symptom thyroid

Common symptom of hypothyroidism included weight gain, fatique, cold intolerence, depression, constipation, dry skin, muscles and joint aches, menorrhagia and slowed mental processing. Physical signs may be few and may include cool and dry skin, bradycardia, hung up, reflexes, periorbital oedema, thinning of the outher third of the eyebrows, hoarse voice or goitre.

Hypothyroidism is suggested if several of these features occur in combination or with recent onset. Elderly patients may presents atypically, with congestive cardiac faolure or hypothermia. Some specialist groups advocate routine screening of thyroid fuction, particularly in older women, although currently there is insufficient evidence to support population based screening. However it is generally agreed that patients deemed to be at higher risk of developing hypothyroidism have throid fuction tests at regular intervals.

The cause of hypothyroidism include, Autoimmune thyroid disease which is the most common cause of primary hypothyroidism. Congential hypothyroidism for which new born TSH sceening is performed. Thyroid or head and neck surgery, Previous neck irradiation, Previous radioactive iodine treatment for thyrotoxicosis, Thyroiditis, Drug treatment such as amiodarone, lithium and interferon.

Patients with this conditions listed above and patients with other autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes or a family history of autoimmune throid disease, should be screened regulars with thyroid function tests. The presence of hyperlipidaemia, hyponatraemia,hyperprolactinaemia or an elevated creatinine kinase level warrents screening with TSH measurement.