Hypothyroidism means your thyroid is not making enough thyroid hormone. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck. It makes hormones that control the way your body uses energy. Having a low level of thyroid hormone affects your whole body. It can make you feel tired and weak. If hypothyroidism is not treated, it can raise your cholesterol levels and make you more likely to have a heart attack or stroke. During pregnancy, untreated hypothyroidism can harm your baby.

In the United States, the most common cause is Hashimoto's thyroiditis. It causes the body's immune system to attack thyroid tissue. As a result, the gland can't make enough thyroid hormone. Other things that can lead to low levels of thyroid hormone include surgery to remove the thyroid gland and radiation therapy for cancer. Less common causes include viral infections and some drugs, such as lithium.

Your doctor will ask questions about your symptoms. You will also have a physical exam. If your doctor thinks you have hypothyroidism, a simple blood test can show if your thyroid hormone level is too low.

It's important to watch for signs of the disease so it can be treated promptly. These signs may be easy to miss, so testing is a good idea for:

In the United States, the most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a condition that causes the body's defenses-or immune system-to produce antibodies that over time destroy thyroid tissue. As a result, the thyroid gland cannot make enough thyroid hormone. Worldwide, iodine deficiency is the number one cause of hypothyroidism. Iodine added to salt, food, and water has eliminated this problem in the United States and other Western countries. Thyroid surgery.

The symptoms of hypothyroidism are varied and many. They develop gradually, and at first, are hardly noticeable. According to the Mayo Clinic, “...as your metabolism continues to slow, you may develop more obvious signs and symptoms, including: A deficiency of Iodine can cause a cascade of metabolic events, resulting in serious endocrine-related imbalances.” Think of a line of dominoes. When one falls down, the others follow.

In 2005, The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists said nearly one out of every 50 women in the United States is diagnosed with hypothyroidism during pregnancy. One out of every five women over the age of 75 has Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, the most common cause of hypothyroidism. In 1998 the Thyroid Federation International reported 1 in 4,000 babies is born with congenital hypothyroidism.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/exercise-and-yoga-another-way-to-treat-hypothyroidism-217790.html Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!