Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is an underproduction of thyroid hormone. Patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and multinodular goiter sometimes are hypothyroid. After thyroid surgery, radioactive iodine therapy or radiation to the thyroid gland you may become hypothyroid. University Surgeons Associates surgeons will work with your doctor or endocrinologist to manage hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism seldom causes symptoms in the early stages, but left untreated it can cause a number of health problems. Women over the age of 50 are more likely to develop hypothyroidism. Symptoms can include:
- Pervasive fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Increased sensitivity to cold
- Forgetfulness
- Depression
- Weakness
- Dry, brittle hair and nails
- Thinning of eyebrows
- Thickening of the skin
- Dry, itchy skin
- Puffy face
- Constipation
- Joint or muscle pain
- Weight gain and fluid retention
- Heavy and/or irregular menstrual flow
- Increased frequency of miscarriages
- Hoarseness
- Slow speech
- Increased sensitivity to many medications
- Chronic Thyroiditis
- Congenital lack of adequate thyroid
- Radiation treatments to the neck
- Radioactive iodine treatment
- Surgical excision of the thyroid gland,
- Viral thyroiditis
- Damage to the pituitary gland
- Certain drugs
See your doctor if you're feeling tired for no reason or have any of the other signs or symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as dry skin, a pale, puffy face, constipation or a hoarse voice.
You also might need to see your doctor for periodic testing of your thyroid function if you've had previous thyroid surgery, treatment with radioactive iodine or anti-thyroid medications, or radiation therapy to your head, neck or upper chest and are experiencing symptoms of hypothyroidism.
If you have high blood cholesterol ask your doctor whether hypothyroidism may be a cause. If you're taking thyroid hormone therapy for hypothyroidism, schedule follow-up visits as often as your doctor recommends. Initially, it's important to make sure you're receiving the correct dose of medicine. Over time, the dose you need to take to keep your thyroid hormone level normal may change. See your doctor if you're feeling tired for no reason or have any of the other signs or symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as dry skin, a pale, puffy face, constipation or a hoarse voice.
You also might need to see your doctor for periodic testing of your thyroid function if you've had previous thyroid surgery, treatment with radioactive iodine or anti-thyroid medications, or radiation therapy to your head, neck or upper chest and are experiencing symptoms of hypothyroidism.