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Sleep disorders, tiredness and Co hypothyroidism can be treated well
When problems with the thyroid gland often the entire metabolism gets out of balance. In patients with hypothyroidism also suffers the psyche. The disease can usually be treated well after a definite diagnosis.
Diagnosis often between 40 and 60 years of age
At least two percent of all women, but only about 0.1 to 0.2 percent of men suffer from the German Association of Internal Medicine (BDI) to a hypothyroidism. According to the experts, this is usually discovered between the ages of 40 and 60. "The incidence rate increases with age," the experts write on their website "Internal Medicine on the Net". In a message from the news agency dpa experts have important information on the subject.
In hypothyroidism, the entire metabolism gets out of balance. If the diagnosis is, the disease can be treated well. (Image: Andrey Popov / fotolia.com) Effects on the complete metabolism
Symptoms that may indicate that the thyroid gland is no longer controlling hormone production include sleep disorders, hair loss, weight gain and tearfulness. Fatigue and freezing can also indicate the disease.
In the butterfly-shaped organ hormones are formed, which are needed for cell growth and metabolism. When it stops functioning properly and produces fewer hormones than the body needs during a hypofunction, this affects the entire metabolism.
Non-specific symptoms
"It is often very unspecific symptoms," said Markus Quante, a specialist in internal medicine and family doctor in Münster, in the dpa message. "Patients complain about a performance loss and lack of drive, can not concentrate anymore, have constipation and brittle hair or fingernails."
In addition, many sufferers report depression-like moods, in which they seemingly cry out in tears and can not explain their condition. "They feel really bad," says Quante.
Laboratory and ultrasound examination
According to the expert, you should see a doctor if the symptoms persist for several weeks and more symptoms come on. This can determine from the blood values, if actually the thyroid is responsible for the problems.
"It can be seen from the nonspecific complaints already that it is difficult to make an assignment," said the head of the focus on Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases of the University of Mainz, Prof. Matthias M. Weber.
According to the endocrinologist, symptoms such as hair loss or tiredness alone are not meaningful. "You always need a laboratory exam." The thyroid gland is also checked by ultrasound to detect changes in size or structure.
Six millimeters large thyroid gland
The agency report also deals with the special case of a patient: In the case of the 40-year-old Alexandra Burmeister, the symptoms were also unspecific, the hypothyroidism was recognized very late. "In the beginning I had mood swings, panic attacks and fears," explained the Hamburger.
Although it got worse, but only seven years later, a family doctor made an ultrasound of the thyroid gland. "It turned out that my thyroid gland was only six millimeters in size, which is much too small," says Burmeister. She was diagnosed with hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis destroys thyroid tissue
"This is one of the most common autoimmune diseases in humans," explained Prof. Weber. "It destroys the thyroid tissue and inactivates the thyroid gland - until it completely fails."
Hashimoto's thyroiditis sometimes occurs simultaneously with other autoimmune diseases. Among other things with type 1 diabetes, celiac disease (gluten allergy) or white spot disease. Barbara Schulte, chairman of the Thyroid League Germany, said in an earlier message: "Hashimoto is not a bad disease, you just have to recognize it soon enough."
Hypothyroidism is good to treat
Quante also emphasized that a hypofunction of the thyroid gland was good to treat. "Patients receive L-thyroxine, which replaces the under-or-under-thyroid hormone in tablet form."
According to Weber, treatment "in the vast majority of cases" is lifelong. "Therefore, one should also be very accurate with the diagnosis" hypothyroidism. "The expert recommends patients with unclear laboratory values to consult an experienced endocrinologist.
However, both Quante and Weber emphasized that an actually diagnosed hypothyroidism should necessarily be treated. Otherwise the whole system could collapse. (Ad)