Hypothyroidism in adults
Often people do not pay attention to constant fatigue, lack of desire to live and move forward. And this may indicate that you have or are developing hypothyroidism. We will tell you about its symptoms, treatment and answer popular questions

What is hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a disease caused by a long-term, persistent lack of thyroid hormones.

According to the doctor, this is a condition in which a person constantly feels tired. The thyroid gland produces hormones, they are also responsible for the metabolism in our body. If these hormones are not enough for any reason, hypothyroidism occurs. This is not a separate disease, but a syndrome. This condition occurs due to various diseases of the thyroid gland.

Causes of hypothyroidism in adults

– Hypothyroidism, unlike the disease with the prefix “hyper”, is less common. But the reasons for its occurrence are more serious. These are tumors, both benign (thyroid adenoma) and malignant. Any neoplasm replaces part of the thyroid tissue with its own, as a result of which the “butterfly” decreases in volume, and its size becomes insufficient to produce hormones in the right amount, says Sofya Shubaeva.

According to the expert, with hypothyroidism, the metabolism does not accelerate, but, on the contrary, slows down. Therefore, a woman begins to gain weight at an alarming rate, and even diets and increased aerobic exercise cannot stop this process.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism in adults

The following signs may lead you to think that you have hypothyroidism:

  • lack of energy, drowsiness;
  • Decreased performance;
  • Decreased body temperature, chilliness – a constant feeling of cold;
  • Dryness, brittleness, hair loss;
  • Tendency to constipation;
  • Violation of the menstrual cycle.

The skin during hypothyroidism is dry and rough – the syndrome leads to calcification of the skin, making it thick and dry, with a scaly texture.

Hair falls out and becomes thinner – an excessive release of the hormone that is produced in this gland can cause hair to become thin, and its deficiency can lead to hair loss altogether.

Depression and sudden anxiety are also signs of hypothyroidism. If you’ve been feeling anxious lately, chances are your thyroid isn’t working properly. An overproduction of thyroid hormones leads to more brain stimulation, which makes patients nervous. Hyperthyroidism has the opposite effect: it makes a person depressed and tired.

Treatment of hypothyroidism in adults

– With any tumors, jokes are bad, therefore, if you find the first symptoms of hypothyroidism, you should immediately consult a doctor. Treatment is prescribed depending on what kind of formation will be diagnosed. If it is benign, surgery can be avoided. A small tumor does not require surgical removal. The doctor will simply prescribe hormonal therapy: you will have to take drugs that will make up for the deficiency of triiodothyronine and thyroxine in the body. Well, if the neoplasm is constantly increasing, then it will be necessary to lie on the surgical table. There is no need to delay the visit to the doctor: the sooner the neoplasm is excised, the higher the chance of a cure, says Sofya Shubaeva.

Diagnostics

The doctor says that with the above symptoms, you need to consult an endocrinologist. He will prescribe the necessary tests, conduct an ultrasound scan and issue his verdict.

There is also a test for determining hypothyroidism. It is he who will help you and your doctor more accurately diagnose hyperthyroidism.

Answer yes or no to the questions below:

  • I often have a feeling of anxiety, I am often irritated;
  • My hands and fingers tremble slightly;
  • My skin and hair are thinner and my nails are growing faster than usual;
  • My pulse quickened;
  • My eyes seem to be wide open or bulging;
  • I sweat more than usual;
  • I am often troubled by weakness;
  • I have the feeling that all bodily functions are accelerated, including bowel activity and metabolic rate;
  • My weight is dropping despite increased appetite;
  • My menstrual cycle has changed.

– If you agree with five or more statements, tell your doctor about your symptoms. It is possible that you have hyperthyroidism, the doctor notes.

Modern treatments

As the doctor said above, hypothyroidism is treated with hormones. The goal of treatment for hypothyroidism is to sustainably maintain thyroid hormone levels in the body that meet physiological needs. Treatment will continue until the clinical and laboratory manifestations of hypothyroidism disappear.

Prevention of hypothyroidism in adults at home

– If we are talking about congenital hypothyroidism, then for preventive purposes, pregnant women must be prescribed iodine preparations (lack of this element in the body of a future mother is one of the most common causes of developmental delay in babies). To prevent congenital hypothyroidism in a future baby, his parents are also recommended to visit a geneticist, especially if any of the parents or relatives had thyroid pathologies, the doctor says.

Hypothyroidism is prevented by a healthy lifestyle, a diet rich in macro and micro nutrients, and taking vitamins as recommended by a doctor. Also, for any problems with the thyroid gland or hormones, it is worth contacting an endocrinologist in time so as not to lead to hypothyroidism.

Popular questions and answers

Answers to popular questions Sofya Shubaeva – endocrinologist of the highest qualification category.

Is male infertility related to hypothyroidism?

Until recently, experts believed that the thyroid gland and its hormones do not affect male strength and the ability to procreate. But recent research proves otherwise.

Male infertility can be caused by thyroid problems, in particular hypothyroidism.

In men, of course, this disease is less common than in women, but it still happens. With it, a deficiency of the thyroid hormone develops, and as a result, there is a lack of sex hormones. As a result, the entire genitourinary system fails, which leads to male infertility.

How to recognize hypothyroidism in time?

The syndrome also affects mood: a person suffering from it becomes apathetic and lethargic. His attention is scattered, he does not perceive new information well and it is difficult to remember it. He is overcome by laziness and a general breakdown. Often, depression develops against the background of this picture.

Another symptom is swelling. Deficiency of thyroid hormones slows down the entire metabolism, including water and minerals. Because of this, the fluid is poorly excreted from the body. By the way, the whole body swells, but most of all goes to the face.

What vitamins and minerals are needed for the thyroid gland?

Vitamin A. Thanks to him, cell growth and regulation of the formation of proteins occurs in the thyroid gland. Most vitamin A is found in spinach and carrots. It is not absorbed on its own, so it is recommended to take it in combination with vitamin E. This rule applies not only to medicines, but also to food products.

Vitamin E. A lack of vitamin E in the body leads to a violation of the absorption of iodine, which ultimately causes the formation of a diffuse or nodular goiter. A considerable amount of it is found in dark green vegetables, liver, sunflower seeds, cabbage, nuts, eggs, citrus fruits. Do not forget about corn, olive, and rapeseed oils. An excess of vitamin E in the body without interacting with selenium can lead to thyroid dysfunction.

Vitamin D. It is a necessary hormone for the proper functioning of all endocrine glands and the functioning of the immune system. If the level of vitamin D is low, then there is a high risk of developing any autoimmune pathology, including the development of autoimmune thyroiditis.

Vitamins of group B:

Vitamin V6 – is able to normalize the work of the endocrine system and takes part in the metabolic process. It is found in walnuts, hazelnuts, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, strawberries.

Vitamin V12 especially good with folic acid. These two substances produce dopamine, a hormone that can fight depression. Unfortunately, it is he who is one of the unpleasant consequences of insufficient thyroid function.

In addition to pharmaceutical preparations, it can be found in egg yolk, liver, and fermented milk products.

Iodine. It is with its deficiency that hypothyroidism can develop – a disease in which there is a decrease in the number of thyroid hormones produced. The best way to prevent iodine deficiency is the use of iodized salt. Just 5 grams will be enough to meet the daily requirement for this ingredient. Foods rich in iodine: seaweed, fish, bread, eggs.

In some cases – the period of pregnancy, feeding, active growth of children and adolescents, it will not work to prevent hypothyroidism with the help of sea salt. Special preparations will help to cope with the problem, which can be used only after consulting a specialist.

Selenium. The necessary element responsible for the formation of enzymes that promote the activity of hormones. Most of it is found in Brazil nuts, garlic, corn, liver, and beans. Preparations containing selenium include Selenobel, Complivit selenium.

A lack of this mineral can cause a calcium deficiency and lead to a buildup of arsenic and cadmium in the body, which can further exacerbate the problem.

With an excess amount of selenium, an increase in the liver, influx of convulsions, pain occurs in the right side of the ribs.

Hardware. Assess the level of ferritin – a marker of latent iron deficiency. Target indicators 80-100 mcg/l. At risk are all menstruating women, vegetarians, people suffering from reduced secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, dysbiosis, existing bleeding, and surgical interventions.

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Copper. An important element for the proper development of the endocrine system. It stimulates the thyroid gland and controls the level of thyroxine in the blood. You can replenish copper reserves in the body by introducing nuts, liver, seafood (shrimp, octopus) into the diet.

Zinc. Plays a role in the modulation of the immune response and reduces the level of antibodies in the thyroid organ.

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