Complications of hypothyroidism

You probably don’t think much about your thyroid. Fact is, that tiny gland in your neck has a huge job. It makes hormones that control your metabolism, the process that turns food into energy. It also has a hand in just about every other function in your body. Brain, muscles, digestion -- your thyroid makes them all run smoothly. When you don’t have enough thyroid hormone, a condition called hypothyroidism or low thyroid, your system slows down. Over time, you might forget things, feel cold, tired, or depressed, or you may put on a few pounds -- though most weight gain isn’t due to a sluggish thyroid. Most of these symptoms get better or go away when you replace the hormone your thyroid no longer makes. Man-made thyroid hormone works just like your own and can help get your body back on track. But if low levels aren't treated -- or you stop taking the medicine -- other conditions may pop up. Goiter This is swelling in your neck that happens if your thyroid gland is bigger than normal. When you don’t have enough thyroid hormone, your pituitary gland tells your thyroid to make more. It tries to keep up by growing larger. A goiter usually doesn’t hurt. But it can cause a cough or trouble swallowing. Taking thyroid hormone can stop a goiter from growing. But it may not get rid of it completely. Changes in Your Metabolism When your metabolism slows, many things can happen. You’ll probably feel tired and sluggish, be constipated, and you may gain weight, explains Adrian Dobs, MD...

Hypothyroidism Prognosis There is no cure for hypothyroidism. Treatment requires lifelong medication and lifestyle modifications. The prognosis for hypothyroidism is generally good when medication is started early. However, your proper dosage may take some time to figure out, and the dosage may need to be adjusted over time. Complications of Hypothyroidism Complications of hypothyroidism usually develop as a result of a lack of treatment. Myxedema coma is the most severe complication of hypothyroidism. It is a life-threatening condition from untreated, undertreated, or undiagnosed hypothyroidism that can lead to coma and organ failure. A Word From Verywell Hypothyroidism is a highly treatable health condition that usually carries a promising outlook with proper treatment. Finding the correct dose of medication for you may take some time, but once you do, you can expect to start feeling better within a couple of weeks. If you do not, seek immediate medical attention from your healthcare provider. • Gesing A. Thyroid Res. 2015;8(Suppl 1):A8. doi:10.1186/1756-6614-8-S1-A8 • Bano A, Dhana K, Chaker L, et al. JAMA Intern Med. 2017;177(11):1650. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.4836 • John Hopkins Lupus Center. • MedlinePlus. • Dortas SD Junior, De Araujo FM, Souza CR, et al. World Allergy Organ J. 2015;8(Suppl 1):A21. doi:10.1186/1939-4551-8-S1-A21

The thyroid hormones are needed for the body to function normally. The thyroid hormones are needed for the body to function normally. The hormones regulate growth and metabolism, thus, influencing every function of the body. The complications of • Goiter: This refers to the swelling in the front of the neck due to an enlarged thyroid gland. When the thyroid gland does not secrete enough thyroid hormones, the • Slowing of metabolism: this may make the person get tired easily and cause • • Skin and hair problems: the skin may become rough and dry. There may be hair fall or thinning of the hair. • • Nerve damage: Hypothyroidism can cause nerve damage ( • Sexual and reproductive issues: hypothyroidism can cause lowered • What is hypothyroidism? The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck. It makes the thyroid hormones, which are released into the blood and then carried to various tissues in the body. Thyroid hormones are needed for the body to use energy, maintain body temperature, and keep the brain, heart, muscles, and other organs working properly. Hypothyroidism is a medical condition in which the thyroid gland becomes underactive. The gland is not able to make enough Can having hypothyroidism affect getting pregnant? Women with untreated or under-treated hypothyroidism may find it difficult to conceive. Hypothyroidism may retard or prevent the release of the egg from the ovary. If If you have hypothyroidism and are planning to get ...

The thyroid is a small gland in the front of the neck. It makes hormones that regulate growth and metabolism. These hormones affect nearly every body function. Thyroid hormones can influence: • body temperature • weight • cardiovascular health • fertility Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. If your thyroid hormone levels are too low, you may have fatigue, digestive problems, sensitivity to cold temperatures, and menstrual irregularities. The condition can be managed with medication. If left untreated, though, hypothyroidism can lead to many complications. These include heart problems, nerve injury, infertility and in severe cases, death. Serious hypothyroidism can lower the kidney’s function. This is often due to decreased blood flow to the kidneys. You may have less ability to excrete water and absorb sodium. As a result, blood levels of sodium may be unusually low. Replacing thyroid hormones can fix these complications. But if extremely low hormone levels persist, recovery from these renal problems can take longer. Hypothyroidism reduces fertility in both men and women. Thyroid hormones regulate the metabolism of sex hormones, which control the production of sperm and eggs. In men, low levels of thyroid hormones have been linked to erectile dysfunction, abnormal sperm shape, and decreased libido. Men with hypothyroidism often also have low levels of testosterone. Evidence from multiple Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines a...