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Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is characterized by insufficient thyroid hormone in the body. Autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis can attack the thyroid gland and trigger hypothyroidism. Congenital disease or pituitary disorders are often the cause of hypothyroidism. Hormonal changes as during pregnancy or postpartum can lead to development of hypothyroidism. Iodine deficiency can lead to insufficient production of thyroid hormone. Since the thyroid hormone plays a crucial role in the overall functioning of your body and even your heart beat, hypothyroidism can trigger a slower metabolic rate.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue and weakness as well as frequent body ache. The patient suffering from hypothyroidism suffers hair loss and weight gain. There is depression and irritability. Women suffering hypothyroidism notice abnormal menstrual cycles and decreased libido. A person suffering hypothyroidism has increased sensitivity to cold and stiffness in the joints. Left untreated hypothyroidism leads to obesity, infertility and heart disease. Myxedema or advanced hypothyroidism is life-threatening. Hypothyroidism in children can lead to poor growth, delayed puberty and poor mental growth.

A blood test can detect hypothyroidism. However in early stages of hypothyroidism, the thyroid hormones might show normal levels. The TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) must be measured to check for any elevation. This in turn tends to reduce the production of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). An endocrinologist can help in diagnosing and treating hypothyroidism. Treatment for hypothyroidism involves daily routine of synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine.

Myxoedema

Lack of thyroid hormones causes hypothyroidism. Prolonged hypothyroidism can lead to myxoedema. Myxoedema is a disorder of the skin and tissue owing to long term hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism occurs due to surgical removal of thyroid glands, atrophic diseases, etc. Partial myxoedema/myxedema, can affect the lower legs of the person, this condition is referred to as pretibial myxedema. Rarely Grave’s disease can also lead to pretibial myxedema. This condition is very common in women, in particular middle aged women. Myxodema is also known as Gull’s disease. If this condition is left untreated, it can cause myxoedema coma. Myxoedema can be classified into myxoedema and operative myxoedema.

Myxoedema is accompanied by the following symptoms - coarse skin, thickening nose, thickening of the skin, puffiness of the eyes, swollen lips, mental disturbances, muscle pain abd lethargy. In advanced cases the thyroid gland shrinks and becomes a fibrous mass. Persons suffering from myxoedma might also suffer brittle hair, weight gain and constipation.

Blood tests are done to check for T3, T4, and TSH levels in the blood. Thyroid profile result helps in diagnosing the condition. In few cases nuclear imaging of the gland is done to study the gland. Thyroid biopsy is not required to diagnose this condition. Treating hypothyroidism is the treatment for myxoedema. Hypothyroidism is treated through thyroid hormone replacement therapy. In advanced cases of myxoedema, treatment gets difficult.

Thyroid specialist

Specialists who deal with thyroid problem are called thyroidologists. Thyroid is an endocrine gland. Therefore an endocrinologist who specializes in the endocrine system can also be consulted for thyroid problems and diseases. Thyroidologist and endocrinologist are specially trained doctors who diagnose and treat diseases affecting the thyroid gland. A thyroid specialist continues specialized education focused on thyroid issues after obtaining a Masters degree in medicine. He is qualified and trained to treat conditions that are complex and involve many systems within the body that may be affected due to thyroid imbalance.

A primary care doctor too often misses the diagnosis of a thyroid disease. Sometimes primary care doctors refer patients to a thyroid specialist when there is problem in the endocrine/ hormone systems. Thyroid specialists treat patients with too much or too little thyroid hormone. The thyroid specialist helps the patients to reach a hormone balance by replacing or blocking thyroid hormone. Thyroid specialists also receive special training to manage patients with thyroid growths or thyroid cancer and enlarged thyroid glands. There are times when the services of a thryoidologist or an endocrinologist become absolutely necessary.

A thyroid specialist has to be consulted when a patient is suffering from the hyperthyroid autoimmune - Graves' disease . This is a condition which can be treated only by a thyroid specialist and not by a regular GP. Graves's disease and hyperthyroid management involves a number of therapies, antithyroid drug use, radioactive iodine treatments and even surgery if necessary.

Evaluation and treatment for thyroid nodule can be rendered only by thyroid specialists. Thyroid nodule is evaluated by ultrasound and fine needle biopsy process. This is done to rule out the possibility of thyroid cancer.

Thyroid cancer is rare and less than 15000 new cases are diagnosed every year. An expert thyroid specialist is highly recommended to diagnose, evaluate, treat and help in long term follow up and support management of thyroid cancer.

Thyroid surgery is performed when the gland becomes so large that is cosmetically disfiguring. This is normally done if a thyroid has markedly enlarged for years. Thyroid surgery should be performed by an experienced thyroid surgeon. Only an experienced thyroid surgeon can handle the complications that can arise due to thyroid surgery.

A thyroid specialist can assess hypothyroidism levels. This is done by evaluation of TSH level. A thyroid specialist considers other options such as symptoms, family history and clinical factors to make a thyroid diagnosis.

After a person has been diagnosed for hypothyroidism, a thyroid specialist treats and manages the patient for other signs and symptoms as well. Such symptoms are weight gain, depression, brain fog, hair loss, shortness of breath, intolerance to heat and cold, muscle aches and joint pains, constipation, carpal tunnel, high cholesterol, infertility, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.