HypothyridismHypothyroidism is caused by an underproduction of thyroid hormone.
Since the hormones of the thyroid gland regulate metabolism in every cell of the body, a deficiency of thyroid hormones can affect virtually all body functions. The severity of symptoms in the adult ranges from extremely mild deficiency states which are barely recognizable (sub clinical hypothyroidism) to severe deficiency states which are life threatening (myxoedema).
There is much controversy over the diagnosis of hypothyroidism. Before the use of blood measurements, it was common to diagnose hypothyroidism based on Basal Body Temperature - the body temperature at rest - and Achilles reflex - reflexes are slowed in hypothyroidism. With the advent of sophisticated laboratory measurements of thyroid hormones these functional tests stopped being used. However, it is now considered that the blood tests may not be sensitive enough to diagnose milder forms of hypothyroidism or sub-clinical hypothyroidism. As sub-clinical hypothyroidism is the most common form of hypothyroidism, the majority of people with hypothyroidism are not diagnosed.
Typically the onset of hypothyroidism is insidious and gradually progressive, often other changes in hormones may be the trigger such as: -
- Puberty
- Starting or ceasing the oral contraceptive pill
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Pregnancy (many women complain they have never felt right after the birth of one of their children)
- Breast feeding (starting or stopping)
- Menopause
This can undermine the effectiveness of a lot of natural therapy treatments and it is critical that thyroid function be evaluated as hypothyroidism can be an underlying factor in a large number of diseases. eg. A person may present with dry, scaly skin which could indicate zinc, Vitamin A or essential fatty acids, if their thyroid is under functioning then no amount of treatment using these remedies will assist the person. A person may be really tired and no amount of good food or nutritional supplements will assist the person until their thyroid normalizes.
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