Having low thyroid levels is popularly known as hypothyroidism.  The thyroid gland secretes extremely low thyroid hormones, or worse, is incapable of making hormones. Before we proceed, let’s talk about the thyroid gland first. What is its importance in the body and how does it function?

The thyroid is a small, bow-tie shaped gland found under the skin of the neck just below the Adam’s apple. It produces hormones that are needed for the metabolism, burning of calories (fats and carbohydrates) and other vital processes needed by the body to function. It secretes and stores these hormones and releases it when the body demands for it. What are the names of these hormones that we are talking about? They are your Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3).  Between the two hormones,  T4 is slower to react. Therefore, it is further converted into T3, which reacts faster to the needs of the body. 

The hypothalamus is also involved in this process. It releases another hormone called,  thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH). What does it do? It tells our pituitary gland, another gland that plays a key role in the release of T3 and T4, to release thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).  From the name itself, our TSH, stimulates the thyroid to release T3 and T4. Hence, low thyroid levels in the blood will automatically invert.  The amount of T3 and T4 released depends upon the TSH it receives from the pituitary gland. Also,  the thyroid controls the quantity of hormones given to the system according to its needs. Therefore, if the patient has a disease associated with the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland, it may also directly affect the function of the thyroid.

Let’s proceed to the causes of hypothyroidism. The most common cause is an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Hashimoto was the first to describe it in 1912. An autoimmune disease is a process whereby your body makes antibodies against its own tissue.  In Hashimoto thyroiditis, the thyroid is the gland that is being attacked by the antibodies. It causes an inflammation and therefore affects the function of the thyroid disenabling it to release hormones into the blood stream. Thence, hypothyroidism follows.

Another cause is the surgery of the thyroid, wherein hypothyroidism becomes one of its complication. This procedure may be performed for patients with thyroid cancer. Radiation therapy is also another procedure for cancer patients. Both of these treatments may invariably affect the thyroid and its function.

Radioactive Iodine Therapy is a treatment for patients with Goiter or hyperthyroidism. It targets a portion of the thyroid to prevent enlargement of the thyroid (Goiter), as well as, increase production of hormones (hyperthyroidism). It can incapacitate the thyroid to produce sufficient hormones to meet the requirements of the body.

Some babies are born with a problematic thyroid.  Not only that, there are also cases wherein the thyroid is not present at all. The reasons may be unknown, or it could be inherited from their parents. Nonetheless, a screening test for newborns has been developed for this kind of disorder.

Iodine is an important requirement in the production of your T3 and T4.  It is found, not only in all food substances but also in water. The fortification of iodine in our table salt has alleviated this problem.

Patients with low thyroid levels manifest the following symptoms:

• Weight gain
• Fatigue
• Cold Intolerance
• Dry and coarse hair
• Sleepiness
• Dry skin
• Constipation
• Decreased Concentration
• Muscle Cramps
• Depression
• Irritability
• Memory loss