Informational Articals - Hashimoto's Hypothyroidism

Many Husbands Think Their Wives Are Crazy!

Hypothyroidism is the disease state in humans and animals caused by insufficient production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland. It affects about 5% of the United Kingdom population over 60 years of age. As of 2006, more than 1% of the United Kingdom population were receiving T₄ (Thyroxine) replacement therapy for hypothyroidism.

Diagnostic testing

To diagnose primary hypothyroidism, many doctors simply measure the amount of Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) being produced. High levels of TSH indicate that the thyroid is not producing sufficient levels of Thyroid hormone (mainly as thyroxine (T4) and smaller amounts of triiodothyronine (fT3)). However, measuring just TSH fails to diagnose secondary and tertiary forms of hypothyroidism, thus leading to the following suggested blood testing if the TSH is normal and hypothyroidism is still suspected:

• thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
• free triiodothyronine (fT3)
• free levothyroxine (fT4)
• total T3
• total T4

Additionally, the following measurements may be needed:

• antithyroid antibodies - for evidence of autoimmune diseases that may be damaging the thyroid gland
• serum cholesterol - which may be elevated in hypothyroidism
• prolactin - as a widely available test of pituitary function
• testing for anemia, including ferritin

Treatment

Main article: Medical use of thyroid hormones

Both synthetic and animal-derived thyroid tablets are available and can be prescribed for patients in need of additional thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone is taken daily, and doctors can monitor blood levels to help assure proper dosaging.

The American Thyroid Association cautions against taking herbal remedies, and warns that taking too much iodine can actually worsen hypothyroidism.

Some researchers would suggest that there is no benefit to treatment with the T₄ - T₃ combination therapy over the T₄ monotherapy. A meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials found no advantage with the T₄ - T₃ combination therapy over the T₄ monotherapy.

However, many of the studies involved in this meta-analysis were not properly designed. They tested the medication's effectiveness by providing the same dose of thyroid medication to each patient and by utilizing the TSH test as a measure of treatment effectiveness. Thyroid medication must be individualized to the patient, carefully observing free T4 and free T3 (not TSH, which is a diagnostic tool but not a treatment tool). Beneficial effects would not expect to be seen at doses not tailored to the individual's needs. Clinically, most physicians prescribing T3 as part or all of a hypothyroid patient's treatment find that most patients receiving T3 in fact must be on a larger dose than was administered in these studies. The meta-analysis results ought to be held in question, therefore; and the knowledgeable physician will administer T3 medication for the hypothyroid patient who continues to present with symptoms and whose free T3 level is low, or low in the range.

Subclinical hypothyroidism

A meta-analysis by the Cochrane Collaboration found no benefit except "some parameters of lipid profiles and left ventricular function".

If you have an under-active thyroid, then you need... "23 Hypothyroidism Treatments Your Endocrinologist Would Never Prescribe BUT Are Proven To Work To Relieve You Of..." Depression (No more Prozac) Moon Face (Excessive weight gain) Hair Loss (Absolutely frightening!)

"These and other common effects of Hypothyroidism can finally be treated with home remedies. They're all natural, and are easily accessible. Better yet...they're not expensive. But the big drug companies can't patent them so doctors will never prescribe them..."

You can put the Synthroid down. Some women have taken it for years and their hair still breaks at the root. Worse yet, other women have been misdiagnosed two times in a row and there seems to be a general disrespect of the millions of Hypothyroidism sufferers from the medical establishment. And worse still... Some Doctors Don't Even Listen! I've read multiple accounts of women telling their doctors there is something wrong. However, it seemed like the doctors "never" thought of Hypothyroidism as the reason for their symptoms. And one particular case that sticks in my mind is only after a mother in the emergency room, telling the doctor her daughter might be suffering from Hypo did the "light bulb" go off in the doctors head. Case after case, women are being misdiagnosed. It's bad enough some doctors aren't listening...but...to add insult to unjury... Many Husbands Think Their Wives Are Crazy! Talk about the most frustrating of all! Here you are, in quiet desperation-suffering. And your husband not only had no clue about what you're going through...but thinks... "It's all in your mind". Complete outrage! Nobody seems to understand you except others who suffer from the same problem. It would almost be bearable...but... There's A Drought Of Information About Living With Hypothyroidism There's little support out there for Hypothyroidism sufferers. There's very unfortunate stories of women who've tried to get Social Security help...but couldn't. It's tragic! Over a million people in America suffer from Hypothyroidism and no one seems to even know. There are support systems in place for every other disease. But nothing for you. End The Mocking Of "Panic Attacks" Now!

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