Hypothyroidism is quite a common condition, but it's also one that not many people fully understand. You might find that your thyroid gland is to blame for your chronic experiences of fatigue and weight gain. Some people discover that issues with their thyroid lead to almost constant problems with their health. To help you learn more about the details about this disorder and what it could mean if you have this condition, we're going to look at everything you need to know about hypothyroidism in this article.
What's Responsible for This Kind of Thyroid Disease?
First and foremost, it begins and ends with the thyroid. If your thyroid gland doesn't work well enough, or is underactive, that is what causes hypothyroidism. The problem is that the thyroid isn't working like it should be. Often, it's a type of autoimmune response that often runs in the family, and it affects women more frequently than men, usually at a ratio of 6 to 1.
When learning everything you need to know about hypothyroidism, chances are that you'll want to learn why the issue affects women more than men. Thanks to the changes that are involved in pregnancy and an increased amount of estrogen, a woman's immune system behaves in a way that's very different to a man's. For instance, a woman's body will reduce its defenses during pregnancy; otherwise, there's a chance that the body will see the baby as a threat. However, after giving birth, the immunity kicks back into overdrive, leading to problems with hypothyroidism.
What Is the TSH Test for Thyroid Diseases?
If you're concerned that you might be struggling from hypothyroidism, or you know someone who has been experiencing the symptoms, then the TSH test will be what doctors use to figure out whether there is indeed a thyroid problem. This test helps doctors to find out whether the thyroid is functioning as it should be or not. Usually, you'll be able to get the results of this test within a period of 48 hours, and during this time, the experts will be able to decide whether hypothyroidism is indeed the problem, or your symptoms might be related to another condition that requires additional testing.
The great thing about the TSH test is that when it's conducted, you don't just learn whether the thyroid is underactive, but you also get information about whether it may be over-active, which would indicate the opposite, which is hyperthyroidism. Additionally, the test can help when it comes to telling the difference between hypothyroidism and chronic fatigue syndrome.
How Is Hypothyroidism Treated?
One of the most important things to learn more about when discovering everything you need to know about hypothyroidism, is how this condition can be treated. Generally, the only way that this condition can be treated is with the use of levothyroxine, which is a form of medication. Thanks to the assistance of a doctor, your condition should be diagnosed with a very high degree of precision, which means that you can ensure that you get the right kind of care for your condition. Usually, treatments are very effective, and approved by the FDA.