Despite its small size, the thyroid gland plays a vital role in the functioning of the body. It is located in the neck near the windpipe, and its main function involves releasing hormones that help in the regulation of metabolism in the body. Disturbance in its function causes either over-activity of the gland or under-activity. Over-activity of the thyroid is often known as hyperthyroidism while under-activity of the gland is called hypothyroidism. Statistics reveal that there are around 27 million cases of thyroid disorders in America alone. As this disease is quite common, there are a number of myths that revolve around this disease. It is important to be aware of the reality than simply going by the myths of the disease. It helps the patients to understand the cause, treatment and side effects of thyroid disorders.
TSH test is the only way to diagnose hypothyroidism
Though prescribing a TSH test is more common among the practitioners, there are many other ways to diagnose the problem. Also most of the patients undergoing this test have normal levels of TSH level. This leads to misdiagnosis of the problem when the condition is completely ruled out. The blood tests are highly unreliable and the medical practitioners these days believe that a narrow range of TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) levels is actually more precise. Few more tests are added to diagnose the condition such as antibody test, Total T4, Total T3, Free T4, Free T3 and TRH tests to better diagnose the problem. These tests look for subclinical hypothyroidism which normally do not have outward symptoms of the condition.
One need not worry about hypothyroidism as long as TSH levels are normal
If your TSH levels are normal and you are still experiencing symptoms such as weight gain, exhaustion, depression, muscle aches, joint pains, hair loss, sensitivity to cold, dry skin condition, brittle fingernails, decreased sweating, menstruation problems including infertility, or lower heart rate, you must seek medical attention to get your condition assessed. These are some of the early symptoms of hypothyroidism. Symptoms of hypothyroidism normally develop gradually. However, when the condition is a result from other surgery or hyperthyroidism, the onset of the symptoms might be sudden.
Weight gain is inevitable with hypothyroidism
Patients with hypothyroidism have decreased Basal Metabolic Rate which is often associated with weight gain. If the condition is severe, the weight gain is also greater. It could also be due to retention of excess salt and water in the body. One can expect a gain of about 5 to 10 pounds with hypothyroidism. Once hypothyroidism is treated, one can expect a weight loss of about 10%. Since the condition develops over a long period of time, one may not experience significant weight loss after the hypothyroid treatment. Also, if all the other symptoms of hypothyroidism get resolved after the treatment except for weight gain, then it is quite apparent that the weight gain is not due to thyroid problem. The ability to lose or gain weight is the same as in individuals who do not have hypothyroid problem, once the condition is treated.
Synthroid is the best drug for hypothyroidism
All patients with hypothyroid are prescribed levothyoxine – one of the main hormones that thyroid produces. Synthroid is simply, another manufacturer of this product. Since levothyoxine is the accepted convention to treat hypothyroidism, practitioners most often prescribed Synthroid. This does not mean that Synthroid is the best or any better than other companies that are producing levothyoxine. Different companies including Synthroid have different binders and fillers for which many people will have different allergic responses. Hence, it does not matter which brand will work as long as the medicine in its entirety works for the medical condition. Practitioners are of the opinion that there is no specific formula to indicate which drug could be best for you.
I must take thyroid medication all my life
The severity of the condition determines the need to use thyroid hormone replacement medication. If the medical condition requires removal or destruction of thyroid (due to surgery or radioactive iodine), then the patient will require life-time treatment with thyroxine (T4 hormone). However, in most conditions where hypothyroidism is temporary, a temporary treatment with thyroxine is required. After successful treatment, patients stop taking the medication. Following are the conditions that require thyroid hormone replacement for a limited period of time –
- Subactute thyroiditis: There is a temporary loss of thyroid cells which decreases the release of thyroxine from the thyroid gland.
- Acute thyroiditis: This condition does not require thyroid hormone treatment.
- Postpartum thyroiditis: This also causes temporary loss of thyroxine which slowly restores and recovers with time.
Hypothyroidism is a condition that affects only adults
This condition can affect people of all ages. But older people have more risk of getting this disorder. Even children seem to be affected by this condition – acquired hypothyroidism. There are babies who are born with hypothyroidism – without the thyroid gland or where the gland does not function properly. The symptoms displayed by children are almost the same as with adults – exhaustion, constipation, poor physical and mental development, delayed puberty, dry skin, puffy face, hoarse voice, or poor muscle tone.
Only women get thyroid problems
Women do run a higher risk of facing thyroid problems. Women, especially over the age of 50 are more likely to experience hypothyroidism. This condition disturbs the normal hormonal balance in the body. Since the symptoms gradually develop over time, if left untreated gives way to host of other problems such as infertility, obesity, heart disease, muscle and joint pain. Men also have good chances of developing hypothyroidism which becomes a source of other health problems. Men having an under-active thyroid gland experience hypothyroidism. Weight gain, fatigue, depression, memory loss, irritability, loss of libido, muscle cramps, loss of hair, joint pain are some of the symptoms that surface in men.
Thyroid patients will develop goiter
If symptoms of hypothyroidism are left untreated, it leads to goiter – a condition where there is enlargement of the thyroid gland. Similar to hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto’s disease (under-active hypothyroidism) can damage the thyroid making it produce very little hormone. With a very low hormone level, the pituitary gland releases more TSH to stimulate the thyroid which enlarges the thyroid gland – goiter. Patients with hypothyroidism are either prescribed HRT (hormone replacement treatment) or surgical removal of the gland. If a patient develops goiter and does not respond to HRT, the gland is surgically removed. However, the majority of cases of hypothyroidism do not develop goiter.
Hypothyroidism is contagious
If one has thyroid problems running in the family, a person is more likely to get hypothyroidism. It is a myth in the minds of the people that this disorder is contagious. Hypothyroidism is not a viral, bacterial or a contagious infection. It may seem that areas that have poor consumption of iodine seem to have more cases of hypothyroidism. However, it is not true that physical proximity is the cause of hypothyroidism. Also, the frequency of getting this disorder is more in areas which is exposed to large-scale radiation. People in such areas are down with thyroid cancers, goiters and nodules. Such situation may make people feel that hypothyroidism ia contagious. After due treatment, either with HRT or iodine supply, the incidence of hypothyroidism generally comes down. In a nutshell, you cannot take or give the disorder from or to anybody.
Hypothyroidism is easy to diagnose
It is strange but true that hypothyroidism is one of the diseases that is often misdiagnosed. It is tricky to diagnose this disorder than one might think. It is not as simple to diagnose this disorder with a blood test. Symptoms such as fatigue, exhaustion, lack of motivation are often seen as psychiatric problem, even when the symptoms of hypothyroidism are well known. Studies show that 50% of hypothyroid patients were misdiagnosed by psychiatrists. This was the prime reasons why most people do not have their symptoms resolved. Another reason why hypothyroid goes undiagnosed is the heavy reliance on medical test results. These can be quite misleading and unreliable to make a proper diagnosis. Medical science is not yet able to determine the normal level of TSH – the most acclaimed and reliable test for hypothyroidism.
It is difficult to treat hypothyroidism
Radiation induced hypothyroidism is often difficult to treat than a naturally occurring hypothyroidism. The treatment is usually easy and simple. It normally involves taking the thyroid hormone pill. Depending on the intensity of the disorder, the dosage may vary for each patient. Since it is difficult to specify the correct dosage, patients are often asked to take up blood tests more frequently. With each test, the dosage is re-evaluated and adjusted to get TSH levels to normalcy. The medication takes quite some time to relieve the symptoms. While some patients notice reduction of symptoms within two or three weeks, it often takes more than a month or two to see the full effect of the medication.
