Hyperthyroidism is a common problem and completely curable. Before discussing how to cure hypothyroidism permanently, let’s understand what thyroid means and how it affects our body.
People coming to their middle-age often suffer from various problems relating to their skin, hair, muscular cramps, or even loss of libido. Usually, they do not pay attention to these ailments assuming these are the factors of aging.
Don’t ignore such symptoms as it could be a warning bell for hypothyroidism. The signs are discussing in detail below. However, there is no need to worry or panic, even if you suffer from the disease.
Table of Contents
What is thyroid disease?
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland. It is situated low on the front of our neck precisely lying below our Adam’s apple, along the front of the windpipe.
It has two side lobes, connected by a bridge (isthmus) in the middle. You can quickly feel the thyroid gland if it is of average size.
The function of the thyroid:
You must have heard the word ‘metabolism.’ Metabolism is where the body cell derives the energy from food and helps to maintain a perfect equilibrium in your body. It is the presence of thyroid in your body that keeps us always on the move.
Those who have less thyroid hormone in their body become weak. The metabolism affects body temperature, heartbeat, and how efficiently you burn the calories.
What is Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is the disease where the thyroid glands are unable to create the needed amount of thyroid hormone. It happens due to the imbalance of hormones present in the body.
People having less thyroid hormone in the blood are prone to this disease.
Let’s take a glance at the causes
Causes of hypothyroidism:
- Autoimmune thyroiditis
- Removal of thyroid glands
- Using radioactive therapy
- Pituitary glands
Like Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis or inflammation of thyroid glands, autoimmune disease regarded as the primary cause of this ailment. This happens to the weak immune system of the individual. Learn 9 Best ways to boost the immune system naturally
A large percentage of the thyroid cells are either damaged or killed due to the disease. The body is unable to produce the required number of hormones due to this.
The second primary reason for surgical removal of the thyroid and radiation treatment or ‘medical treatment.’ The removal of thyroid often leads to many side effects, including the cancer of thyroid. However, there are times the surgery is conducting to remove an annoying nodule, leaving half of the thyroid in the neck undisturbed.
The problem may not arise since the left produces enough hormones behind the thyroid lobe and isthmus that is enough to meet the body’s requirements.
Other ailments like goiters can treat with radioactive iodine therapy, which is applied to kill a portion of the thyroid to prevent goiters from growing larger or producing too much hyperthyroidism.
However, there are disadvantages of using radioactive iodine treatment also. Often, the patient may turn hypothyroidism as the therapy may damage numerous cells in the body.
The pituitary gland stops from producing the required amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). It observed that the TSH levels are high among children and teenagers and older people compared to the patients in their middle age, making them prone to various thyroid problems.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism:
- Muscle pull or cramping pain
- Abnormal menstrual cycles
- Decreased libido
- Constipation
- Tiredness
- Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight
- Rough or dryness of hair
- Weakness
- Anemic or dry skin
- Loss of hair
- Unable to bear the cold temperature. Others may not have any problem
- Depression
- Loss of temper
- Loss of memory
These are the common symptoms found among the patients suffering from hypothyroidism. It believed that a patient suffering from the disease might show anyone or multiple signs. The symptoms are varying among different people.
Medical science does not claim that all patients suffering from hypothyroidism will have similar symptoms.
It has observed that many patients show no signs of hypothyroidism or go unnoticed. Therefore it is always advisable to consult the doctor if anybody has any health problems or displays any symptoms.
It is better to get diagnosed as early as possible. Try to start early treatment for better recovery. There are instances where the problem turned serious due to late diagnosis or delay in treatment.
Is Hyperthyroidism curable?
Yes, hypothyroidism is entirely curable, provided the patient gets diagnosed at an early stage, and starts the treatment. It may take some time, but there are chances that you would be completely curable. There is different treatment for different symptoms.
The danger being prone to hypothyroidism:
There are various risk factors for hypothyroidism. A personal history of chronic health-related issues, especially like type 1 diabetes, pernicious anemia, etc.
It is also advisable to know about the family history as this may help the doctor to cure you fast. However, the problem may aggravate if left untreated.
It may lead to severe issues like life-threatening depression, heart failure, or coma.
Is the age factor important?
Though the problem of hypothyroidism may occur at any age, yet there is a constant risk factor with the increase of age. Those who are in middle age prone to this thyroid problem.
Women are more at risk:
Young women are prone to the disease as compared to their male counterparts. The problem may aggravate during pregnancy, after delivery, and around menopause. Left undetected may create numerous complications.
Women should take medical advice as they reach their middle age.
Also, read Post Pregnancy Depression: Do Not Ignore the Symptoms
How to diagnose hypothyroid?
It is effortless to diagnose the problem. A few simple blood tests can help to detect if the person is suffering from hypothyroidism or not.
However, there are instances when detailed tests were required. However, this is only in case of complications.
Summary
Like all ailments, there is a total cure to hypothyroidism too. The only thing you are required to do is consult your doctor immediately if you develop any of the symptoms discussed above.
Remember, prevention is always better than cure. Medical science has developed numerous medicines that will help to cure the problem completely. The only reply to how to cure hypothyroidism permanently is early diagnosis and early treatment.