What is underactive thyroid?

Answer 1

The medical term for an underactive thyroid is hypothyroidism. It is used to describe a condition in which the thyroid fails to produce enough hormones to balance the body's system. The condition is more common in women over 50, but can strike women and men much earlier. An underactive thyroid may go undetected for years. The earliest stages of the condition do not generally cause any symptoms.

Symptoms develop gradually and can easily be blamed on another illness or simply chalked up to a sign of aging. One of the most common symptoms is a lack of energy and feeling tired all the time. A person may feel depressed as well. Hypothyroidism is linked to muscle aches and pains. Sensitivity to cold may also be experienced.

Women may notice their menstrual periods are heavier than normal. Brittle hair and nails are often associated with an underactive thyroid due to the lack of hormones. The skin may become unusually pale and dried out. Unexplained weight gain can indicate a problem with the thyroid. The face may look puffy, and a person's voice will sound hoarse.

Doctors will conduct a thyroid function test before making a diagnosis. A blood test will measure hormone levels, which will reveal an underactive thyroid. The blood test may also indicate an increase in cholesterol levels, which is a symptom of hypothyroidism. Older women are typically tested for the condition regularly. New testing methods are much more sensitive and can catch an underactive thyroid in the early stages, before symptoms are even noticed.

Once a hypothyroid diagnosis has been made, doctors will most likely prescribe a synthetic hormone. Hormone replacement therapy will need to continue for the rest of a person's life once an underactive thyroid has been discovered. The synthetic hormone medication is rather fast acting, and a person will begin to notice a relief from symptoms within weeks of starting the medicine. However, a doctor will need to adjust dosage periodically.