Hypothyroidism Research Paper

Hypothyroidism is a disease in which the thyroid gland produces and releases insufficient amounts of the thyroxine hormone – causing the body’s metabolism to slow. This decrease in hormonal activity can cause further developmental and health problems as thyroxine is an important growth hormone. Hypothyroidism is not gender skewed, it can occur in either sex – at any age – however it is most often apparent among middle aged women (Litin, 1017). There are many signs and symptoms that arise from this condition that can be detected during the extra-oral examination portion of the dental appointment, making hypothyroidism an important documentable disease. It is in the clinician’s best interest to be able to identify these symptoms to further guide

As a treatment for this condition, the patient should seek guidance of their physician for a prescribed daily medication. Medications such as Levothroid, Levoxyl, and other synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxines are often prescribed to level the hormone function by the function of a single pill (Litin, 1018). Symptoms of the disease should diminish as the medication is taken and should be completely subsided after a few months of the prescribed treatment. The treatment is often lifelong and routine blood tests are suggested to be taken as it is common for the body’s thyroid production to change over the patient’s lifetime (Litin, 1018). It is important for the patient to be consistent when taking their prescribed medication, and to note it on their medical history as it is possible it could cause complications with other

With this in mind, the physician often suggests a blood sample to be taken for analysis of the thyroxine hormone levels at each annual physical (Litin, 1017). An underactive thyroid is characterized by many symptoms, and if shown at an earlier age the doctor may also draw blood to test. The family medical history of the patient is an important collection as well. If the patient has a parent, grandparent or close relative with an autoimmune disease, the need to test for hypothyroidism increases significantly (Litin, 1018). Through the testing of the patient’s levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine, the physician will be able to correctly diagnose their symptoms as a result to having hypothyroidism. In response to not receiving enough thyroxine, the pituitary will make extra TSH – in an attempt to persuade the thyroid to produce more hormone (Norman). The constant flourish of high TSH causes the thyroid gland to become a goiter by enlargement (Norman). It is noted that low levels of the hormone thyroxine with a combination of high levels of TSH, is an affirmation sign of hypothyroidism (Litin, 1018). Once the patient is correctly diagnosed, the physician may begin treating the