{"id":158,"date":"2022-04-07T12:07:00","date_gmt":"2022-04-07T19:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/?post_type=post_thyroid&#038;p=158"},"modified":"2025-02-05T11:28:30","modified_gmt":"2025-02-05T19:28:30","slug":"about-hypothyroidism","status":"publish","type":"post_thyroid","link":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/thyroid\/about-hypothyroidism\/","title":{"rendered":"About Hypothyroidism"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-electviolet-color has-text-color\">Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland, is a common condition.<sup>1<\/sup>&nbsp;It is caused when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. This under-production of hormones slows down the body\u2019s metabolism, often leaving patients feeling cold, tired and depressed.<sup>2<\/sup>&nbsp;If you suffer from hypothyroidism then you are also likely to notice you have gained weight, despite following a sensible diet and exercising regularly.<sup>1<\/sup><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:18px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Key symptoms of hypothyroidism<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The symptoms of hypothyroidism are unpleasant and nonspecific.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Symptoms include e.g.:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fatigue\/drowsiness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cold intolerance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight (despite a sensible diet and exercise)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Depression<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Constipation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Abnormal menstrual periods or fertility problems<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Joint or muscle problems<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Thin and brittle hair and fingernails, and\/or dry flaky skin<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Decreased libido<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If left untreated, hypothyroidism can cause more serious complications and even become life-threatening. Severe complications of hypothyroidism include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Slip into a coma<sup>1<\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Heart failure<sup>1<\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Severe life-threatening depression<sup>1<\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An increased risk of Alzheimer\u2019s disease in women <sup>5<\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Who is at risk?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Women are generally more prone to developing hypothyroidism, especially during pregnancy, after giving birth and around the menopause<sup>6<\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The elderly generation<sup>6<\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>People who have relatives with autoimmune disorders<sup>6<\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>People with autoimmune diseases e.g., type 1 diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis<sup>6<\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>People with manic depression<sup>6<\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>White and Asian populations<sup>6<\/sup><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Patients who have undergone radioactive iodine treatment, radiation therapy to the neck and upper chest<sup>6<\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Diagnosing thyroid dysfunction<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many people remain undiagnosed with thyroid problems and suffer for a long time as their symptoms are confused with those of other conditions, such as depression or weight gain.<sup>6<\/sup> Thyroid dysfunction can be confirmed by your doctor through a simple blood test.<sup>6<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you are concerned that you could be suffering from problems with your thyroid gland, please discuss this with your doctor. To aid your consultation, download our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/04\/ITAW_Wellbeing-Diary.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wellbeing Diary<\/a>&nbsp;to help you keep a check of the symptoms you are experiencing, or try our short thyroid disorders&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/en\/symptom-checker\/\">symptom checker<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How hypothyroidism is treated<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Treatment for thyroid dysfunction is straightforward, well-established, and highly effective.<sup>6<\/sup>&nbsp;As there is no cure for hypothyroidism, the aim of treatment is to replace the missing thyroid hormones in the body.<sup>6<\/sup>&nbsp;Appropriate medication, taken daily, should enable patients to live a symptom-free life.<sup>6<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, it is important to remember that treatment is a lifelong commitment and medication has to be taken every day, even when your symptoms are under control.<sup>6<\/sup>&nbsp;This may seem a bit daunting, but by taking control of your condition and complying with your medication you should be able to remain symptom-free.<sup>6<\/sup>&nbsp;It is advisable to see your doctor more frequently if any changes in your condition occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How thyroid hormones impact your heart<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The heart is a major target of thyroid hormones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Too little thyroid hormone as a consequence of an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) may cause:<sup>7<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Increased levels of low-density lipoprotein (\u201cbad\u201d) cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Higher blood pressure<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Low heart rate (less than 60 beats per minute)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increased stiffness of the walls of the blood vessels<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increased strain on the heart<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enlargement of the heart<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Even mild hypothyroidism worsens heart disease<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mild hypothyroidism affects 4\u201320% of the population and is more common in women than in men.<sup>8<\/sup>&nbsp;Older people are more likely to suffer from a slightly underactive thyroid gland.<sup>6<\/sup>&nbsp;If you have both heart disease and a slightly underactive thyroid then it is vital that your thyroid is returned to normal function. The presence of both diseases is associated with increased risk for death from heart disease.<sup>9<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n      <section class=\"reference-content\">\n        <div class=\"ref-header\">\n          <a class=\"collapsed\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapseExample\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapseExample\">\n            <i class=\"fas\"><\/i>\n            References          <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"collapse content-collapse\" id=\"collapseExample\">\n          <div class=\"row\">\n            <div class=\"col-12 text-reference\">\n              <ol>\n<li>Hypothyroidism: too little thyroid hormone. Available at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.endocrineweb.com\/conditions\/thyroid\/hypothyroidism-too-little-thyroid-hormone\">https:\/\/www.endocrineweb.com\/conditions\/thyroid\/hypothyroidism-too-little-thyroid-hormone<\/a>. Last accessed February 2025.<\/li>\n<li>American Thyroid Association. Hypothyroidism. Available at\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thyroid.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/patients\/brochures\/Hypo_brochure.pdf\">http:\/\/www.thyroid.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/patients\/brochures\/Hypo_brochure.pdf<\/a>. Last accessed February 2025.<\/li>\n<li>British Thyroid Foundation. Psychological symptoms and thyroid disorders. Available at\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.btf-thyroid.org\/information\/leaflets\/37-psychological-symptoms-guide\">http:\/\/www.btf-thyroid.org\/information\/leaflets\/37-psychological-symptoms-guide<\/a>. Last accessed February 2025.<\/li>\n<li>Poppe K, Velkeniers B, Glinoer D. The role of thyroid autoimmunity in fertility and pregnancy. Nat Clin Pract Endocrinol Metab 2008; 4: 394\u2013405<\/li>\n<li>Tan ZS, Beiser A, Vasan RS et al. Thyroid function and the risk of Alzheimer disease: the Framingham Study. Arch Intern Med 2008; 168: 1514\u20131520<\/li>\n<li>American Thyroid Association. Hypothyroidism. Available at\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.thyroid.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/patients\/brochures\/Hypothyroidism_web_booklet.pdf\">http:\/\/www.thyroid.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/patients\/brochures\/Hypothyroidism_web_booklet.pdf<\/a>. Last accessed February 2025.<\/li>\n<li>Hormone Health Network. Hypothyroidism and heart disease. Available at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hormone.org\/diseases-and-conditions\/hypothyroidism\">https:\/\/www.hormone.org\/diseases-and-conditions\/hypothyroidism<\/a>. Last accessed February 2025.<\/li>\n<li>Razvi S, Weaver JU, Pearce SH. Subclinical thyroid disorders: significance and clinical impact. J Clin Pathol 2010; 63: 379\u2013386<\/li>\n<li>Iervasi G, Molinaro S, Landi P et al. Association between increased mortality and mild thyroid dysfunction in cardiac patients. Arch Intern Med 2007; 167: 1526\u20131532<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/section>\n\n\n\n<p>GL-NONE-00212<br>Date of Prep: February 2025<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland, is a common condition.\u00a0It is caused when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":795,"template":"","category_thyroid":[7],"class_list":["post-158","post_thyroid","type-post_thyroid","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category_thyroid-the-thyroid"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>About Hypothyroidism - Sud\u00e1frica<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/thyroid\/about-hypothyroidism\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"About Hypothyroidism - Sud\u00e1frica\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland, is a common condition.\u00a0It is caused when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/thyroid\/about-hypothyroidism\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Sud\u00e1frica\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-02-05T19:28:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/01\/the-thyroid-nota-3.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1440\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"810\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/thyroid\/about-hypothyroidism\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/thyroid\/about-hypothyroidism\/\",\"name\":\"About Hypothyroidism - Sud\u00e1frica\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/thyroid\/about-hypothyroidism\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/thyroid\/about-hypothyroidism\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/01\/the-thyroid-nota-3.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-04-07T19:07:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-02-05T19:28:30+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/thyroid\/about-hypothyroidism\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/thyroid\/about-hypothyroidism\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/thyroid\/about-hypothyroidism\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/01\/the-thyroid-nota-3.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/01\/the-thyroid-nota-3.png\",\"width\":1440,\"height\":810},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/thyroid\/about-hypothyroidism\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"About Hypothyroidism\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/\",\"name\":\"Sud\u00e1frica\",\"description\":\"Otro sitio realizado con WordPress\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-ZA\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"About Hypothyroidism - Sud\u00e1frica","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/thyroid\/about-hypothyroidism\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"About Hypothyroidism - Sud\u00e1frica","og_description":"Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid gland, is a common condition.\u00a0It is caused when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones...","og_url":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/thyroid\/about-hypothyroidism\/","og_site_name":"Sud\u00e1frica","article_modified_time":"2025-02-05T19:28:30+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1440,"height":810,"url":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/01\/the-thyroid-nota-3.png","type":"image\/png"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/thyroid\/about-hypothyroidism\/","url":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/thyroid\/about-hypothyroidism\/","name":"About Hypothyroidism - Sud\u00e1frica","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/thyroid\/about-hypothyroidism\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/thyroid\/about-hypothyroidism\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/01\/the-thyroid-nota-3.png","datePublished":"2022-04-07T19:07:00+00:00","dateModified":"2025-02-05T19:28:30+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/thyroid\/about-hypothyroidism\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-ZA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/thyroid\/about-hypothyroidism\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-ZA","@id":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/thyroid\/about-hypothyroidism\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/01\/the-thyroid-nota-3.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/46\/2022\/01\/the-thyroid-nota-3.png","width":1440,"height":810},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/thyroid\/about-hypothyroidism\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"About Hypothyroidism"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/","name":"Sud\u00e1frica","description":"Otro sitio realizado con WordPress","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-ZA"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_thyroid\/158","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_thyroid"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post_thyroid"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/795"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=158"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category_thyroid","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www2.thyroidaware.com\/za\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/category_thyroid?post=158"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}