What is hypothyroidism?

Question

What is hypothyroidism?

Answer

The thyroid gland, which is situated in the base of the neck, is concerned with the regulation of the metabolic rate by the secretion of thyroid hormone. In hypothyroidism the thyroid gland produces an inadequate amount of thyroxine, the thyroid hormone. This causes a slowing of the body's metabolism. There is a mental and physical slowing, undue sensitivity to cold, slowing of the pulse, weight gain and coarsening of the skin.

The symptoms vary widely depending upon the severity of the deficiency of thyroxine. Synthetic thyroid hormone is the treatment of choice; when given in the correct dose (checked by regular tests of the thyroxine blood level), leads to an improvement of symptoms over a period of time.

Links

• Thyroid gland tests