Of course, if you have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels), you must take regular medications to control the disease. If ignored or left untreated, it can lead to several health complications such as heart disease, infertility, and neurological problems.
Here is a list of the most common complications of hypothyroidism that you should know. Goiter: Untreated hypothyroidism may expose you to goiter, a condition that causes an enlarged thyroid gland. Low levels of thyroid hormone send a signal to the pituitary causing the production of thyroid stimulating hormone. As its name suggests, this hormone stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones that cause glandular growth. This mechanism is mainly triggered by hypothyroidism caused by iodine deficiency. Cardiovascular Problems: Few people know that hypothyroidism, even the slightest, can have a significant impact on heart health. Low levels of thyroid hormone can increase blood cholesterol, which can lead to heart disease. High cholesterol can lead to blood vessel constriction and hardening, known as arteriosclerosis, which increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Hypothyroidism can also cause excessive accumulation of fluid in and around the heart (pericardial effusion), making it difficult for the heart to pump blood. A study published in the journal Circulation [2] in 2007 showed that the amount of blood pumped through the heart in each beat was reduced by 30 to 50%. In addition, low T3 hormones can also cause heart failure. Kidney Disease: Severe hypothyroidism can reduce blood flow to the kidneys, affecting the function of the organ. This, in turn, can affect your ability to eliminate water and absorb sodium from your urine. This leads to unusually low sodium content (sodium deficiency). In addition, thyroid hormones also have a significant impact on kidney growth and development. Neurological complications: Uncontrolled long-term hypothyroidism may affect the function of the peripheral and central nervous system. Hypothyroidism can cause peripheral neuropathy and damage the peripheral nerves. This can cause symptoms such as numbness and tingling, muscle weakness and pain in the extremities (arms and legs). According to one study, about 40% of children and adolescents with congenital hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels since birth) suffer from the cerebral dysfunction that affects gait and motor function. Infertility: Low thyroid hormones can affect fertility. In women, hypothyroidism can interfere with ovulation and menstrual disorders that can lead to infertility. In humans, hypothyroidism is known to cause abnormal sperm morphology and erectile dysfunction. Pregnancy complications: Uncontrolled hypothyroidism in pregnant women not only can lead to complications during pregnancy and childbirth but can also affect the growth and development of the fetus. In pregnant women, this also increases the risk of pre-eclampsia (hypertension and pregnancy complications), preterm labor, abortion, postpartum depression and bleeding. It also causes intrauterine fetal death, fetal retardation (both physical and mental), and congenital fetal abnormalities. This can increase the risk of maternal and child morbidity and mortality. Myxedema: is a rare but potentially fatal disease that results from undiagnosed long-term hypothyroidism. It is characterized by intolerance to intense cold, lethargy, drowsiness, and loss of consciousness. If not treated in time, it can cause a disease called myxedema coma. Therefore, it is recommended that you consult an emergency physician if you have any of these symptoms. For this reason, strict diet restrictions, adequate medication, and regular testing are required to ensure proper functioning of the thyroid gland. (About GoMedii: GoMedii is a healthcare marketplace, where you can connect with online pharmacy stores in India to purchase medicine online in Noida and get hassle-free doorstep delivery within 4 hours. You may simply download the GoMedii app for Android or iOS.)
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October 2018
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