What is hypothyroidism?
In short, it is the drop in thyroid hormone production – triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). It is the most common disorder of this gland, which is in the neck region and resembles a butterfly.
Their performance reverberates throughout the body, interfering with women’s heart rate, bowel rhythm, mood, and menstrual cycle. The release of thyroid substances is orchestrated from the pituitary gland, which is in the brain.
Although produced in a smaller amount, T3 is the compound that acts for real in the rhythm of the functioning of our organs. The larger volume T4 is much less powerful. During its journey through the body, it turns into T3 – this, yes, the agent of the organism’s main operations.
In hypothyroidism, there is a decrease in the amount of T3 and T4 that goes into the bloodstream. One cause of the malfunction is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease in which the defense system itself creates antibodies to attack thyroid cells.
Hypothyroidism is often associated with slight weight gain (eminently by fluid accumulation) and difficulty in getting rid of extra pounds. But these are just the most visible consequences of the crisis.
In T3 and T4 deficits, the heart decreases blood pumping and may suffer from heart failure. The kidneys cannot filter the right red liquid. The bowel slows and the skin dries out. The eyes, in turn, are at serious risk for glaucoma.
Children are not free of thyroid at idle. Lack of hormones impairs growth and can lead to intellectual disability. Since in the first weeks of life it is difficult to see any sign of the problem, the famous test of the foot, up to 48 hours after delivery, is a great ally because it can detect malfunction of the neck gland. It is then possible to start Hypothyroidism Treatment in Delhi as soon as possible to rule out the risk of neurological damage.
The most frequent cause of low hormone production in children and adolescents is Hashimoto syndrome. It can appear at any age and is usually noted in younger people with low growth, delayed puberty, itching and hoarse voice.
Signs and Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
- Somnolence
- Slight weight gain
- Tiredness
- Changes in mood
- Memory loss
- Dry skin
- Constipation
- Weak nails
- Loss of hair
- Feet and hands cold
- Feeling of excessive cold
- Anemia
- Change in libido
- High cholesterol
Risk factors
- Women over 30
- Age over 60 years
- Genetic predisposition
- Menopause
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy
- Postpartum period
- Pollution
- Excessive iodine in the feed
Prevention
The most important factor for the formation of T3 and T4 hormones is adequate iodine intake. About 150 micrograms of the mineral are the perfect amount to protect the thyroid.
The compost is present in table salt, seafood, and fish. On the other hand, overuse of the salt shaker – a very common fact among Indians – impacts the gland and can trigger hypothyroidism.
For those already suffering from the effects of hormonal loss, the recommendation in food is to handle vegetables such as cabbage, turnips and collard greens. They contain a substance called thiocyanate, which can inhibit thyroid work. Soy is also suspected: legume isoflavone would alter the rate of thyroid production and disrupt iodine absorption. Talk to a kidney spec about this subject.
The diagnosis
Even in the absence of symptoms of hypothyroidism, it is important to tell the doctor if there are cases of the disease in close relatives. It is also worth reporting any surgery or radiotherapy performed in the neck region. All this information is valuable to flag a possible failure to supply T3 and T4 to the body.
On clinical examination, the best nephrologist in Delhi palpates the neck to see if there are any changes in the thyroid. However, to confirm that the gland is working slowly, a blood test is required. The test can measure the dosages of T3 and T4. If the pair is down there, hypothyroidism is suspected. It turns out that hormonal falls are not noticeable at the onset of the condition. The question is the measurement of TSH, the pituitary hormone. If it is too high, it is a sign of trouble.
The use of ultrasound may be indicated to continue the investigation. In hypothyroidism, the gland tends to be atrophied. If the nephrologist in Gurgaon suspects a tumor, a scan called scintigraphy may be prescribed.
With the exception of the foot test, which reports congenital hypothyroidism in the newborn, neck ultrasound and tests that calculate the hormones TSH, T3, and T4 do not need to be done frequently in younger subjects unless there is any symptom or history of thyroid disease in the family. Other than that, checkups should only be requested for individuals over 40, especially women, who usually have more illnesses there.
The treatment
When thyroid production is low, the solution is to replace it with a synthetic version of the hormone T4. In the body, it is converted to T3 to act on cells. To reproduce this optimal thyroid function, the drug needs to be taken every day and the dose will depend on the degree of imbalance in the gland. Fine-tuning is not easy – so you can’t use the medicine without a nephrologist in Delhi.
The tablet has to be taken in the morning, fasting, about half an hour before breakfast. It needs a more acidic pH in the stomach to be absorbed. If something is ingested, the acidity reduces and compromises the use of the drug.
In general, hypothyroidism treatment in Delhi should be done for life. This is not the case only in transient forms of hypothyroidism, such as those that usually manifest in some postpartum women or even those caused by a side effect of medications. In these rare cases, hormone replacement is not always necessary and thyroid functions tend to normalize over time or with the suspension of the imbalance remedy.