Medical

Hypothyroidism side effects and symptoms are many and varied. The symptoms are common across a host of other disorders so may not immediately be associated with hypothyroidism. Additionally they invariably start out mild and are easily overlooked. However, by being vigilant about your health and talking to your doctor about any noticeable changes, you can successfully arrest hypothyroidism in its early stages for an excellent long term prognosis. Without proper treatment however there are many serious complications that can develop with hypothyroidism. But, in order to treat the disease correctly it is essential to be properly diagnosed. This is the only way the exact level of the disease can be determined and appropriate treatment prescribed. Order your At-Home Thyroid Test NOW! Results in 3 days! Collect your sample, mail it back in the prepaid envelope, and receive results by email or phone. Hypothyroidism side effects vary across age groups. Some of the serious hypothyroidism side effects are as follows: Myxedema Coma: this is the ultimate outcome of ignoring hypothyroidism side effects! Symptoms of this extreme but fortunately rare form of hypothyroidism are: Hypothermia or sudden drops in body temperature Inability to regulate inner core temperature Lung problems Drop in pulse rate and low heartbeat ie bradycardia Losing consciousness Constipation Fluid retention Coma Heat and cold intolerance Interesting Questions about Thyroid: Have more questions? Need more answers? Check our Full Thyroid FAQ Suppurative Thyroiditis (AIT): This is an acute infectious form of thyroiditis that can be fatal if left untreated. We've listed it as one of the hypothyroidism side effects because it is more common in patients with either Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism or thyroid cancer. Fortunately it is rare for the thyroid to become infected due to its high iodine levels. Iodine of course is a natural antiseptic and helps destroy pathogens in the thyroid before they can become a problem. However there are some types of bacterium that have the potential to cause AIT, notably: several strains of Staphylococcus (aureus/epidermidis), Streptococcus (pyogenes/pneumoniae). More common in children Eikenella corrodens, Enterobacteriaceae, Haemophilus influenza, Klebsiella, Streptococcus viridans Salmonella AIT is also linked with severe upper respiratory tract infections. Common symptoms of AIT include: Fever Strong pain and swelling in the thyroid gland making it difficult to swallow More information about hypothyroidism side effects can be found online. Most countries have a thyroid association or foundation where you can get a huge amount of information. As always, if you suspect you could be suffering from hypothyroidism, seek medical attention.