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The disease has several causes and, if left untreated, it can progress to a fatal condition

Image of Pat Kwon in Unsplash

Hypothyroidism is the drop in the production of hormones produced by the thyroid gland, responsible for maintaining the function of important organs such as the heart, brain, liver and kidneys.

Also called "underactive thyroid", the disease affects more women over 60 years, but can occur in anyone, even newborns - the so-called congenital hypothyroidism.

What causes

The most common cause of hypothyroidism in adults is Hashimoto's disease - the immune system attacks and damages the thyroid, making it impossible for it to function.

Radioactive iodine treatment or thyroid surgery (which are used to treat other thyroid problems) can also be triggers for hypothyroidism.

The disease can also develop during pregnancy, in cases where the baby's thyroid does not develop properly.

Symptoms

Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

• Depression;
• Deceleration of heart rate;
• Constipation;
• Irregular menstruation;
• Memory failures;
• Excessive tiredness;
• Muscle aches;
• Dry skin and hair;
• Loss of hair;
• Feeling of cold;
• Weight gain.

If those affected by hypothyroidism do not undergo treatment, there may be an increase in cholesterol levels and consequent heart disease. In more severe cases, myxedema coma may occur, an uncommon but potentially lethal clinical condition. In this situation, the body has physiological adaptations (to compensate for the lack of thyroid hormones) which, in cases of infections, for example, may be insufficient, causing the person to decompensate and go into a coma.

Diagnosis

Hypothyroidism is diagnosed based on blood tests that will measure the levels of thyroid stimulating hormones - TSH and T4.

When there is hypothyroidism, TSH levels are elevated and T4 levels are low. However, in milder or early cases, TSH is high, while T4 may be normal.

When the cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's disease, tests can detect antibodies that attack the thyroid.

Late diagnosis of hypothyroidism during pregnancy can affect the baby's brain growth and development.

All newborns must undergo a hypothyroidism test, the so-called "Teste do Pezinho", between the third and seventh day of birth. This is because, if sick babies are not treated, there may be delay in mental development and growth.

In cases where the diagnosis of hypothyroidism is positive, the affected person must communicate the result to the relatives, as they are also at risk of having the disease.

Treatment

The treatment of hypothyroidism used by conventional medicine is the daily intake of levothyroxine in fasting (half an hour before the first meal of the day), in the amount prescribed by the doctor, according to each organism.

Levothyroxine reproduces the functioning of the thyroid, but for the treatment to be effective, its use must follow the doctor's prescription.