Hypothyroidism

Overview

Decrease amount of thyroid hormone in the body, leads to decrease metabolism of the body is termed as hypothyroidism. Decrease in hormone level also affects thermal regulation of your body, heart beat and fat metabolism.

Thyroid gland is butterfly shaped structure, located in front of lower part of the neck. This gland regulates the body and provides energy.

Women are more prone compared to men. Those who are above 60 years of age likely to develop this condition.

Subclinical hypothyroidism, type of hypothyroidism which shows early and mild form of disease.

Causes

Causes depends on the type of condition. It is divided into two types:

Primary: When your thyroid gland itself is insufficient to produce enough amount of hormone.

Iodine deficiency
Hashimoto's thyroiditis: It is a type of autoimmune condition. It means your own immune system attacks your thyroid cells. Inflammation due this gradually reduces thyroid function.
Drug induced: Amiodarone, thalidomide, Oral tyrosin kinase, carbamazepine, interleukin-2.
Thyroid radioactive iodine therapy
Thyroidectomy (Removal of thyroid gland)
Head or neck radiotherapy
Postpartum thyroiditis: Develops after 8 to 10 weeks of delivery.
Subacute granulomatous thyroiditis (rare), it is self-limiting.

Secondary: There is disturbance in pituitary-hypothalamus axis.

Pituitary tumors
Tumors compressing hypothalamus
Sheehan syndrome
Thyroid releasing hormone resistance
Thyroid releasing hormone deficiency
Lymphocytic hypophysitis
Radiation therapy
Drugs- dopamine, prednisone or opioids

Risk factors

Gender: female
Age above 60 years
Family history
Sjogren's syndrome and DM type 2

Symptoms

Menstrual disturbance
Constipation
Depression
Weight gain
Bradycardia (slowed pulse rate)
Intolerance to cold
Dry skin
Hair loss and dry hair
Sore throat
Muscular pain and stiffness
Inflamed thyroid gland
Carpel tunnel syndrome
Macroglossia
Pericardial effusion
Impaired memory

Diagnosis

Your doctor will manually examine your neck, to feel the type of any swelling if present.

Physical signs includes:

Dry skin
Delayed reflexes
Swelling of neck
Decrease heart rate

Work up

Your doctor will suggests you to undergo few blood tests; in case of suspected condition.

Thyroid stimulating hormone level; it is at higher limit. As your body is not producing enough amount of thyroid hormone; so to initiate its high production stimulating hormone will continue to release.

T3 and T4 level are suggested for further confirmation. If the report shows at lower limit then your doctor will advice the treatment accordingly.

Differential Diagnosis

Euthyroid sick syndrome
Goitre
Myxedema coma
Anemia
Subacute thyroiditis
Iodine deficiency
Addison's disease
Depression
Infertility

Complications

Main complication is myxedema coma which is an endocrine emergency.

Increased risks of myxedema coma are; inadequate dose of thyroid hormone, treatment interruption, undiagnosed condition and any acute illness/sepsis.

Treatment of hypothyroidism with homeopathy

1. Calcaera Carb

Indicated for simple goitre.
Calcium metabolism impairment. Glandular swelling.
It alters the blood causing anemia.
Easy sweating, partial on head and chest especially during sleep.
Patient are susceptible to cold. Cold moist air chills through and through; takes cold easily especially on chest.
Muscle sprain is common. Muscular atrophy.
Indicated for fair, fat, flabby, forty, and perspiring type of personality.
Patient is forgetful and depressed. Suspicious; thinks that people look at him suspiciously.
Menses too early and profuse, too long. Thick, milky, gushing or yellow leuchorrhea.
Weak pulse, with feeling of coldness. Oppression in chest.
Skin is cold, like snake; flaccid and unhealthy.

2. Lapis Albus

Silico-fluoride of calcium. It is indicated for new growths and glandular affections.
For simple goitre of soft doughy feel rather than hard indurated encapsulated.
Increases appetite. For person of anemic tendency.
Intense burning pain is present. Enlargement of glands especially cervical which are elastic.

3. Iodum

Indicated for glandular hypertrophy; thyroid hypertrophy.
Glands at first are swollen, hard and heavy; gradually begin to dwindle.
Anxiety of the present with depression; ameliorates after eating and walking in open air.
Aversion to company. Fear of people.
Easily forgets what is to be spoken.
Heart: feels being squeezed by an iron band followed by great weakness and faintness.
All symptoms are relieved by cold and eating.
Loss of weight despite good appetite.

4. Thyroidinum (Iodothyrinum)

Indicated for simple and exophthalmic goitre.
Enlargement and induration of all lobes of thyroid with dyspnea, hoarseness, short dry cough and vertigo.
Obesity, tachycardia, and tremor are main characteristics of this remedy.
General lymphatic glandular involvement throughout the body. A depressed mental condition.

Treatment with modern science

Levothyroxine is the drug of choice. It imitates the function of T4. Usual dose is 1.6 mcg/kg/day. However, the dose is decreased in patient with atrial fibrillation and in elderly patients.

The medicine should be taken 30 to 45 minutes before breakfast; and at least 3 hours post meal at bed time.

Elemental supplements such as calcium, magnesium may affect absorption of levothyroxine.