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Monday, February 16, 2004
Hypothyroidism: When the gland goes haywire
By Henrylito D. Tacio
THE thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck over the trachea, or windpipe.
Its job is to extract iodine from blood to produce two hormones - thyroxine and triiodothyronine - that regulate the energy use of virtually every cell and organ in the body.
Thyroid disorders can range from a small, harmless goiter that needs no treatment to life-threatening cancer. The most common thyroid problems involve irregular production of thyroid hormones. Too much of these vital body chemicals results in a condition known as hyperthyroidism.
Insufficient hormone production leads to hypothyroidism, the disease that Jocelyn suffers from. Because some early symptoms are easily ignored or mistaken for signs of anxiety disorders or ageing, millions of cases of thyroid disease around the world remain undiagnosed.
Women are ten times more likely to develop hypothyroidism than men. A study conducted in the United States showed that nearly six percent of women over 60 had hypothyroidism. Because the symptoms of hypothyroidism and menopause are so similar, hypothyroidism may easily be missed.
Children are not spared from hypothyroidism. Among newborns and infants, it poses a special danger as a lack of thyroid hormones in the system at an early age can lead to the development of cretinism (mental retardation) and dwarfism (stunted growth).
But what is hypothyroidism in the first place? What causes it? "Hypothyroidism stems from an underproduction of thyroid hormones," explains "The Medical Advisor: The Complete Guide to Alternative and Conventional Treatments."
"Since your body's energy production requires certain amounts of thyroid hormones, a drop in hormone production."
One of the most common causes of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder in which white blood cells gradually replace thyroid tissue, which then comes under attack by immune-system proteins called antibodies.
Hypothyroidism can also result when the thyroid gland has been surgically removed or chemically destroyed as treatment for hyperthyroidism. And if you are exposed to excessive amounts of iodide - perhaps from a hidden source such as cold and sinus medicines, or from certain medical tests you may be at greater risk for developing hypothyroidism, especially if you have had thyroid problems in the past.
However, there are medical conditions that are associated with hypothyroidism. One example is breast cancer. Medical experts have reported some association between thyroid levels and breast cancer, although it is not clear. Some research has reported a link between breast cancer and increased levels of thyroid auto-antibodies, indicating that many women with breast cancer may be susceptible to hypothyroidism.
Whatever the cause, an underactive thyroid leaves the body running in slow motion. Symptoms include fatigue, feeling cold, diminished concentration and memory, and weight gain.
In time, the symptoms become worse: dry skin and brittle nails, constipation, muscle aches or cramps, slow heart rate and, in women, longer menstrual periods with heavier flow. Because the disease brings about irregular ovulation, untreated women may have trouble conceiving and have a higher than normal rate of miscarriage and premature delivery.
How will you know if you're hypothyroid? A doctor can diagnose hypothyroidism by looking at levels of certain hormones in your blood. Doctors usually take readings of hormones secreted by the thyroid itself, and also of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), a chemical released by the pituitary gland to trigger hormone production in the thyroid.
Experts advocate monitoring your body's basal (resting) temperature. To track your basal temperature accurately, experts recommend that you must closely follow certain guidelines: Shake the thermometer below 95 degrees Fahrenheit at night and place it where you can reach it without getting out of bed, take your temperature via your armpit for 10 minutes while staying as still as possible. Keep records of your temperature for at least three days.
Women should do this during the first two weeks of the menstrual cycle, as their basal temperature may rise during the latter half. Normal body basal temperatures fall between 97.4 degrees Fahrenheit and 97.8 degrees Fahrenheit. If your basal temperature is consistently low, you could be mildly hypothyroid. There's no way to cure an underactive thyroid, but treatment can be as simple as pill-a-day lifetime hormone replacement.
Determining the right medication and dose, though, may require experimenting. Too much thyroid hormone increases risk of bone loss, osteoporosis and cardiac arrhythmia; too little can lead to mild high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.
(February 16, 2004 issue)
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