How Successful Is Hypothyroid Treatment?
Causes of Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism means your thyroid gland can’t make enough thyroid hormone to meet your body’s needs. The disease can be caused by damage to or surgical removal of the thyroid, radiation treatments, or various autoimmune diseases, or it may be a result of heredity. If your body doesn’t get enough thyroid hormone, it starts slowing down. You may feel colder or more easily tired, your skin gets dry, and you have short-term memory problems, depression and constipation. The condition is diagnosed through a simple blood test. Treatment The standard treatment for hypothyroidism is medication. Your doctor gives you a synthetic thyroxine that is practically identical to the hormone produced by your thyroid. Dosage varies by your weight and age and by how much thyroid hormone was already in your blood. Other health problems can affect treatment, and your doctor will test your hormone levels throughout the treatment to ensure you have the right amount. Monitoring You will
