Found in 1 in 14 Australians, a thyroid disorder affects the body's metabolism. And when hormones produced by the thyroid gland get out of whack, a range of problems--from sluggishness to sleeplessness---can result.
Although small (only 5 cm across), the butterfly-shaped thyroid gland plays a huge role in controlling your body's basic metabolic rate, or the speed at which essential chemical functions take place in your cells. The thyroid does this by secreting hormones that stimulate your tissues into using more oxygen, producing more protein and generally working harder. And if anything goes awry with this vital, double-lobed gland at the base of your throat (see illustration below), the resulting havoc is felt throughout your body.
Sometimes the glands puts out too much hormone, making all your systems rev up into overdrive, a disorder known as hyperthyroidism (see on shortly). More common however, is its polar opposite, hypothyroidism, which occurs when the gland releases too little thyroid hormone. Becuase this natural chemical affects every system in the body, when there's not enough of it, everything s-l-o-w-s d-o-w-n. The predominant symptom, not surprisingly, is a sense of sluggishness, both mental and physical, but muscle aches, constipation, weight gain, dry skin and hair and a feeling of being cold all the time often occur as well. Hypothyroidism is about four times more common in women and than in men and is a particular risk for postmenopausal women.
The butteryfly-shaped thyroid gland produces the hormones essential for the proper maintenace and functioning of body cells. If the gland releases too much hormone, the body speeds up (hyperthyroidism); too little, and it slows way down (hypothyroidism).
Common types of hypothyroid disease are caused by mild auto-immune disorders in which the thyroid is the sole victim of an attack by the body's immune system. (Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an example of this phenonmenon). Less often, the pituitary gland in your brain fails to produce enought thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), the chemical that prompts the thyroid to work; hypothyroidisim can then develop. While hypothyroidism frequently run in families, it also appears for no obvious reason. Sometimes an underactive thyroid will follow treatment for an overactive one (surgery may remove too much of the gland, or radiation can effect hormone production). And if other hormones are disturbed elsewhere (as in pregnancy or menopause), hypothyroidism may result.
LIKELY FIRST STEPS
Medications
Procedures
Lifestyle changes
Natural methods
Outlook
What is happening
Although small (only 5 cm across), the butterfly-shaped thyroid gland plays a huge role in controlling your body's basic metabolic rate, or the speed at which essential chemical functions take place in your cells. The thyroid does this by secreting hormones that stimulate your tissues into using more oxygen, producing more protein and generally working harder. And if anything goes awry with this vital, double-lobed gland at the base of your throat (see illustration below), the resulting havoc is felt throughout your body.
Sometimes the glands puts out too much hormone, making all your systems rev up into overdrive, a disorder known as hyperthyroidism (see on shortly). More common however, is its polar opposite, hypothyroidism, which occurs when the gland releases too little thyroid hormone. Becuase this natural chemical affects every system in the body, when there's not enough of it, everything s-l-o-w-s d-o-w-n. The predominant symptom, not surprisingly, is a sense of sluggishness, both mental and physical, but muscle aches, constipation, weight gain, dry skin and hair and a feeling of being cold all the time often occur as well. Hypothyroidism is about four times more common in women and than in men and is a particular risk for postmenopausal women.
Common types of hypothyroid disease are caused by mild auto-immune disorders in which the thyroid is the sole victim of an attack by the body's immune system. (Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an example of this phenonmenon). Less often, the pituitary gland in your brain fails to produce enought thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), the chemical that prompts the thyroid to work; hypothyroidisim can then develop. While hypothyroidism frequently run in families, it also appears for no obvious reason. Sometimes an underactive thyroid will follow treatment for an overactive one (surgery may remove too much of the gland, or radiation can effect hormone production). And if other hormones are disturbed elsewhere (as in pregnancy or menopause), hypothyroidism may result.
- Thyroid replacement hormone in the form of daily oral tablets.
- Period of adjustment to fine-tune the dosage.
- Regular checkups and blood tests to monitor the gland and hormone levels.
QUESTIONS TO ASK
- Will I have to take medicines for the rest of my life?
- Is it worth trying natural thyroid hormone instead of the synthetic form?
Treatments
Because hypothyroidism means your body is getting too little thyroid hormone, the goal of treatment is simple: you'll need to compensate for low thyroid levels by taking a replacement hormone. This daily oral medication will be necessary as long as the condition persists--in most cases, this will be for the rest of your life.
Because hypothyroidism means your body is getting too little thyroid hormone, the goal of treatment is simple: you'll need to compensate for low thyroid levels by taking a replacement hormone. This daily oral medication will be necessary as long as the condition persists--in most cases, this will be for the rest of your life.
Treatment Options
MEDICATIONS
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Thyroxine Hypo: popular synthetic hormone, with T4.
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Liothyronine Hypo: animal derived , with T3 and T4.
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Antithyroid drugs Hyper: decrease hormone production.
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Radioactive iodine Hyper: decrease gland, reduce hormone.
PROCEDURES
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Surgery Hypo and hyper: to remove gitre.
Hyper: to remove thyroid gland (rare).
LIFESTYLE CHANGES
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Diet Hypo: high-fibre, low-kilojoulem iodine-rich.
Hyper: calcium to balance excess hormone.
NATURAL METHODS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vitamins Hypo: Bs to lower homocysteine levels.
Hyper: C and Bs to help thyroid function.
TAKING CONTROL
It usually takes a month or two of adjusting to get the dosage exactly right. Then, every year, you'll need to get your TSH and other thyroid levels measured to be sure your dosage is still correct. If all goes well, you'll start to feel more alert and energetic in just a few weeks, and like your old self in several months. Be aware, however, that if you stop your medication or alter your daily dosage, troublesome symptoms will inevitably reappear. And it can take weeks to get back in balance again.
If your thyroid is underactive there is a good chance you might also have higher than normal cholesterol levels, as these two conditions are commonly linked. You should have a blood test to check this and if there is a problem make the necessary diet and lifestyle changes. Similarly, hypothryroidism is also often associated with anaemia and a simple blood test can again check for this problem, which can then be very easily treated.
IODINE DEFICIENCY
Mild iodine deficiency is known to potentially cause problems with intellectual development, particularly in foetuses and young children. It can also cause the thyroid gland to enlarge. This swelling is called a goitre.
A recent study conducted in New Zealand of 300 children aged between eight and ten years old found that nearly a third of them were deficient in iodine. When the researchers examined the children's diets, they concluded that the use of iodised table salt may no longer be the best method of ensuring that children have an adequate iodine intake as had been previously believed.
PROMISING DEVELOPMENTS
PROMISING DEVELOPMENTSMEDICATIONS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thyroxine Hypo: popular synthetic hormone, with T4.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liothyronine Hypo: animal derived , with T3 and T4.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Antithyroid drugs Hyper: decrease hormone production.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Radioactive iodine Hyper: decrease gland, reduce hormone.
PROCEDURES
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Surgery Hypo and hyper: to remove gitre.
Hyper: to remove thyroid gland (rare).
LIFESTYLE CHANGES
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diet Hypo: high-fibre, low-kilojoulem iodine-rich.
Hyper: calcium to balance excess hormone.
NATURAL METHODS
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vitamins Hypo: Bs to lower homocysteine levels.
Hyper: C and Bs to help thyroid function.
TAKING CONTROL
- Stay on your medication. No matter how good you feel, don't stop taking your medicine or you'll start feeling droopy and sick again.
- Consciously monitor how you feel. If you're still chronically tired after taking the hormone for a while, you may not be getting enough. If you're restless or sweating, you may be getting too much. Either way, talk to your doctor.
- Check your own thyroid. Occasionally use your thumb and fingertips to press very gently along the front of your neck just below the Adam's apple to feel for lumps and bumps, which may signal thyroid trouble.
- Remind your doctor about all the medications you're currently taking. A variety of prescription drugs, including oestrogen, tamoxifen and lithium, can actually affect thyroid hormone levels.
It usually takes a month or two of adjusting to get the dosage exactly right. Then, every year, you'll need to get your TSH and other thyroid levels measured to be sure your dosage is still correct. If all goes well, you'll start to feel more alert and energetic in just a few weeks, and like your old self in several months. Be aware, however, that if you stop your medication or alter your daily dosage, troublesome symptoms will inevitably reappear. And it can take weeks to get back in balance again.
If your thyroid is underactive there is a good chance you might also have higher than normal cholesterol levels, as these two conditions are commonly linked. You should have a blood test to check this and if there is a problem make the necessary diet and lifestyle changes. Similarly, hypothryroidism is also often associated with anaemia and a simple blood test can again check for this problem, which can then be very easily treated.
IODINE DEFICIENCY
Mild iodine deficiency is known to potentially cause problems with intellectual development, particularly in foetuses and young children. It can also cause the thyroid gland to enlarge. This swelling is called a goitre.
A recent study conducted in New Zealand of 300 children aged between eight and ten years old found that nearly a third of them were deficient in iodine. When the researchers examined the children's diets, they concluded that the use of iodised table salt may no longer be the best method of ensuring that children have an adequate iodine intake as had been previously believed.
Medications
Procedures
Lifestyle changes
Natural methods
Outlook
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