causes, for example, that may result in underactive thyroid can be a drug side effect, or a result of having inflammation in your thyroid, and the thyroid will pass through a phase of low levels. It won’t be able to produce its required amount, but eventually will rally – heal itself – and you won’t require long-term thyroid replacement.

But for most patients, when their thyroid is underactive spontaneously, it’s due to a disease called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease. Your immune system gets a bit confused, and instead of fighting off bacteria or viruses, it turns on your thyroid and actually causes damage.

And we don’t have an accepted way to stop that inflammation, and we’re left just replacing your thyroid hormone to restore normal physiology and restore normal health and make you feel normal.

To diagnose low thyroid, or hypothyroidism, first is to suspect it from the symptoms, because some of the symptoms are really not very specific; fatigue – everything causes fatigue. But once you have a clinical suspicion of it, the test to do is a TSH test (thyroid stimulating hormone test).

And while not a perfect test, it’s very good in most circumstances, to diagnose an underactive thyroid. When your thyroid level is low, your TSH level goes up. And it can be used both to diagnose thyroid disease, and it’s also one of our key measures that we use when we start treating thyroid deficiency, to know that we have put you on an appropriate physiological dose of thyroid hormone.

If you have any further questions on the diagnosis or treatment of thyroid deficiency, do check with your primary care practitioner.

Now Health Network Local Practitioners: Endocrinologist