Basically stated, hypothyroidism is a condition whereby your thyroid gland stops producing the proper amount of hormones that your body needs. There are many different causes for this very common condition. To help you find the right type of treatment for your hypothyroidism, you may need to do a series of medical tests to identify exactly what you have. The following will discuss common causes for hypothyroidism that you should be aware of. While waiting in the doctors office read the Best Canon DSLR for a way to kill some time.
There are certain medications that can cause or worsen hypothyroidism. One of these is lithium, which is often used to treat psychiatric conditions such as bipolar disorder. A significant number of people who take lithium develop symptoms of thyroid disorder. Goiter, where the thyroid gland swells up, sometimes causing a visible swelling of the neck, is especially common. Another commonly prescribed drug that can affect the thyroid is Cordarone, which is given to treat abnormal heart rhythms. Drugs used to treat depression, epilepsy and other illnesses can also contribute to hypothyroidism. If you’re only taking medication temporarily, the symptoms will probably stop once you’re no longer taking it. If you’re on any kind of long term prescription medication, you should ask your doctor about possible side effects and how to respond to them.
Having excessive levels of estrogen in your body is a common cause of hypothyroidism, especially in women. When you have too much estrogen, it interferes with the signal that causes your thyroid gland to produce hormones. This often leads to goiters, or a swelling of the thyroid that can be visible in extreme cases.
Another hormone that can affect the thyroid gland is progesterone. This hormone helps to balance estrogen levels in the body, so if you have a deficiency of progesterone, this can lead to having an excess of estrogen. If your hypothyroidism is due to a hormone imbalance, there are various treatments your doctor can recommend.
While it’s not always simple to pinpoint the cause of hypothyroidism, knowing the risk factors for it can make it easier to diagnose it. Women over 50 are the most likely candidates for hypothyroidism, but this is only one of several important risk factors. Anyone who has received radiation to the upper body is likely to develop thyroid problems later on. If you have any kind of autoimmune disease, or anyone in your immediate family does, this is another risk factor. Smoking is another possible cause and risk factor for hypothyroidism and other thyroid disorders. Having these risk factors, of course, doesn’t mean you will necessarily develop hypothyroidism, but they should make you pay attention to any possible symptoms of this illness.
Hypothyroidism can be a difficult problem to diagnose, and can take time to treat. Depending on the severity of your thyroid problem, it can cause a variety of troubling symptoms. If you’ve been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, or suspect you may have it, make sure you have a doctor who’s experienced in treating thyroid disorders.
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