Thyroid Hypothyroidism - Symptoms, Nutrition, How To Treat?

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism of the thyroid gland is a disease that was first described in 1873 by W. Gall. This term characterizes a state of the body in which there is a low level of thyroid hormones due to a decrease in the functionality of the thyroid gland. When the disease is most severe, it is called myxedema.

The disease is most prevalent among women, as up to 19 cases out of 1000 surveyed fall to their share, and among men, only 1 person with this diagnosis will be identified for a similar number of patients. But quite often, hypothyroidism occurs in a latent form and is rarely detected.

The reason leading to such a disease is the destruction of thyroid tissue, this may be due to an insufficient content of iodine entering the body, as well as hereditary and acquired diseases. Therefore, both congenital and acquired hypothyroidism are distinguished.

Content:

• Symptoms of thyroid hypothyroidism
• Nutrition for hypothyroidism
• How is thyroid hypothyroidism treated?

Symptoms of thyroid hypothyroidism

As for the symptoms of hypothyroidism, patients can present a wide variety of complaints. The degree of their severity, as well as the rate of increase, will depend on how much the disease has progressed:

• Fatigue and weakness, the presence of heart pain, and decreased performance are the earliest symptoms of hypothyroidism. But since similar conditions are characteristic of a host of other diseases, patients are observed for a long time by a doctor with other diagnoses, for example, "anemia" or "depression".
• When hypothyroidism begins to take on a more pronounced form, then the symptoms become more characteristic. The face becomes puffy, mask-like and pale.
• Patients often complain of chills, even in warm weather, so they begin to dress out of season, this is due to impaired thermoregulation, as well as increased heat transfer.

• Often with hypothyroidism, anemia and a slowdown in blood flow are observed, which affects the temperature of the skin and their color. The skin becomes cold to the touch, but it looks pale. At the same time, against the background of the general "blue", women often have bright, almost scarlet cheeks.
• On the elbows, knees and feet, the skin becomes keratinized, flaky and dry.
• The vocal cords and tongue swell, as a result, the voice becomes lower and rougher, and speech slows down, it may be fuzzy.
• Teeth marks appear on the tongue, especially on the sides.
• Apnea is a fairly common companion of hypothyroidism.
• Often there is swelling of the middle ear, and as a result, hearing loss.
• Hair begins to fall out, becomes dry and brittle. And this applies not only to the head, but also to the pubis, armpits and eyebrows.
• In connection with a decrease in the activity of the sebaceous and sweat glands and an increase in the circulation of beta-carotene in the blood, symptoms such as: yellowness of the skin, orange spots on the palms are observed. That is why quite often hypothyroidism is confused with chronic hepatitis.
• Muscle strength decreases, their increased fatigue appears, myalgia, pains and cramps often occur. Against this background, the muscles themselves become denser, immobile, their mass increases.
• With prolonged untreated hypothyroidism in adults, bone damage may occur. But more often this symptom concerns children and adolescents who have a lag in the "bone" age, shortening of the limbs. Arthrosis, synovitis, arthralgia may develop.
• For even the early stages of hypothyroidism, myocardial damage is characteristic. Severe shortness of breath appears, which is not associated with increased physical exertion, pain in the heart is observed.

• A very characteristic symptom of hypothyroidism is bradycardia with a small pulse. It accounts for up to 60% of all heart diseases associated with insufficient production of thyroid hormones. Tachycardia occurs only in 10% of cases, as well as arterial hypertension. With adequate therapy, these disorders in the work of the heart can completely disappear.
• The appearance of fluid in the pericarditis is a clear symptom of hypothyroidism. It accumulates slowly, but systemically.
• The occurrence of frequent bronchitis, pneumonia with a protracted course and without fever is a sure symptom of hypothyroidism.
• Disturbances from the gastrointestinal tract are often observed, they are expressed in flatulence, constipation, nausea and loss of appetite. Stones form in the gallbladder.
• Inhibition, decreased attention, perception and speed of reactions are the main symptoms of hypothyroidism. In general, mental disorders such as apathy and indifference to the environment are characteristic of all patients, they are expressed to varying degrees, depending on the degree of "progression" of the disease.

Nutrition for hypothyroidism

If a disease such as hypothyroidism has been diagnosed, then you should definitely visit a nutritionist or ask your doctor about a reasonable diet. In this regard, there are the following recommendations:

• First of all, you should include in the diet foods rich in calcium, this includes all vegetables with green leaves, orange juice and breakfast cereals, namely any cereals.
• Carbonated drinks are absolutely prohibited. It is advisable to reduce the consumption of eggs and meat, as they are high in phosphorus.
• If possible, all fats should be replaced with vegetable ones; you should not consume a lot of sugar and foods containing carbohydrates.
• All foods rich in fiber are enemies of hypothyroidism, they accelerate a slow metabolism, stimulate the production of hormones.
• If you suffer from such a frequent symptom of the disease as constipation, then you should include fermented milk products in the diet.
• In order to reduce puffiness, you need to eat less salt, or even replace it with lemon juice.
• It is healthy to consume beef liver, fish, cheese and cottage cheese.
• Iodine-rich seafood plays an important role in the treatment of hypothyroidism.

The general recommendation should include regular consumption of food, but in small portions.

On the subject: Diet for a week with hypothyroidism

How is thyroid hypothyroidism treated?

Modern methods of treating hypothyroidism include both drug therapy and the use of hormonal drugs in combination with a specific diet.

Since the disease occurs due to a lack of production of thyroid hormones, then their amount in the body should be replenished. To do this, doctors prescribe certain medications that should be taken orally. The most priority is a modern drug called eutirox or L - thyroxine, which contains a thyroid hormone in a synthetic form.

Sometimes doctors prescribe a drug made from the dried animal thyroid gland. But it is prescribed less and less, since it is quite difficult to calculate the correct dosage.

As for the therapy of the elderly, who often have hypothyroidism, they are prescribed eutirox in a small dose, since even a slight excess can cause dangerous side effects. Its increase occurs gradually until the levels of the hormone in the blood return to normal. But quite often, drug therapy is prescribed for life.

As for intravenous administration of drugs, this is done only in critical cases, for example, with hypothyroid coma.

The author of the article: Kuzmina Vera Valerievna | Endocrinologist, nutritionist

Education: Diploma of the Russian State Medical University named after NI Pirogov with a degree in General Medicine (2004). Residency at Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, diploma in Endocrinology (2006).