Hypothyroidism

See Thyroid Problems

//Western Diagnosis:// myxedema thyroid hormone deficiency

Etiology
autoimmune ---Hashimoto’s thyroiditis ---chronic infl of thyroid with lymphocytic infiltration caused by autoimmune factors ---8:1 more in women ---often family hx of thyroid disorders b. posttherapeutic ---surgery ---drugs for hyperthyroidism ---iodine deficiency - goiter a. dec TRH from hypothalamus b. dec TSH from pituitary
 * primary**
 * secondary**

Signs & Symptoms
1. insidious onset 2. fatigue 3. dull facies with periorbital edema 4. hoarse voice, slow speech 5. cold intolerance, hypothermia 6. coarse, dry, thin hair 7. coarse, dry, scaly, thick skin 8. weight gain 9. memory and intellectual impairment 10. constipation 11. paresthesias 12. brisk contraction, slow relaxation of reflexes 13. macroglossia 14. bradycardia 15. pericardial, pleural effusion 16. //carotenodermia// - orange skin on palms and soles 17. menorrhagia 18. anemia 19. thyroid may be enlarged, tender or non-tender, smooth or nodular, firm or rubbery - **if nodular, refer for evaluation**

Diagnosis
1. decreased serum T4 (thyroxine) [normal: 0.5-5.0, some suggest higher than 2.5 is troublesome] 2. decreased T3 uptake (triiodothyronine) 3. elevated or decreased TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) Joe : f(free)T3, fT4, r(reverse)T3

Treatment
1. replacement therapy ---desiccated thyroid [contains T1, T2, T3, T4] ---L-thyroxine (synthroid, levoxyl) [only T4] [cytomel = T3] [thyrolar = T3&T4] 2. iodine 4 mg/d, tyrosin vitamin D helps T3 bind to receptors

subclinical hypothyroidism is big risk for cardiovascular mortality stress affects the thyroid pretty extensively Broda Barns MD said take basal body temperature axillary

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=================================================================== Hashimotos: have to treat estrogen []LR Qi constrained w/ Yin xu usually] affecting SP/HT – [|Subhuti] has good article on herbs to use. Dr. So's points- hypo: ping ying [c4&5 in 1 inch on BL meridian]

Recommended Minerals
-Copper -Iodine