What Is An Underactive Thyroid And How Does It Affect You?

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the front lower part of the neck. It is powerful though because what it does is provide important hormones that regulate many of the body’s systems. Not having enough of these hormones in the bloodstream can cause an individual to experience a number of undesirable symptoms that have the potential to reduce one’s quality of life. This is why it is important to recognize if you have an underactive thyroid, and have a trained professional evaluate your medical history to look for signs you may have missed.

Common Symptoms

What makes it difficult to identify an underactive thyroid are its symptoms, which are often mistakenly attributed to other ailments. A correct diagnosis by a trained professional can help eliminate a number of problems though, so it is important to keep an eye out for symptoms like constipation, fatigue, depression, dry hair and skin, weight gain and/or difficulties losing weight, slowed heart rate, swelling of the thyroid or changes in the menstrual cycle not related to menopause.

Causes Of Underactive Thyroid

Common causes include a diet low in iodine, pregnancy, disorders of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland damage or disorder, certain medications or radiation therapy for some cancers, or problems with the thyroid present at birth. There are things inside and outside the body that can cause the thyroid to produce a low number of certain hormones, also known as hypothyroidism. Viral infections can also be a cause. Then there is the autoimmune disorder known as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, which causes the body to mistakenly attack and damage the thyroid.

It is important for a trained professional to evaluate symptoms and recognize the causes of underactive thyroid, especially when it comes to weight management because this can affect not just weight loss but other important aspects of healthy living.

Speak To A Professional

Underactive thyroid is just one of the things that the team at RCMC Medical Center can help with. For other services related to medical weight loss, appetite suppressants or testosterone therapy, get in touch with us today.