Symptoms of a Low Thyroid

Symptoms of hypothyroidism are often subtle and people suffering from hypothyroidism can go undiagnosed for long periods of time.

Some symptoms are often attributed to other conditions and unless all symptoms are discussed your doctor may not know to test for Hypothyroidism or low thyroid function.

Each person is different and symptoms will vary with the severity of the thyroid hormone deficiency and the length of time the body has been deprived of the proper amount of hormone. Although treatment of hypothyroidism can be quite easy in some individuals, others will have a difficult time finding the right type and amount of replacement thyroid hormone.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism include:

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight
• Coarse, dry hair
• Dry, rough pale skin
• Hair loss
• Cold intolerance (can't tolerate the cold like those around you)
• Muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches
• Constipation
• Depression
• Irritability
• Memory loss
• Abnormal menstrual cycles

Diagnosis of Low Thyroid Function

When properly diagnosed hypothyroidism can be easily and completely treated with a variety of treatments. A diagnosis of hypothyroidism can be suspected in patients with fatigue, cold intolerance, constipation, and dry, flaky skin. A blood test is needed to confirm the diagnosis. In the early stages of hypothyroidism the levels of T3 and T4 may be normal and another test of the TSH levels may need to be done.

Once the blood tests are complete there may be more testing done to see if there is an underlying cause to they hypothyroidism. A combination of your clinical history, antibody screening, and a thyroid scan can help diagnose the underlying thyroid problem more clearly. If a pituitary or hypothalamic cause is suspected, an MRI of the brain and other studies may be warranted.

Causes of Under Active Thyroid

Common causes of hypothyroidism include:

• Thyroid surgery. Part or all of the thyroid gland may be removed to treat disorders such as having too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism), an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) that makes swallowing difficult, thyroid cancer, or thyroid nodules that may be overactive or cancerous. Hypothyroidism results when the thyroid gland is removed or when remaining thyroid tissue does not function properly.
• Radioactive iodine therapy, which is often used to treat hyperthyroidism. Radioactive iodine therapy can destroy the thyroid gland, leading to hypothyroidism.
• External beam radiation, which is used to treat some cancers, such as Hodgkin's lymphoma. This radiation treatment can destroy the thyroid gland.

Less common causes include:

• Infections. Viral and bacterial infections can temporarily damage the thyroid gland, causing a short-term form of the condition. Hypothyroidism caused by infection usually does not result in permanent hypothyroidism.
• Medicines. Some medicines can interfere with normal production of thyroid hormone. Lithium carbonate is one of the most common medicines that causes hypothyroidism. Others include amiodarone and interferon alfa.
• Disorders of the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus. The pituitary gland and hypothalamus produce hormones that control the thyroid and, as a result, affect its ability to produce thyroid hormone.
• Congenital hypothyroidism. About 1 in 4,000 infants is born without a properly functioning thyroid gland. All children born in a hospital in the United States are tested at birth for hypothyroidism.

Natural Supplement for Thyroid Function - Thyax

Thyax is a natural supplement designed to help your thyroid function normally. As a dietary supplement, take two capsules in the morning and two capsules in the evening with 8 ounces of water.

A few active ingredients in Thyax are:

• Acetyl L-Tyrosine, L-tyrosine complex - Tyrosine is required for synthesis of thyroid hormones, and deficiency of phenylalanine and L-tyrosine has been associated with hypothyroidism.
• Iodine (Kelp) - Iodine is a trace element that is required for thyroid hormone synthesis. Deficiency of iodine causes goiter, thyrotoxicosis and developmental disorders in children.
• Vitamin B1 (thiamine HCl), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin),Vitamin B3 (niacin),Vitamin B5 (d-Calcium Pantothenate) - These B vitamins are essential for energy production, mood, nervous system function and wound healing.
• Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCL),Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin), Folic Acid - Required for optimal function of the nervous and immune systems, these B vitamins are useful in reducing levels of homocysteine, a detrimental amino acid associated with heart disease.

For a complete list of ingredients in Thyax Click Here.

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