Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is the disease state in humans and in animals caused by insufficient production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland.

CAUSES

· Iodine Deficiency

· Diseases such as Hashimoto thyroiditis

· Lack of thyroid gland

· Deficiency of hormones from the brain

SYMPTOMS

Early symptoms

· Poor muscle tone

·         Fatigue

·         Cold intolerance, increased sensitivity to cold

·         Depression

·         Muscle cramps and joint pain

·         Goiter

·         Thin, brittle fingernails

·         Thin, brittle hair

·         Paleness

·         Decreased sweating

·         Dry, itchy skin

·         Weight gain

·         Bradycardia (low heart rate – less than  sixty beats per minute)

·         Constipation

LATE SYMPTOMS

·         Slow speech and a hoarse breaking voice – deepening of the voice can also be noticed

· Dry puffy skin, especially on the face

·         Thinning of the outer third of the eyebrows (sign of Hertoghe)

·         Abnormal menstrual cycles

·         Low basal body temperature