Has anyone ever told you they're heavy because they have hypothyroidism? Are you wondering if you have it? Or, did you recently receive a diagnosis and aren't sure what it is? At Total Health Primary Care, serving Selma, TX, and the nearby region, our Dr. Gloria Wright and Dr. Anthony Wright treat this condition and would love you to better understand it.
General Information
Hypothyroidism is a term that means your thyroid produces less-than-normal levels of hormones necessary for metabolism, body temperature, and heart rate.
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
When your body doesn't produce normal amounts of these essential hormones, you may experience a number of issues. Keep in mind that being overweight can be due to hypothyroidism, but that's not always the case. Besides just weight gain, you might also notice your face looks puffy.
You may also notice a change in your sensitivity to temperature. You may have a greater sensitivity to cold. Your skin may feel dry.
Women may have heavier than normal or irregular menstrual cycles. They may have thinning hair or a slower-than-normal heart rate. It can also affect your memory and cause depression.
Causes
Although infants can have this condition, it's more prevalent in people as they age. An autoimmune disease, for instance, could trigger it. Certain medications are known to cause hypothyroidism as well, such as some chemotherapies and hepatitis C treatment. Sometimes, a person who has hyperthyroidism may seek medical treatment that causes hypothyroidism. Thyroid surgery is also a cause, and these are merely a few examples.
Treating Hypothyroidism
The first step to treatment a Selma, TX, doctor from our practice will take is to take a blood sample to assess your TSH levels. This is a highly accurate way to diagnose the condition. We can even tell if you have a problem sometimes before you have any symptoms through this testing.
Next, we'll determine the appropriate treatment based on the severity of your condition. The treatment is a synthetic hormone known as levothyroxine. It corrects the deficit, which will in return fix any symptoms you have, such as weight gain and fatigue.
The amount you may need to take can fluctuate over time. As a result, you'll need to visit our office once yearly to have your levels reassessed. You may also need to visit us if you notice symptoms are resurfacing. At this point, we can alter the dosage.
Dr. Wright and Dr. Wright of Total Health Primary Care, serving Selma, TX, and the general vicinity, see patients who have hypothyroidism. They understand the concerns patients have and can help you eliminate those unpleasant symptoms through the use of a medication. Call us for an appointment at (210) 654-9300.