What is the thyroid and what does it do?
-A small butterfly shaped gland at the front of your neck.
-Produces ‘thyroid hormone’ which is very important in regulating the body.
-Does a range of things from: keeping us warm, to regulating heart, brain, muscles, bowels.
What happens when your thyroid slows down and becomes underactive?
-We start to get a range of symptoms affecting all parts of the body, that are often very subtle and difficult to pick up.
-In particular weight gain and tiredness and feeling cold.
-Other symptoms may be constipation, dry skin, hair loss, muscle pain, depression, cholesterol issues.
Who gets it and what are the causes?
-More common in women over 50.
-Also more common those with issues such as Type 1 Diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
-However, anyone can develop an underactive thyroid including babies (very rare) and children.
-Most commonly caused by immune disorder called ‘Hashimoto’s Disease’ where body turns off the thyroid and starts to shut the thyroid down.
-Other causes include some medication, previous thyroid treatment, iodine deficiency,
How do you diagnose and treat?
-Your GP will do a simple blood test on how your thyroid is working.
-Sometimes if the changes are very small so we just monitor.
-However, if it’s causing symptoms it’s treated with thyroid medication to replace the missing thyroid.
-Often need to take medication for life with periodic blood tests and medication may need dose changes.
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