Dental Health Care

Hypothyroidism is a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland, located in the front of the neck, doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. This condition is also referred to as having an underactive thyroid. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common condition that causes the thyroid gland to be underactive. This is where the body does not recognize the thyroid gland, and starts attacking it, as if it were a foreign substance.

Hypothyroidism symptoms can occur in men and women of all ages, but the symptoms typically appear in women over 50years of age. Symptoms occur slowly, and are often dismissed by people as simple fatigue. The thyroid gland secretes hormones that regulate a person’s metabolic rate.

If the thyroid gland is underacive, the metabolic rate slows, causing fatigue, constipation, dry, brittle hair, an unfocused feeling, and a host of other symptoms associated with the body slowing down. Left unattended, hypothyroidism can cause serious health complications. If a person is diagnosed with hypothyroidism, a conventional medical treatment, such as hormone therapy is needed. Dietary changes and supplements can help support the conventional hormone therapy treatment, but should not be used by themselves to treat an underactive thyroid.

Medication is effective in almost all cases, although it may need to be taken for life. Tell your doctor about any supplements you are taking to regulate your thyroid naturally before a prescription is written for hormone therapy medications.