Understanding Hypothyroidism - What You Need to Know

Hypothyroidism is a medical condition that happens from suboptimal or lower levels of thyroid hormone. Symptoms of this disorder could include weight gain, fatigue as well as hair loss - all resulting from a general slowdown of metabolic processes. There are two types of hypothyroidism - congenital or acquired - and both should be diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible.
Congenital Hypothyroidism

Congenital hypothyroidism develops prenatally and is a frequent cause of preventable mental retardation, affecting approximately 1 out of 5,000 infants. Hypothyroidism in infants may result from a congenital deficiency in the thyroid gland, from the abnormal synthesis of thyroid hormones, or from deficient TSH secretion. Infants who worsen from deficiencies in the thyroid gland typically function normally at birth due to of thyroid hormones that had been supplied in-utero by the mother.

Thyroid hormone is important for normal brain development and growth, nearly half of which occurs during the first six months of life. Consequently, not treating congenital hypothyroidism while the child is still young can caused mental retardation and may limit the child's growth.

Long term studies have shown that closely monitored T4 supplementation beginning in the first six weeks of life results in normal intelligence in infants with these deficiencies. Because hypothyroidism is so easy to treat, neonatal screening testing is done to detect congenital hypothyroidism. Screening usually takes place in the hospital nursery and requires a single drop of blood to be analyzed for T4 and TSH levels.

Acquired Hypothyroidism

Acquired hypothyroidism in older children and adults causes a general slowing down of metabolic processes. The hypothyroid state may be mild, with exclusively few signs and symptoms, or it may progress to a life threatening condition called myxedematous coma. Acquired hypothyroidism can result from destruction or dysfunction of the thyroid gland or from a secondary disorder due to impaired pituitary function or a tertiary disorder caused by hypothalamic dysfunction. The most common cause of acquired hypothyroidism is called Hashimoto thyroiditis - an autoimmune disorder in which the thyroid gland may be totally destroyed by an immunologic process.

Early symptoms of hypothyroidism aren't specific, but severe fatigue often makes it difficult for sufferers to work or participate in their usual activities. Reports of hair loss, brittle nails and dry skin are common, and numbness or tingling of the fingers may occur. On occasion, the voice may become husky, and the person may complain of hoarseness. Menstrual disturbances e.g. menorrhagia or amenorrhea occur, in addition to a loss of libido.

The traditional management for hypothyroidism is to restore a normal metabolic state by replacing the missing hormone. Synthetic levothyroxine - Synthroid or Levothroid - is the preferred method for treating hypothyroidism and the dosage for hormone replacement is based on the patient's serum TSH concentration. Desiccated thyroid is used less frequently because it often results in transient elevated serum concentration of T3, with occasional symptoms of hyperthyroidism. If replacement treatment is adequate, the symptoms of myxedema disappear and normal metabolic activity resumes.

Of course, precautions must be taken during the course of therapy because of the interaction of thyroid hormone with other medications. Thyroid hormone may increase blood glucose levels, which may require adjustment in the dosage of insulin or oral antidiabetic agents in patients with diabetes. The effect of thyroid hormone may be increased by Phenytoin (Dilantin) and tricyclic antidepressant agents. Thus, it requires careful observation and assessment by a medical professional for side effects.