What is hypothyroidism?
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Generally, hypothyroidism is a technical health complication which implies a low level or even a reduced amount of thyroid hormone within the contexts of the human stream of blood. This usually occurs when the thyroid gland that is responsible for producing blood been under-active which implies that it produces lower amount of the hormone than its optimal requirement by the human body. Consequently, a malfunction occurs in the normal body processes leading to a distortion in the equilibrium states of the human body functionality. The effects of this health complication are however diverse within infants and adult patients. When the organs and cells that are responsible for stimulating the hormone in the body become inactive, the resulting implication is the rise in the subsequent symptoms that develop as a result of this aspect. The overall symptom is a generalized slowdown in the general body functionality which may include the feelings of tiredness, low levels and inabilities of tolerating cold weather, a feeling of mental fatigue, possible chances of constipations as well as possible rise in falling rate of heart beat (Shamon, 2005, p.13).
Hypothyroidism has been described as basically a common health problem/condition whose chances of occurring have been voted high. Elsewhere, the treatment course for the complication has also been cheap with an easy process of its nurture. The basic symptoms however appear as a result of depression, increased levels of stress in the body and a possible side effect of aging people. The underlying conditions associated with this complication may easily resemble that of other complications. Indeed however, it is usually presumed possible for the symptoms to run for a long period without been diagnosed. According to statistical findings and revelations, the U.S. is estimated of having more that 9.5 million people who have a hypothyroidism condition that is undiagnosed. Elsewhere, the chances of it effects to both men and women have been weighted almost equal though it has been diagnosed to predispose more in women than men (http://www.medicinenet.com/hypothyroidism/article.htm).
Hypothyroidism is associated with a generalized reduction in the functionality of the broad body functions. Following the ultimate malfunction of the human thyroid gland, various causal effects hitherto arise. Amongst the widest range of effects is the autoimmune disease. Additionally, a compliment of dietary deficiency occurs following the distortion in the equilibrium levels of iodine in the human body.
Effects of hypothyroidism
The basic causal sediment of the complication is largely associated with the malfunction of the functionality of the thyroid gland. The two major hormones that are contained in output of the gland are largely responsible in regulating the metabolic stability of the human body. Consequently, when their levels are destabilized, the generalized functionally of all the body organs is leveraged at a comparative disadvantage. To young children, the presence of thyroid acts actively in regulating the basic parameters and scores of their development and growth. The effects of hypothyroidism are complimented by a wide framework of effects in the human body. According to clinical observations the related implication of the complication is the development of a diverse scope of symptoms and signs in different body parts. Thyroid gland is associated with the production of the hormones tri-iodothyronine and thryroxines. These are chiefly important in balancing and maintaining the broad scope of functionality in the body parts. Amongst the many roles played by the two hormones is the regulation of stable body metabolism by striking balances in the many body processes (Pratt, Levy, 2003, p.22). The functionality of the thyroid gland is dictated by the intake of iodine in the food that we consumer. Due to its divergent contribution in regulating the body metabolism, the emerging effects of hypothyroidism are basically wide. This may lead to:-
A slowed state in the human heart pulse rate
Poor memory, unsteadiness, malfunctionality in the nervous system speech problems and reduced rate of thought.
There may occur the development of problems in the patients digestive system which may include abdominal distension and constipation
Pale and dry skin and a rough/course body hair.
An increased levels of body weight which may also be accompanied by intolerance to coldness
Causes
Generally, the causes of hypothyroidism emerge from the unstable equilibrium between the demands and the output of the hormonal system of the thyroid glands. The malfunction of the gland leads to a decrease in the output of its two basic hormones which consequently leads to a destabilized functionality in the body system. However, the contemporary array of causes of this complication is as a result of a wide framework of effects this may include;
The largely divergent effect of deficiency in iodine which is required by the thyroid gland in manufacturing thyroxine
Autoimmune disease which has been characterized in occurring at those where the supply of iodine within the human diet is substantially low. Consequently, this leads to a state in which some antibodies are produced by the human body in acting basically against the thyroid gland system.
Effects of treatment in hyperthyroidism, where hyperthyroidism refers to implication characterized by excessive production of thyroxine.
The effects of some drugs which consequently leads to the damage in the functional nature of the human thyroid gland.
Other secondary causes which may compound various diseases that are associated with the pituitary glands (Friedman, 2006, p.17).
Diagnosis of hypothyroidism
The basic diagnosis of hypothyroidism is usually difficult. This is because its salient features are and symptoms are closely associated to those of other health conditions. However, through the clinical blood testing by using a TSH test, the respective disorders and complications that are allied to hypothyroidism may be diagnosed.
Treatment of hypothyroidism
The prospective treatment of the complication is usually by balancing the normal level of thyroxine which should occur in the body for a normal function in body metabolism. A monitored replacement in the deficient amounts/levels of thyroxine in the thyroid gland is done which gives some ability to supply the required levels of thyroxine gland. Within the healthcare system, a diverse component of the formations of the important thyroid hormones do exist. According to health regulations, the optimal and best performance of the thyroid medicines are usually most functional and best suited when taken if the patient’s stomach is empty. Additionally, this complication has been described as a condition spanning across ones life. Careful management has been described as a possible remedy of the effects which can help to plough back the body to a normal state of functionality. The respective effects of not treating the complication is also widely varying and in dependent on one patient to another. However, the general imagery is that when this complication is not treated, the severity of the complication may continue in been more pronounced. The related effects that may accompany this failure may include; troubles in the breathing system, a generalized impact of problems in human brain, heart failures and other related complications, a compromised ability in maintained stable functionality in body metabolism and the general function of the body
(http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-hypothyroidism.htm).
The occurring nature and the predisposing factors for hypothyroidism implies that the complication cannot be prevented. Since this is a situation which occurs from the failing functionality of the thyroid gland in its excretion of the thyroid glands, it is therefore observed that the complication cannot be controlled.
According to recent research findings, the effects of the disease in the American population is estimated as been 0.6% of its total population. Elsewhere, the prevalence for the disease has been observed to been more on women than it is in men. The basic treatment of the disease is by creating a strong model of its management through replacing the optimal levels of the hormone thyroid required by the body. This can be done monitoring adequately the respective response maintained by the body over this management processes as well as providing a lucrative replacement therapy for the existing levels in deficits. The process requires that the replacement be done in low levels of dosages. Consequently, this dose should be increased in a gradual manner depending on the new conditions that arise from the former dosages of its treatment (Shamon, 2005, p.42).
Reference
Friedman, T (2006). The Everything Health Guide to Thyroid Diseases. New York: Everything Books
Mathur, R. (2006). Hypothyroidism, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment. Retrieved on 22nd January 2009 from http://www.medicinenet.com/hypothyroidism/article.htm
Pratt, M & Levy, E. (2003). The First Hypothyroidism: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed. New York: Marlowe & Co.
Shomon, M. (2005). Living Well with Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn’t Tell you. London: Routledge
What is Hypothyroidism. Retrieved on 22nd January 2009 from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-hypothyroidism.htm
