Did you know millions of people have undiagnosed hypothyroidism? And that’s in addition to the nearly 20% of the population diagnosed in the United States.
Clearly, hypothyroidism is a common issue, and yet, many people don’t know what the thyroid is, much less what it means to have hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism, also known as an underactive thyroid, is a condition where your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones to meet your body’s needs. These hormones affect nearly every system in your body, so the symptoms of this condition range widely, making it especially difficult to diagnose if you’re not looking for it.
In this article, we’ll cover the basics of hypothyroidism, why it’s important to catch it early, what symptoms to watch out for, and what to do if you suspect thyroid problems. As Scottsdale’s leading thyroid disease doctor, Dr. Roz understands how thyroid issues can impact your life since she struggled with thyroid disease. Today, she offers her expertise as a naturopathic medical doctor to design a holistic treatment that combats your thyroid issues. So you can get your life back on track, faster.
What is Hypothyroidism?
In the front of your neck, there’s a small, butterfly-shaped gland, called the thyroid gland. This unassuming little gland plays a big role in your body. It sends thyroid hormone to every tissue in your body, where it processes energy, helps you stay warm, and keeps your heart, brain, muscles, and other organs functioning how they should.
When your thyroid isn’t producing enough hormones, everything starts to slow down, and this underactivity of the thyroid gland is called hypothyroidism. There can be many causes of low thyroid hormone production, so let’s examine a few of them:
- Hashimoto’s Disease: This autoimmune disease causes the immune system to mistakenly attack the thyroid gland cells, causing there to not be enough to produce the amount of thyroid hormone the body needs.
- Removal of Thyroid Gland: This is sometimes necessary due to Graves’ Disease, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer. A partial removal may allow the body to make enough hormones, but a full removal will result in hypothyroidism.
- Iodine Deficiency: The thyroid needs iodine to function, so an imbalance of iodine can cause it not to produce enough thyroid hormone.
- Other causes include congenital hypothyroidism, pituitary gland damage, radiation treatment, medications, and thyroiditis. With so many possible causes, it’s no surprise that nearly 5 out of every 100 individuals have hypothyroidism.
Common Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
One of the reasons hypothyroidism goes undetected is because the symptoms vary greatly from person to person. One way to figure out the likelihood of your symptoms being related to your thyroid or not is to ask yourself if you’ve always had the symptom (less likely to be hypothyroidism) or if it’s a change from how you’ve felt in the past (more likely to be hypothyroidism).
To monitor symptoms effectively, you need to be familiar with the possible symptoms. Symptoms can happen in nearly every system in the body, so we’ve broken it down into three main areas: physical, cognitive, and issues with other systems.
Physical Symptoms
These are physical changes to how your body looks and feels, such as:
- Fatigue
- Weight Gain
- Cold Intolerance
- Dry Skin
- Brittle Hair and Nails
- Joint and Muscle Pain
- Muscle Weakness or Cramps
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Cognitive Symptoms
These are changes that affect how your brain functions, such as:
- Memory Issues
- Depression
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Slower Thoughts and Movement
Impact on Other Systems
These changes affect other systems in the body and can have a wide range of symptoms:
- Reproductive System
- Early onset puberty in children
- Irregular periods
- Heavy periods
- Loss of libido
- Cardiovascular System
- Slower-than-usual heart rate
- Higher blood pressure
- Fluid retention
- Edema
- Increased cholesterol levels
- Gastrointestinal System
- Heartburn
- Constipation
- Bloating
Recognizing Hypothyroidism in Specific Populations
Now that we’ve seen how widely varied the symptoms of an underactive thyroid can be, we’ll take a closer look at how they manifest differently in three populations. Women, older adults, and children can experience any of the symptoms listed above, but there are challenges specific to each population.
Hypothyroidism in Women
Women are five to eight times more likely to have a thyroid condition than men. The thyroid gland helps control your menstrual cycle, so when something is off with your thyroid, your cycle is likely to suffer. It’s common for women with hypothyroidism to have irregular, heavy, or painful periods. They may also experience amenorrhea, where your period stops for several months or more. Issues with your cycle can cause ovulation to be irregular or stop altogether, making it difficult to get pregnant.
Menopause
When thyroid disease is caused by an autoimmune disease, it affects other glands, including the ovaries. This can lead to early menopause (before the age of 40). And speaking of menopause, hypothyroidism is more likely to occur after menopause. Unfortunately, many cases of hypothyroidism go undiagnosed because the symptoms are similar to menopause symptoms, making getting a diagnosis difficult.
Pregnancy
Thyroid hormones are important for a healthy fetus, playing a role in its brain and nervous system development. During the first 18-20 weeks, the baby relies on their mother for at least part of the necessary thyroid hormone. In addition to the role it plays in development, severe untreated hypothyroidism can lead to complications for the mother and baby, such as:
- Preeclampsia
- Anemia
- Miscarriage
- Low Birthweight
- Stillbirth
- Rare Cases of Congestive Heart Failure
Postpartum
Postpartum thyroiditis affects 1 in 20 women in the year after they give birth, though it’s more common in women with type 1 diabetes. Inflammation can cause thyroid hormone to leak out, initially leading to hyperthyroidism for up to three months. Damage during this time may then lead to hypothyroidism, which typically resolves within a year, although it doesn’t go away at all for some women.
Awareness in the postpartum phase can prevent a misdiagnosis of postpartum depression or “baby blues,” which is important to get the right treatment.
Hypothyroidism in Older Adults
Studies show that between 7-14% of older adults have hypothyroidism, and its prevalence increases with age. The difficulty in this population is that the symptoms are easily mistaken for normal signs of aging, making the process of getting a diagnosis more challenging. They may experience the same symptoms as younger adults, but they are more likely to attribute the symptoms to the effects of aging or other conditions.
The most common reported symptoms for seniors include:
- A slower heart rate
- Low tolerance to cold
- High blood pressure
- A pale appearance
- Dry skin
- Coarse hair
- A hoarse voice
- Slurred speech
- Changes in mental function and memory
Serious complications from hypothyroidism are more common in older adults, so it’s crucial to be aware of the symptoms, contact your doctor, and get treatment as soon as you suspect there may be an issue.
Hypothyroidism in Children and Teens
An underactive thyroid is less common in children, but that doesn’t mean we never see it. It can be difficult to detect because it can have a slow onset that takes many years. Most symptoms are the same in children and teens as they are in adults, however, hypothyroidism can affect growth, development, and puberty in teens and children. There are two additional symptoms to watch for that can help you get a diagnosis early:
- Slow growth – Monitoring a child’s height increase according to their expected growth curve is a helpful way to keep an eye on this. If there is a pattern of being under the expected curve, especially if that distance increases over time, it could be caused by hypothyroidism.
- Early or late onset puberty in adolescents can also indicate an underactive thyroid.
When to See a Doctor
Hypothyroidism can cause a host of health problems and frustrating symptoms, and if left untreated the damage can be severe. Fortunately, early diagnosis and treatment can prevent many of these issues and give you the relief you’re looking for, so contact your doctor right away if you suspect hypothyroidism or other thyroid disorders.
When you meet with your doctor, start by giving them a detailed description of the symptoms you’ve been experiencing. Be sure to mention if you have a family history of thyroid disease or any other risk factors. Your doctor will then do a physical exam and blood tests. Many conventional doctors only test for TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone), but this doesn’t always give a complete picture.
A more thorough panel of tests may include some or all of the following:
- Free T3 (the active form of thyroid hormone)
- Reverse T3 (an inactive form of T3)
- Free T4 (a precursor to active thyroid hormone)
- Anti-thyroid thyroglobulin antibodies (an autoimmune marker)
- Anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (an autoimmune marker)
- Thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin, or TSI (an autoimmune marker)
Once the tests have been run, your doctor will create a treatment plan that may include medications, dietary and lifestyle changes, and treatment for underlying health concerns contributing to your thyroid issues. Another treatment option is thyroid hormone replacement therapy, which can replace the missing thyroid hormone and return your body to normal functioning.
Managing Hypothyroidism
For many people, hypothyroidism is a lifelong diagnosis. The good news is that with a few tools, you can stay healthy and feel your best even with hypothyroidism. This is where a doctor with a holistic approach can be a significant resource. Not only will they prescribe necessary medications, but they will help you monitor your thyroid health, make lifestyle changes that have an impact, and provide support as you navigate your diagnosis.
Because so many things can affect your thyroid health, regular monitoring is an important step. Your doctor will help you determine how frequently you need blood tests, and will also monitor your symptoms and physical health changes. Ongoing monitoring like this ensures that your condition is effectively managed so you can feel your best every day.
In addition to medical treatment, some lifestyle changes can support your thyroid health. Getting enough sleep and managing your stress effectively can improve immune system health and help your thyroid function better. Exercise can also positively impact your immune system, plus it releases hormones that boost your energy levels and mood, helping to combat some of the symptoms of an underactive thyroid. Finally, tweaking your diet to prioritize healthy, whole foods over processed foods or those high in sugar can improve your health and help manage your thyroid issues.
Living with any chronic health condition can be taxing, so don’t be afraid to get support. Educate yourself, consult with your doctor regularly, and connect with support groups for people living with hypothyroidism. This will make the process more manageable and help you feel less alone. Plus, you may end up with helpful tips and delicious recipes you wouldn’t have thought of otherwise.
Help for Hypothyroidism
Early detection of hypothyroidism is connected to the best outcomes for thyroid disease, but too many individuals are living without a diagnosis. Keep an eye out for symptoms for yourself and your loved ones, especially new or changing symptoms as these are the best indication that you may have an underactive thyroid.
If you suspect that you have hypothyroidism, are experiencing symptoms of an underactive thyroid, or notice a pattern of changes in your health, contact your healthcare provider right away. And if you need an experienced thyroid disease doctor in Scottsdale, AZ, contact Dr. Roz’s office to schedule an appointment.
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Sources
Statistics for undiagnosed cases
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34698615/
Symptoms
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/underactive-thyroid-hypothyroidism/
Pregnancy
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/pregnancy-thyroid-disease
Women
https://womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/thyroid-disease
Older Adults
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279005/.
Children & teens
https://www.thyroid.org/hypothyroidism-children-adolescents/
Lifestyle & Hypothyroidism
https://www.webmd.com/women/features/thyroid-sleep-stress-reduction
