HYPOTHYROIDISM

<p>HYPOTHYROIDISM</p><p>The thyroid is a 2-inch-long, butterfl y-shaped gland weighing less than an ounce. It is located in the front of the neck below the larynx, or voice box, and comprises two lobes, one on either side of the windpipe.</p><p>Hypothyroidism means that the thyroid gland can’t make enough thyroid hormone to keep the body running normally. Without enough thyroid hormone, many of the body’s functions slow down.</p><p>The thyroid gland makes two thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T<br>3<br>) and thyroxine (T<br>4<br>). Thyroid hormones affect metabolism, brain development, breathing, heart and nervous system functions, body temperature, muscle strength, skin dryness, menstrual cycles, weight, and cholesterol levels.</p><p>CAUSES:</p><p>■ <br>Autoimmune disease.</p><p>In some people’s bodies, the immune system that</p><p>protects the body from invading infections can mistake thyroid gland cells</p><p>and their enzymes for invaders and can attack them.</p><p>■ Surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid gland.</p><p>Some people with</p><p>thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer, or Graves’ disease need to have part or</p><p>all of their thyroid removed. If the whole thyroid is removed, people</p><p>will definitely become hypothyroid.</p><p>■ <br>Radiation treatment.</p><p>Patients with Hodgkin’s</p><p>disease, lymphoma, or cancers of the head or neck are treated with</p><p>radiation. All these patients can lose part or all of their thyroid function.</p><p>■ <br>Congenital hypothyroidism (hypothyroidism that a baby is born with).</p><p>■ <br>Thyroiditis<br>. <br>Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid gland, usually</p><p>caused by an autoimmune attack or by a viral infection.</p><p>■ <br>Medicines<br>. <br>Medicines such as amiodarone, lithium, interferon alpha,</p><p>and interleukin-2 can prevent the thyroid gland from being able to</p><p>make hormone normally.</p><p>■ <br>Too much or too little iodine<br>. <br>The thyroid gland must have iodine to</p><p>make thyroid hormone. Keeping thyroid hormone production in balance requires the right amount of iodine. Taking in too much iodine can cause or worsen hypothyroidism.</p><p>■ <br>Damage to the pituitary gland<br>.</p><p>. When the pituitary is damaged by a tumor, radiation, or surgery, it may no longer be able to give the thyroid instructions, and the thyroid may stop making enough hormone.</p><p>SYMPTOM:</p><p>Hypothyroidism has many symptoms that can vary from person to person. Some common symptoms of hypothyroidism are</p><p>• fatigue</p><p>• weight gain</p><p>• puffy face</p><p>• cold intolerance</p><p>• joint and muscle pain</p><p>• constipation</p><p>• dry, thinning hair</p><p>• decreased sweating</p><p>• heavy or irregular menstrual periods and impaired fertility</p><p>• depression</p><p>• slowed heart rate</p><p>DIAGNOSIS:</p><p>Many symptoms of hypothyroidism can occur in other diseases, so hypothyroidism usually cannot be diagnosed based on symptoms alone. Health care providers take a medical history and perform a thorough physical examination.</p><p>1. TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) test.:</p><p>2. T4 tests.:</p><p>Antithyroid Antibodies:</p><p>Antibody testing can be useful in determining the cause of hypothyroidism</p><p>Thyroglobulin antibody (Tg Ab) - present in Graves &amp; Hashimoto’s<br>Thyroid Peroxidase antibody (TPO Ab) - present in Graves &amp; Hashimoto’s</p>