Nearly 10 million Americans are living with hypothyroidism, a condition where your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of the necessary hormones to effectively regulate critical bodily functions. What’s worse is that millions more may be living with the condition without even knowing it. Today, we look at some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism, and the potential complications that could occur if your hypothyroidism goes untreated.
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
One of the main functions of your thyroid is to produce the hormones necessary for the metabolization of food. As we mentioned above, hypothyroidism occurs when your body underproduces these hormones (hyperthyroidism occurs when your thyroid overproduces these hormones), so you may have a slower metabolism since you lack the correct hormone levels. With a lower metabolism comes a host of related symptoms, like:
- Weight gain
- Feeling lethargic or tired
- Constipation
- Dry Skin
- Menstrual issues
But that’s not all. Hypothyroidism can also leave you feeling not quite like yourself. Hypothyroidism can contribute to mood swings, depressive feelings, increased sensitivity to cold and a lack of motivation. If you’ve experienced any of the above symptoms, consider visiting a thyroid specialist, as a simple course of hormone therapy could get you back to feeling like normal.
Problems Worsen If Ignored
Those symptoms are warning signs of hypothyroidism, and they should not be taken lightly. If left untreated, hypothyroidism can contribute to much more serious health conditions, like heart disease, decreased lung function, goiter development, cognitive decline and in rare case, hypothyroidism can lead to a life-threatening condition called myxedema, which results in a coma due to extremely low hormone levels. Roughly 50 percent of people diagnosed with myxedema will die from the condition if it is discovered in a late stage.
Those complications are serious, and they shouldn’t be ignored, especially since treatment for hypothyroidism is rather simple. Medication can oftentimes provide the body with the necessary hormones without the need for surgery. Hormone medication therapy is the most common treatment for people suffering from hypothyroidism, and it is often very effective, getting the patient back to their normal self rather quickly.
