Hypothyroidism
Deficiency of the thyroid hormone (THYROXINE) is called Hypothyroidism or Hypothyroid. It can affect any age group though it is most prevalent in older women. It is almost 10 to 20 times more common in females as compared to males. It is one of those conditions which are often present for many years before they can be recognized and treated effectively. Estimated one in every 50 females and one in 1000 men tend to suffer with this condition.
Underactive Thyroid is also called Hypothyroidism.
Hypothyroidism can be of two types:
- Primary hypothyroidism:Here the problem lies in the thyroid gland and hence it fails to produce sufficient hormones due to certain causes.
- Secondary hypothyroidism:In this type, the pituitary gland is at fault and it is unable to produce sufficient quantity of TSH. Lack of TSH in turn causes decreased production of T3 and T4 by the thyroid gland due to lack of stimulus from the pituitary.
CAUSES
| Group | Causes |
| Primary hypothyroidism | Iodine deficiency (developing countries), autoimmune thyroiditis, previous thyroidectomy, previous radioiodine treatment, previous external beam radiotherapy to the neck Medication: lithium-based mood stabilizers, amiodarone, interferon alpha, tyrosine kinase inhibitors such as sunitinib |
| Central hypothyroidism | Lesions compressing the pituitary (pituitary adenoma, craniopharyngioma, meningioma, glioma, Rathke’s cleft cyst, metastasis, empty sella, aneurysm of the internal carotid artery), surgery or radiation to the pituitary, drugs, injury, vascular disorders (pituitary apoplexy, Sheehan syndrome, subarachnoid hemorrhage), autoimmune diseases (lymphocytic hypophysitis, polyglandular disorders), infiltrative diseases (iron overload due to hemochromatosis or thalassemia, sarcoidosis, Langerhans cell histiocytosis), particular inherited congenital disorders, and infections (tuberculosis, mycoses, syphilis) |
| Congenital hypothyroidism[ | Thyroid dysgenesis (75%), thyroid dyshormonogenesis (20%), maternal antibody or radioiodine transfer Transiently: due to maternal iodine deficiency or excess, anti-TSH receptor antibodies, certain congenital disorders, neonatal illness Central: pituitary dysfunction (idiopathic, septo-optic dysplasia, deficiency of PIT1, isolated TSH deficiency) |
SIGN AND SYMPTOMS
| Symptoms | Signs |
| Fatigue | Dry, coarse skin |
| Feeling cold | Cool extremities |
| Poor memory and concentration | Myxedema (mucopolysaccharide deposits in the skin) |
| Constipation, dyspepsia | Hair loss |
| Weight gain with poor appetite | Slow pulse rate |
| Shortness of breath | Swelling of the limbs |
| Hoarse voice | Delayed relaxation of tendon reflexes |
| In females, heavy menstrual periods (and later light periods) | Carpal tunnel syndrome |
| Abnormal sensation | Pleural effusion, ascites, pericardial effusion |
| Poor hearing |
HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT
- Homeopathy is the science of holistic treatment and works, not by the external administration of hormones, but by actually stimulating the body to correct the hormonal imbalance and deficiency within.
- Homeopathic treatment for Hypothyroidismreawakens the intricate hormonal axis of the body and corrects it. Homeopathic approach considers the physical, emotional and intellectual sphere of the individual to prescribe the accurate remedy.