All about hypothyroidism
- 1. Runninghead: Hypothyroidism 1 An Understanding of Hypothyroidism Sharon Nemecek Fox Valley Technical College
- 2. HYPOTHYROIDISM 2 Abstract The pituitary gland controls the thyroid gland and will start making TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) which causes the thyroid gland to make more hormones. The thyroid gland is an important part of the body that regulates our metabolism. Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones to function correctly. This can occur to someone of any age but is more common in women over the age of 50. Infants are screened for hypothyroidism at birth and this early screening is extremely important. A blood test is needed to verify if hormone therapy is required because if it is determined that the thyroid is not functioning properly, hormone therapy should be started as soon as possible. Early detection and starting them on hormone medication will allow the best chance of avoiding long term problems. Not starting the synthetic hormones may cause infants to have developmental delays. It is called congenital hypothyroidism when an infant is born with a non-functioning thyroid. No matter what age the person is who is diagnosed as having a low or non-functioning thyroid, it is very important to start medication as soon as possible. Taking a small pill every day is a simple solution to prevent bigger issues.
- 3. HYPOTHYROIDISM 3 An Understanding of Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism is a condition that affects people of all ages. The thyroid is an important gland in our body that regulates our metabolism. I decided to write on this subject because one of my children was born with congenital hypothyroidism and I take medication for my thyroid as well. The thyroid is an important part of the endocrine system which makes it an interesting subject to research. The Function of the Thyroid Gland The thyroid gland is the gland located in the lower front of your neck that creates the thyroid hormone.(“What does the Thyroid Gland Do,”n.d.,para.-1). This is an important function because it helps your body’s metabolism which effects how the body runs. If it is not working correctly you may not feel well. The thyroid gland is regulated by the pituitary gland. (“What does the Thyroid Gland do,”n.d.,para.-2-4). If your thyroid is not functioning correctly you may feel sleepy, chilled, your skin may be dry, your heart beat may be slower, and you might have an issue with gaining pounds and have some constipation.(“What does the Thyroid Gland do?”n.d.,para-8). How the Thyroid Works The thyroid gland affects many parts of your body and how they function including body temperature, heartbeat, digestion and even your muscles. It will extrude numerous hormones. The most common hormone is thyroxine or T4.(“Picture of the Thyroid,”2014-Nov-16,para-3). Eating food with iodine helps the thyroid work better, "The thyroid gland uses iodine from food to make two hormones: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4),”(“Thyroid Disease: How your Thyroid Works,”2007-2013,para.1-2). Foods that are rich in iron are sea foods, dairy products
- 4. HYPOTHYROIDISM 4 and also salt that has been iodized.(What Does the Thyroid Gland Do?”n.d.,para.4). The pituitary gland regulates how the thyroid works. “It releases the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).”(Thyroid Disease: How your Thyroid Works,”2007-2013,para.3). This prompts the thyroid to release the thyroid hormones. The pituitary gland determines if the right amount has been released but if it still determines there is not enough, it will keep releasing TSH to show that the thyroid is not producing enough of the thyroid hormone. This would be an indication of hypothyroidism.(“Thyroid Disease: How your Thyroid Works.”2007-2013,para.3-4). People who Get Hypothyroidism No one is immune from getting hypothyroidism but it is more common in women than in men especially those over the age of 50. There is no clear reason why this is the case except for the fact that one type is Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism which is an autoimmune disease and for some reason autoimmune diseases occur in women more than men.(“Hypothyroidism in Men vs Women,”2014-June-11,para.3). Children may also get the disease and infants are screened for it at birth because it is important to start hormone therapy as early as possible. There may be a structural problem or inflammation of the thyroid which would cause someone young to acquire hypothyroidism. If babies are born with the disease it is called congenital hypothyroidism.(“Hypothyroidism in Infants and Children.”n.d.,para..-4). Some Known Causes There are different causes for your body to stop making the thyroid hormone but the most likely reason could be from an acquired autoimmune disease like Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. What it does is convince your immune system to go after the cells that produce the thyroid hormone. If you have had surgery on your thyroid it also might cause your thyroid not to function correctly.
- 5. HYPOTHYROIDISM 5 Sometimes when only one side of the thyroid is removed by surgery, the other side will step up and function adequately. If someone has had radiation treatment in the throat area it also might cause the thyroid to stop functioning properly. There may be cases where someone has gotten an infection and it will cause the thyroid to become inflamed and cause problems with how the thyroid works, but in a majority of the cases this is a temporary issue. Some types of medications could also affect the thyroid.(“What’s Causing My Low Thyroid Level?”,n.d.,para.1- 8). Hypothyroidism in Infants and Small Children When a baby is born one of the screenings the hospital will run is to see how the infant’s thyroid is functioning. If it is determined that it is not, they will run a follow-up test to verify the results. If that test validates the first test, the infant will be diagnosed with Congenital Hypothyroidism.(“Follow-Up Testing”,2015,para.2). The reason the infant may have this problem may be because their thyroid did not develop as it should have or that the pituitary gland is not signaling the thyroid to produce the hormones. Another reason would be that for some reason the formation of the thyroid hormones is not functioning. Most likely the condition in infants is probably because the thyroid gland was not formed the way it should. More girls than boys are born with this condition.(Neonatal Hypothyroidism,2015-Nov-2,para.3-4). If an infant has hypothyroidism there may be some of the following indications: yellow appearance of skin and eyes, tiredness, constipation, poor muscle tone, puffy eyes, the tongue may be swollen, clammy skin, extended stomach, their cry may sound hoarse, and their growth may not be on track with other infants.(About Primary Congenital Hypothyroidism,n.d.,para.2).
- 6. HYPOTHYROIDISM 6 Treatment and Prognosis of Congenital Hypothyroidism Early detection of congenital hypothyroidism is very important to the outcome in infants. A medication called Thyroxine is prescribed and the child will be monitored regularly by having lab work done.(Neonatal Hypothyroidism,2015-Nov-19,para.8-9). If the infant is started on the thyroid medication within the first month of life the prognosis is good that they will develop normally and will avoid mental retardation.(Neonatal Hypothyroidism,2015-Nov-19,para.10). Untreated congenital hypothyroidism can affect the child’s intelligence and development and they also might develop a heart condition.(Neonatal Hypothyroidism,2015-Nov-19,Para.11). Taking the thyroid hormone is something that the infant will need to take their entire life. Dosages may need to be adjusted as they grow. Even if the hormone therapy is started early there still may be some developmental delays.(About Primary Congenital Hypothyroidism,Expected Outcome,2015,para.2-3). Healthy Lifestyles Even though hypothyroidism can be regulated by the proper dose of thyroid medication it also important take care of your body with healthy eating habits, staying physically fit and maintaining good mental health. Vegetables are important in a good diet but you may need to avoid turnips and cabbage because they may affect the production of the thyroid hormone.(8 Ways to Live Better With Hypothyroidism,2015,page 2,para.1). Being aware of your body and it’s limitations as well as leading a healthy lifestyle with the proper dosage of medication will help you in managing hypothyroidism.(8 Ways to Live Better With Hypothyroidism,2015,page4,para.1)
- 7. HYPOTHYROIDISM 7 References About Primary Congenital Hypothyroidism.(n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.babysfirsttest.org/newborn-screening/conditions/primary-congenital-hypothyroidism 8 Ways To Live Better With Hypothyroidism.(2015). Retrieved from http://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/healthy-living-with-hypothyroidism/live-better-pictures/#02 Hypothyroidism in Infants and Children .n.d. Retrieved from https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/children-s-health-issues/hormonal-disorders-in- children/hypothyroidism-in-infants-and-children Hypothyroidism in Men vs Women.2014-June-11. Retrieved from http://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/healthy-living-with-hypothyroidism/men-vs-women/ Neonatal Hypothyroidism.(2015-Nov-2). Retrieved from https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001193.htm Pictures of the Thyroid.2014-Nov-16. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/women/picture-of-the-thyroid Thyroid Disease: How Your Thyroid Works.(2007-2013). Retrieved from https://www.cardiosmart.org/~/media/Documents/Fact%20Sheets/en/abl3885.ashx What does the Thyroid Gland Do?.(n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.hormone.org/hormones-and-health/what-do-hormones-do/what-does-the-thyroid-gland- do
- 8. HYPOTHYROIDISM 8 What’s Causing My Low Thyroid Level.(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/women/guide/low-thyroid-causes