Definition
We speak of hypothyroidism when the thyroid gland is no longer able to ensure the amount of thyroid hormones required by the body to fulfill its needs. Hypothyroidism can occur from birth (cretinism) or appear in adulthood, especially in women over 50.
Causes
In addition to congenital origin (absence of thyroid since birth), hypothyroidism can be caused by multiple etiological elements: surgical removal of the thyroid, intake of antithyroid drugs, intake of radioactive iodine (used for example for the treatment of hyperthyroidism), iodine deficiency in the diet, hypophyseal and hypothalamic diseases, thyroid autoimmune diseases (Hashimoto's disease), administration of particular pharmacological specialties (eg lithium: form of transient hypothyroidism).
Symptoms
If it is a fetal hypothyroidism, the symptoms are very heavy and affect the brain and structural development of the unborn child. If hypothyroidism is the result of pathologies, drugs or thyroidectomy, the symptoms can be multiple: alteration of menstrual regularity, mood alteration, anemia, asthenia, bradycardia, loss of sexual desire, brittle hair, thinning hair, muscle cramps, pain in the bones and muscles, goiter, weight gain, hypertension, drowsiness, skin xerosis.
Diet and Nutrition
Information on hypothyroidism - drugs for the treatment of hypothyroidism is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Hypothyroidism - Drugs for Hypothyroidism.
drugs
In case of ascertained hypothyroidism it is a good rule to follow an immediate therapeutic path; also in the eventuality of presumed pathology, it is advisable to request a medical consultation, to avoid that the symptoms worsen over time. Hypothyroidism, compared to the opposite pathology (hyperthyroidism) is much easier to treat and control, thanks to the aid of appropriate synthetic drugs, whose dosage must always be established by the doctor, and possibly modulated during the course of disease.
It is also useful to treat secondary symptoms derived from hypothyroidism, such as anemia.
The correction of eating habits is not only useful to better cope with therapy, but it is necessary to avoid constipation, which often accompanies those suffering from hypothyroidism.
In the event of neonatal hypothyroidism, it is necessary to intervene promptly to induce physiological development; the administration of hormones T3 and T4 already appears to be decisive from the earliest stages of embryo development. The future child will have to take thyroid hormones throughout his life, paying particular attention to food. From here he understands how substitution therapy is essential in pregnant women suffering from hypothyroidism.
- Levothyroxine sodium (eg Eutirox, Syntroxine, Tiracrin, Tirosint): this drug is widely used in therapy for hypothyroidism, as well as being the drug of choice for the treatment of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The dosage, always accurately established by the treating physician, can be modified from patient to patient, based on the levels of thyroid hormones in the blood, the TSH level and the patient's response to therapy. As an indication, the drug should be administered by mouth at a dose of 12.5-50 mcg / day. It is possible to increase the dose up to 12.5-50 mcg a day, every 1-2 weeks, in full compliance with the indications established by the doctor. In children and the elderly, the dose is generally changed after a longer period of time (every 3-6 weeks). Do not exceed 200 mcg. If parenteral intake is required (different from the oral route), the dose of the drug drops by 50-75% compared to oral administration. Some drugs / foods can heavily affect the absorption of this substance: sucralfate, calcium supplements (eg Calcium Carbonate), iron supplements, CCColestyramine (eg Questran), aluminum hydroxide.
- Liothyronine sodium (eg. Liotir, Titre): it is a drug very similar to the previous one, from a therapeutic point of view, but the molecule tends to be metabolized more quickly by the body: the therapeutic effect, therefore, occurs after some hours but vanishes within 1-2 days from the end of the treatment. It is recommended to start the administration of the drug at a dose of 25 mcg, to be taken orally once every 24 hours. The dose can be increased by 25 mcg every 7-14 days, under the supervision of a doctor. The maintenance dose generally ranges from 25 to 75 mcg per day. Do not stop therapy, even in the absence of the typical symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Notes : practical dietary advice to best address therapy to treat hypothyroidism:
- Prefer foods rich in iodine: marine fish, molluscs, brown algae, cow's milk, eggs
- Season the foods with iodized salt
- Follow a balanced diet in fiber, useful to counteract the constipation that often accompanies hypothyroidism
- The intake of broccoli, cauliflower, flaxseed, turnips and radishes seems to increase the iodine requirement, therefore the consumption of these foods, in the context of ascertained or presumed hypothyroidism, must be moderate.
