Hypothyroidism slows everything down
If the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones, the person’s whole life is impacted. They are tired and lethargic, feel the cold more easily and put on weight. An underactive thyroid often goes undetected for a long time because of the general nature of the symptoms.
Which symptoms indicate an underactive thyroid?
Because the signs of an underactive thyroid are so non-specific, the condition is difficult to recognise. «The person is listless, has less energy, can’t concentrate properly,» says Hans Steinert, Managing Director of the Thyroid Centre at Hirslanden Clinic, Zurich.
Typical symptoms
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Listlessness
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Reduced concentration
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Lack of energy
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Weight gain
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Fatigue
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Constipation
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Loss of libido
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Often feeling cold
What happens with an underactive thyroid?
An underactive thyroid – the medical term is hypothyroidism – means that the production of thyroid hormones is reduced. As a result, the person lacks the hormones required to regulate the body's metabolism and other important functions. The TSH level, which signalises to the brain how many hormones need to be produced, is high in the case of an underactive thyroid.
Who is affected and associated risk factors
As in all thyroid gland diseases, more women are affected than men. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a particularly frequent clinical picture among patients with hypothyroidism. Typical risk factors relating to Hashimoto's thyroiditis are smoking and stress. In Switzerland, around 0.5 to 1% of the population has an underactive thyroid.
Basically, everything functions more slowly because the body is lacking the thyroid hormones it needs.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis
Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a specific form of hypothyroidism that is relatively common in Switzerland. It's an autoimmune disease in which the thyroid gland is chronically inflamed. There are two ways in which Hashimoto's disease can progress:
- The thyroid gland becomes enlarged, but functions poorly.
- The thyroid gland diminishes in size. In medical terms, this is the atrophic form.
Hormone replacement therapy
Hashimoto's thyroiditis generally cannot be prevented. The chronic inflammation stops of its own accord. Hormone replacement therapy can be used to compensate for the missing hormones. «Many people take food supplements. However, this has no influence on the formation of thyroid hormones. With the right dosage of replacement thyroid hormones, a high quality of life is guaranteed,» says Hans Steinert. Once the thyroid levels have been rebalanced by the hormone replacement therapy, good nutrition can then enhance a person’s well-being.
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