It is important to have blood levels checked regularly even after the correct dose is found. Do I need to continue to monitor my thyroid levels? Once you start taking levothyroxine, you should have your blood checked in 4–6 weeks to measure the level of thyroxine and to make sure you are taking the right dose. Levothyroxine is a tablet that is usually taken once a day. The most commonly used medication to treat hypothyroidism is called levothyroxine. It is very important for patients to have their thyroid hormones checked and receive appropriate treatment if they wish to have a baby or are already pregnant. Also, if you are pregnant and your hypothyroidism is not treated, your baby may be born prematurely (before the predicted due date), weigh less than normal, and have lowered mental capacity. Hypothyroidism can also interfere with the development of an embryo (fertilized egg). But women who have hypothyroidism may release an egg less frequently or not at all. Typically, for women who have periods (menstruate) each month, an egg is released from the ovary each month. Hypothyroidism can prevent the release of the egg from the ovary (ovulation). How does hypothyroidism affect my fertility and my baby if I become pregnant? Thyroid autoantibodies are seen in patients with Hashimoto’s (autoimmune) thyroiditis.
An autoantibody is an antibody that attacks the cells and tissues of the organism that made it. It is typically low in patients with hypothyroidism. T4 is a hormone produced directly by the thyroid gland. Sometimes, however, the immune system can make antibodies against your own body-such as against your thyroid.
Antibodies are substances made by your immune system, usually to protect you against bacterial and viral infections. Other blood tests include measuring T4 and thyroid autoantibodies. An elevated TSH level usually means the thyroid gland is not making enough thyroid hormone, and the pituitary gland has responded by making more TSH to try to get the thyroid hormone levels where they should be. The main test used to detect hypothyroidism is measuring blood levels of TSH. In many cases, the specific cause of hypothyroidism is not known. Hypothyroidism also can occur after thyroid surgery or radioactive iodine therapy given to treat hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism and goiter can also result from not getting enough iodine in your diet. This may cause the thyroid gland to enlarge, known as goiter. The body’s immune system mistakenly sends out antibodies to destroy the cells in the thyroid gland. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disorder called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
At first, the symptoms of hypothyroidism may not be noticed, but over time these symptoms may become more obvious and severe and can include the following: When the thyroid gland produces less thyroid hormone than it should (hypothyroidism), metabolism slows down and causes a variety of symptoms. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland, which is located in the brain. The thyroid gland is controlled (regulated) by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Metabolism is the body’s ability to transform food into energy. These hormones play an important role in metabolism. The thyroid gland produces two hormones: triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). The thyroid gland is found in the lower part of the throat and partially wraps around the upper windpipe (trachea). Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is when the thyroid gland produces less thyroid hormone than it should.
Hypothyroidism up to date pdf#
Download a PDF of this fact sheet here What is hypothyroidism?
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