Hypothyroidism occurs when the gland stops producing a proper amount of thyroxine, an essential hormone. People who develop the condition will need to attend it for their entire life if they are to control symptoms and avoid complications. By working with a Dallas thyroid doctor, a course of action can be designed that is best suited to the particular needs of the individual.
Millions of people have this very common condition though a larger percentage of them go undiagnosed. Hypothyroidism may develop in anyone regardless of age, gender or race, with it becoming more likely as one matures and women having a probability five times higher than men. The severe lack of the necessary hormone can cause body systems to respond more slowly.
Particular medications and a severe lack of iodine are just two of many things that can trigger the condition's onset. An autoimmune disorder called Hashimoto's disease is the cause that is most common. Indications of this are inflammation of the gland which interrupts and prevents it from making enough of the needed hormone.
Part of the reason so many people remain undiagnosed is because the symptoms are usually subtle and typically attributed to some other condition. Some of these include depression, constipation, fatigue, cold intolerance, hair loss, muscle cramps, swollen legs, dry skin and high cholesterol. As the situation worsens, the signs may become more prominent and correlate to a noticeable slowing of one's metabolism.
A physician who suspects a patient may have hypothyroidism will begin to confirm these suspicions with a blood test. The results will indicate the condition's existence but will not necessarily point to what is causing it. For that, other diagnostic tools such as the individual's medical history, antibody screening, system scans and even an MRI may be utilized.
Complete hormone replacement is the easiest, steadiest and most efficient way to handle the problem. This method of care will have to be continued throughout the patient's lifetime. Very serious lung and heart issues may develop if one leaves their condition unattended.
Millions of people have this very common condition though a larger percentage of them go undiagnosed. Hypothyroidism may develop in anyone regardless of age, gender or race, with it becoming more likely as one matures and women having a probability five times higher than men. The severe lack of the necessary hormone can cause body systems to respond more slowly.
Particular medications and a severe lack of iodine are just two of many things that can trigger the condition's onset. An autoimmune disorder called Hashimoto's disease is the cause that is most common. Indications of this are inflammation of the gland which interrupts and prevents it from making enough of the needed hormone.
Part of the reason so many people remain undiagnosed is because the symptoms are usually subtle and typically attributed to some other condition. Some of these include depression, constipation, fatigue, cold intolerance, hair loss, muscle cramps, swollen legs, dry skin and high cholesterol. As the situation worsens, the signs may become more prominent and correlate to a noticeable slowing of one's metabolism.
A physician who suspects a patient may have hypothyroidism will begin to confirm these suspicions with a blood test. The results will indicate the condition's existence but will not necessarily point to what is causing it. For that, other diagnostic tools such as the individual's medical history, antibody screening, system scans and even an MRI may be utilized.
Complete hormone replacement is the easiest, steadiest and most efficient way to handle the problem. This method of care will have to be continued throughout the patient's lifetime. Very serious lung and heart issues may develop if one leaves their condition unattended.
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