Saturday, July 3, 2010

Why A Person Gets Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is a relatively common medical condition and around 3% to 5% of the population have it. It is marked by a lack of thyroid hormones which could directly or indirectly include the thyroid gland. Here are some of the key factors behind hypothyroidism.

One of the key cause of hypothyroidism is the hereditary condition referred to as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. It is an autoimmune condition wherein the immune system assaults the thyroid gland. Due to this, the thyroid gland becomes enlarged and has a decreased capability to produce thyroid hormones. Women are 5 to 10 times more prone to have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis than males, therefore making them more susceptible to hypothyroiditis.

Iodine deficiency may also result in hypothyroidism. Iodine is an crucial constituent in the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine and therefore lack of it in the body might cause difficulties in the creation of these vital hormones.

Another root cause of an under active thyroid is a condition of the thyroid glands referred to as lymphocytic thyroiditis. A white blood cell called lymphocyte leads to the inflammation of the thyroid glands. This is very frequent after giving birth, affecting 8% of women after giving birth. The illness will be started by a hyperthyroid period in which the thyroid gland secretes abnormal amounts of thyroid hormones. It is accompanied by the hypothyroid period which can last as much as 6 months.

Ironically, a few medical treatments could also trigger an under active thyroid. Iodine-131, a radioisotope of iodine that is used to help remedy a thyroid condition called Graves’ disease, can severely affect the thyroid gland. Other drugs which are utilized to address hyperthyroidism could also trigger an under active thyroid too such as methimazole and propylthiouracil. The psychiatric medication lithium and medicines that contain considerable amounts of iodine like amiodarone and potassium iodide can also alter the thyroid function, resulting in the hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism that indirectly involves the thyroid glands are classified as secondary and tertiary hypothyroidism. This happens when there is problem in the pituitary glands and the hypothalamus, respectively, and they can't signal the thyroid glands to generate sufficient hormones. This occurs when the pituitary glands are unable to release thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), usually because of a tumor in the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Dealing With Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a long-term ailment and thus those people afflicted with it just have to endure it throughout all of their life. Hypothyroid people often have underactive thyroid glands and therefore doesn't generate enough thyroid hormones that the body requires for metabolism. The slowed rate of metabolism can greatly have an effect on a person's life and for that reason particular lifestyle changes are essential to be able to properly manage the effects of this disorder. Below are great tips on how one can live well with hypothyroidism.

One of many lifestyle changes that those afflicted with this situation can start with is modifying their diet. Some of the recommended foods for those who have an underactive thyroid are fish, nuts, kelp, linseed and flaxseed oil, rice, fruit. Also, eat meals that are abundant in iodine to spark thyroid hormone production, meals abundant in selenium to help your body transform T4 hormones into its active form, T3, and fiber-rich foods as it can help with the constipation that comes with hypothyroidism, and also in managing weight gain which is also another consequence. In addition they need to stay away from alcohol, refined sugar, saturated fats, aspartame, monosodium glutamate, refined salt, ceffeine drinks, and foods that suppress iodine levels such as cauliflower, brocolli, cabbage, and soya beans.

Exercise is also a vital lifestyle change that folks with the hypothyroid condition needs to include in their life. Exercising provides lots of benefits for those afflicted such as raising the reduced serotonin levels, enhancing the suppressed metabolism rate, and most of all, using up the excess calories that considerably contribute to the weight gain.

Last but not least, you must make certain that you're having appropriate hormone treatment. You need the therapy to compensate for your deficiency of thyroid hormones and help increase your low metabolism rate. Do not take your medication at night as it may disturb your sleeping. If you feel unsatisfied regarding your standard synthetic T4 medication, consult your physician concerning alternative solutions like supplementary T3 or desiccated thyroid extract. Their proponents claim that they can better take care of other symptoms such as brain fog, depression, and fatigue. Also ensure that you aren't taking any food or medication that will compromise the effectiveness of your treatment. Also, be sure that your dosage is regularly examined to ensure its effectiveness.