Archive for the ‘Hypothyroidism’ Category
Do you have vague symptoms that are mildly annoying, but not severe? Hypothyroidism is marked by the gradual onset of fatigue, the inability to lose weight, brittle hair, constipation, feeling cold all the time, and dry skin. Alone, these symptoms are hardly noticeable, or can easily be attributed to a myriad of factors. Together, they may mean your thyroid gland is not producing enough thyroid hormones to keep the metabolism in working order.
A common way of recognizing possible hypothyroidism is the feeling of being tired after getting a good night’s sleep. If there is no other obvious reason, the thyroid gland should be looked at. This condition is more common in women than men, especially older women. The inability to lose eight, even when religiously sticking to a diet is also a good sign that the metabolism is not up to par. It is worth speaking to a doctor if you suspect that hypothyroidism may be causing these symptoms.
The most commonly ordered tests for evaluating hypothyroidism symptoms is a blood test for thyroid hormones T3 & T4. If the blood test comes back with low thyroid hormone levels, synthetic hormones may be prescribed. This hormone therapy will be adjusted over a period of several months. It only takes a month or two to start feeling better once the dosage is correct.