Overview

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid disease) is a condition that happens when your thyroid gland doesn’t make or release enough hormone into your bloodstream. As a result, your metabolism slows down. This can cause unintentional weight gain and make you feel exhausted all the time.

Although weight gain and fatigue aren’t specific to hypothyroidism, a simple blood test can help your healthcare provider check for this condition.

In general, hypothyroidism is very treatable. Most people can manage the condition with medication and regular follow-up visits with their endocrinologist.

Left untreated over long periods of time, hypothyroidism can become life-threatening. If you develop new symptoms, it’s important to get an evaluation.

Types of hypothyroidism

There are four main types of hypothyroidism:

  • Primary hypothyroidism directly impacts your thyroid and causes it to make low levels of thyroid hormones. In turn, your pituitary gland makes more thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto’s disease can cause it, or it can happen after thyroid gland surgery or radiation therapy. Primary hypothyroidism is the most common type.
  • Secondary hypothyroidism occurs when you have an underactive pituitary gland (a pea-sized gland at the base of your brain). This rare type of hypothyroidism prevents your pituitary gland from sending TSH to your thyroid gland.
  • Tertiary hypothyroidism happens when your hypothalamus (a structure in your brain that keeps your body in a stable state called homeostasis) doesn’t make enough thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). As a result, your pituitary gland can’t make enough TSH.
  • Subclinical hypothyroidism, also known as mild thyroid failure, happens when you have slightly elevated TSH levels, but all other thyroid hormone levels are within a typical range. Subclinical hypothyroidism usually goes away on its own in about three months.

How common is hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism can affect anyone. It’s most common among people assigned female at birth (AFAB) over age 60, particularly after menopause.

Products & Services
A Book: Future Care

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

Request an appointment


Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.
The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:
  • High blood pressure.
  • Diabetes.
  • Heart failure.
  • Some types of heart valve disease.
Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:
  • Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
  • Don't smoke or use tobacco.
  • Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
  • Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
  • Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Reduce and manage stress.


Print

Living with atrial fibrillation?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Heart Rhythm Conditions support group on Freedmans Health Clinic Connect, a patient community.

Heart Rhythm Conditions Discussions

See more discussions

Comments are closed for this post.