Hypothyroidism is a condition that doesn’t have enough thyroid hormone within the bloodstream as well as the metabolism begins to slow.

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid does not create or release enough thyroid hormone into the body. This will slow down the metabolism, and affect your body. Hypothyroidism is quite common, and many know it as another term that is underactive thyroid disease.

When your thyroid levels become extremely low, which is very serious. This is known as myxedema, and this serious condition also has serious symptoms that you can deal with including:

• Low body temperature
• Anemia
• Heart failure
• Confusion
• Coma

Myxedema is a severe type of hypothyroidism that can be life-threatening. However, hypothyroidism is treatable, by controlling the regular medications and going to follow-up appointments with your doctor.

Hypothyroidism has 2 layers of causes, the primary cause, and secondary cause. The hypothyroid primary cause is a condition that impacts the thyroid directly and causes low levels of thyroid hormones to be created. The hypothyroid secondary cause, causes the pituitary gland to fail, this means it cannot send thyroid-stimulating hormone to the thyroid which balances out the thyroid hormones.

The hypothyroid primary cause is the more common cause, and the most common of these primary cases is an autoimmune condition which is called Hashimoto’s disease. Hashimoto’s disease is a hereditary condition that is passed down from the family. This disease focuses on the body’s immune system and attacks, as well as damages the thyroid. This then prevents the thyroid from making, as well as releasing enough thyroid hormone to help the body.

A few other primary causes of a hypothyroid include:

• Inflammation of the thyroid
• Radiation and the surgical removal of the thyroid
• Deficiency of iodine, which is a mineral of the thyroid which is used to make hormones within the body
• Hereditary surroundings

Hypothyroidism does develop over time slowly, but the symptoms that you should be watching for includes:

• Constipation
• Gaining weight
• Experiencing soreness throughout the body
• Higher than normal blood cholesterol levels
• Depressed
• Unable to tolerate cold temperatures
• Dry, and coarse skin and/or hair
• Experiencing a decrease in sexual interest
• Frequency and heavy menstrual periods
• Physical changes in the face may include drooping eyelids and puffiness in the face
• Lower and hoarser voice
• Becoming more forgetful

Hypothyroid can have many negative effects on the body which can affect the following:

• Endocrine system
• Circulatory system
• Cardiovascular system
• Nervous system
• Respiratory system
• Digestive system
• Reproductive system
• Consistent exhaustion
• Weight gain
• Cold intolerance
• Swelling within the feet and hands

On top of all the symptoms, a lack of thyroid hormone can also leave the skin dry and pale, while also messing with the control of your body temperature. Thinning of the hair, and the nails becoming brittle and looking different. Hypothyroidism doesn’t just affect the body, it also can affect the brain.

Hypothyroidism is a serious condition and can become life-threatening if treatment is not acquired from a medical professional. If you do not seek treatment for hypothyroidism, your symptoms can get even more severe and may include:

• Developing mental health issues
• Issues breathing
• Unable to maintain a normal body temperature
• Heart issues
• Developing an enlargement of the thyroid gland

If you believe you may have several of the following symptoms concerning hypothyroidism, and you want to get tested for it, contact Optimal Balance Center today. We will provide a variety of tests to ensure you have a thyroid condition, and if so, we will enlist the proper treatment to help correct the issue. If you would like to know more, call us for more information or to request an appointment today! We are conveniently located at 701 FM 685, Ste 125 Pflugerville, TX 78660. We Serve Patients from Pflugerville TX, Austin TX, Round Rock TX, Hutto TX, Georgetown TX, Cedar Park TX, Taylor TX, and Manor TX.