Underactive thyroid - Understanding the basics

As explaine in my earlier article on hyperactivity of the thyroid, the thyroid gland is located in the neck, just below the "adam"s apple)

It is one of the most important endocrine glands of our body, and controls our metabolism ( how quicky our body carries out it s' normal process)

Symptoms of underactivity of the thyroid include the following, as our body gradually starts to shut down , starting with the least important things that we need for natural survival:

it is rather like a reverse of hyperactivity:

Depression

Unexplained weight gain

Heavy menstrual flow

dry skin and brittle nails

memory/concentration problems

constipation

difficulty in sleeping

always feeling cold

As with hyperactivity, if we suspect we have thyroid underactivity, we must visit our doctor, who will in turn refer us to an endocrine (blood specialist)

Blood tests will be carried out on hormone levels, and as the reverse to hyperactivity, our T.S.H (thyroid stimulating hormones) will be higher than the normal , as our body tries to correct itself.

T3 and T4 hormone levels may be alterred but not always

Causes:

Thyrodoiditis- a temporary inflammation of the thyroid gland

An auto immune disorder - this may well be genetic

A virus, or temporary alteration after giving birth

Result of radioactive iodine treatment that has been used to try to stabilise hyperactivity

Result of partial or total thyroid removal due to tumours, suspected cancer, or persistent non function of the thyroid gland.

To date, there is no actual cure for hypoactivity of the thyroid, although the condition is manageable and controlled by hormone replacement (thyroxine)

Obvously you will need regular check ups and blood tests, but there is no reason you cannot live a normal life, or that your life span will be shortened.

It is, in my opinion preferable to hyperactivity, because any treatment available for hyperactivity such as radioactive iodine treatment, or surgery, always almost leads to hypoactivity.

My personal experience of thyroid disease started almost 2 years ago when I found lumps in the thyroid area, after a diagnosis of thyroiditis, I was told my thyroid worked normally as although my T.S.H level was as low of 0.01, my levels of T4 and T3 never alterred.

I then fell pregnant with my second son, and endured a hard pregnancy, including icdreased morning sickness ( another symptom of hyperactivity)

i was sent for regular checks, at which I desribed all the symptoms of hyperactivity, although the final reason for the removal of my thyroid was the presence of a shadow on the nodule (goiter) which in turn proved to contain a small amount of malignant cells.

So as an obvious result of thyroid removal, I am now suffering from hypoactivity of the thyroid, and only today my medication levels of thyroxine have been changed.

I am feeling a very gradual improvement, as hypoactivity in my opinion is preferable to hpyeractivity, at least I sleep at night for periods of more than half an hour.

One important thing we can do to help ourselves is stick to a low calorie diet, but even if we appear to be piling on the pounds uncontrolably, we must remember that we still must eat - starvation is not the answer!

But I have been garanteed a full recovery, albeit a slow one, and am still unable to work.

And of course I will always have my scar to remind me to take my hormones when i wake up in the morning and look the mirror!