Hypothyroidism: Warning Signs And Symptoms

Hypothyroid disease might as well be known as a silent killer. Many people consider hypothyroid disease an innocent disease, something easily treated and often detected early. The truth is an underactive thyroid often goes undetected and untreated. If left untreated for too long, in extreme cases hypothyroid disease can lead to irregular heart beats, coma, and death.

It sounds rather scary, doesn’t it?

Hypothyroid disease is a relatively easy disease to treat, once detected. Treatment typically continues for the duration of one’s life, unless the cause of hypothyroidism can be detected, and eliminated or cured.

Diagnosing hypothyroid disease is easy for the most part. There are however, always times when diagnosis can be difficult, as in cases where a patient has borderline hypothyroidism, or sub clinical hypothyroidism. In these cases, a health provider may have to look more closely at a patient’s symptoms before determining whether treatment is necessary or whether an underlying cause must be looked at.

Unfortunately there are still many health providers that neglect to test for thyroid hormone imbalances. That is why it is so important you realize what the signs and symptoms of hypothyroid disease are so you can mention them to your doctor.

Remember hypothyroid mimics many other illnesses. So just because you have some of the signs and symptoms, or maybe all of them, that doesn’t mean you have hypothyroidism. It is a good idea however, if you have some of these symptoms to check in with a health provider. They can help you determine whether you need to have a comprehensive health evaluation.

Typically hypothyroid disease is detected or ruled out by a simple blood test. So after evaluating your signs and symptoms, you and your doctor can decide whether to take action.

Here are the most common warning signs and symptoms of hypothyroid disease:

• General malaise or not feeling well
• Feeling fatigued or very tired all the time
• Aches and pains, especially muscle aches or cramps
• Joint pain
• Depression, irritability
• Mood changes
• Brittle hair or coarse hair
• Brittle nails, cracked nails
• A hoarse throat or sore throat
• Constipation
• Feeling cold all the time, when others are not
• Irregular heart rate, too slow
• Coma or stupor
• Feeling confused, memory loss
• Feeling dizzy, double vision

Of course, this list is not comprehensive, as the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism may vary from person to person and some people only have a few symptoms. Some people may have symptoms that fluctuate from day-to-day so it is hard for them to discern what their symptoms are. It is helpful to keep a journal of symptoms if you are feeling unwell so you can bring them with you to your healthcare provider’s office. That way you will have more accurate information to review with your health provider at your next visit.

If your health provider tests for hypothyroidism and begins treatment, you should continue to keep a journal of symptoms because this will help your health provider monitor the progress and efficacy of treatment. Often patients require an adjustment of the dose of hormones the doctor or health provider prescribes. Supplemental hormones are the most common treatment offered to patients with hypothyroid disease.

Sometimes a patient requires more or less hormones over time as. Treatment for hypothyroidism is typically long-term or for the duration of one’s life, unless the cause of hypothyroidism is medication or a temporary illness. If these causes of hypothyroidism can be ruled out by a health provider, then sometimes hypothyroidism will disappear on its own, once the offending cause is removed.

For this reason you should also always provide your health provider with a list of any other pharmaceuticals, herbs, or other agents you may take that could interfere with the function of your thyroid gland. This may include any other hormones or natural hormones you take as well. You may need to eliminate them or adjust them to restore proper function to your thyroid gland, depending on your situation and the severity of your condition.

There are also herbs and nutrients that can help to heal the thyroid and reverse hypothyroidism. So if you do not wish for a lifetime of pharmaceutical treatment to keep your thyroid hormones in balance this could be the best option for you.