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Learn about hypothyroidism

What is Thyroid Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Hypothyroidism is a condition classified by an under-active thyroid gland—when the thyroid does not produce enough hormones.

Risk Factors of Hypothyroidism

If you're concerned about your risk of developing hypothyroidism, there are two main factors to consider—age and sex. Your chances of being hypothyroid increase with age, and they are greater if you're a woman. Hypothyroidism occurs primarily in women older than 50. Besides age and sex, your risk for hypothyroidism is increased if:

Complications of Hypothyroidism

If left untreated, hypothyroidism can progress and cause a multitude of complications. Understanding the symptoms of hypothyroidism and getting regular screenings to ensure an early diagnosis will prevent the onset of the complications listed below.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

The most common thyroid disorder is hypothyroidism. Hypo- means deficient or under(active), so hypothyroidism is an underactive thyroid gland. Recognizing the symptoms of hypothyroidism is extremely important.

Preventing Hypothyroidism

When it comes to preventing hypothyroidism, there really isn't anything most people can do to stop the onset of the disorder.

Hypothyroidism Diagnosis

Hypothyroidism can be an elusive disease. Its presence can be so slight that you may not even recognize that anything is wrong. On the other hand, the symptoms may be undeniable—dry skin, intolerance to cold, an overwhelming feeling of fatigue. Whatever the case, if you have any suspicion that you may be hypothyroid, it's important to talk to your doctor about getting tested.

Causes of Hypothyroidism

The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's thyroiditis (or autoimmune hypothyroidism), a form of thyroid inflammation caused by your own immune system.

Animal Thyroid Supplements for Hypothyroidism

Though synthetic thyroid hormones are the preferred medication for hypothyroidism today, animal thyroid hormones (also known as desiccated, or dried, thyroid extract) were once the standard treatment. In fact, they were the only treatment available.

Hypothyroidism Glossary

Animal (Desiccated) Thyroid Extract A crude preparation made of animal, usually pig, thyroid glands. It was the first available source of thyroid hormone (thyroxine). It is still available today, but synthetic thyroid supplements are the preferred hypothyroid treatment.

Hypothyroidism FAQ

What is hypothyroidism? Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the body lacks sufficient thyroid hormone. Since the main purpose of thyroid hormone is to "run the body's metabolism," it is understandable that people with this condition will have symptoms associated with a slow metabolism.
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