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Hypothyroidism Treatments

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Hypothyroidism or Hoshimoto’s Disease really has only one medical treatment, which is through the use of synthetic hormones that balance out what the thyroid is not producing. These man-made hormones are very effective at replacing what your body cannot produce with most patients seeing a vast improvement in their health a few weeks and a [...]

What Is Hypothyroidism?

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It can be a bit scary when you first hear your doctor tell you that you have Hoshimoto’s Disease or hyperthyroidism. And, as with any condition it is frightening to know that your body isn’t functioning the way it should. Asking, “What is Hypothyroidism”, and understanding more about your thyroid condition will help you prepare [...]

Hypothyroidism Symptoms

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If you have recently found out that you have hypothyroidism or suspect you have some type of thyroid condition then you probably want quick and simple answers to your questions. Our site is a collection of informative articles that answer the questions many women have, who are new to hypothyroidism. If you don’t know what [...]

Hypothyroidism and PostPartum Depression

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It’s clear that Hoshimoto’s Disease has a wide range of side effects and the ability to spread those effects among women in many different ways. In fact, it’s unknown if there is any limit to the side effects that come from Hypothyroidism. What we do know, however, is that you must remain constantly vigil in an effort to diagnose the signs of a failing thyroid. Too often, regular women put off symptoms as something other than thyroid related. It’s common and it will continue to happen until word spreads that this disease exists and is effecting thousands of women around the world.

Well, a little bit of the spotlight came to Hypothyroidism this week in a story over at Babble, when Gene Lee Nolin (of Baywatch fame) talked a little bit about her life after her son was born. Turns out that what Ms. Nolin thought was PostPartum issues, was really an increasing severity of her hypothyroidism — which she didn’t know she had.

“It seemed to really start after the birth of my son, so I put it down to post-partum depression, but I would literally gain 10 pounds in a single day and was constantly puffy and bloated, which is very tough when you’re in this industry.”



This is the main problem with thyroid issues in general and can not be stressed enough. Too often the issues related with the thyroid are pushed off on some other cause, some other reason or some other issue. Women need to start asking deeper questions about their health. They need to examine their symptoms more closely and look for comprehensive answers to their health questions, instead of looking for easy answers and quick fixes. It’s a difficult road, but one that is worth it.

Let’s hope that more famous people have the strength to talk about their health issues in public. It’s such an important reminder that everyone is susceptible to illness, especially hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism Linked To Depression

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Research is beginning to show yet another reason why women need to take Hypothyroidism seriously. Too often, women discount Hypothyroidism as a small concern because the effects of the disease are not readily apparent. You don’t bleed, or get sores or show outright signs of Hypothyroidism. Instead the effects are tiny and slowly creep up until they are noticeable. But, with the realization that Hypothyroidism can cause depression, it is now something that every women needs to pay attention to.

Over at World of Psychology, Margarita Tartakovsky, M.S., writes that

there’s some evidence that people with depression tend to have higher rates of hypothyroidism than the general population.

Going on to state that over 38 percent of patients who had Hypothyroidism, also had signs of depression.


This finding makes perfect sense when you consider that Hypothyroidism is a condition where your body produces an insufficient amount of hormones. This leads to certain body functions being under-regulated, which leads to all types of complications. It makes sense that one of those hormones would lead to a lower level of chemicals that would lead to a lower level of brain functioning leading to depression. Although, this is the simplified version of a complex system of hormones and chemicals, the causes the and the reactions seem simple enough.

The take away from the article is that depression through Hypothyroidism is treatable, by treating the thyroid. But what is most important is early detection of Hypothyroidism and early treatment. It is important for folks to listen to the signs their body is giving them and to understand when they need to see a doctor to know if their symptoms are those of Hypothyroidism.

Frequently Asked Hypothyroidism Questions

hypothyroidism-questions

When you discover that you have a thyroid condition, your mind is filled with a million hypothyroidism questions that need answers right away. Not knowing why you feel ill or what certain changes are occurring in your body is tough to handle, even for the strongest willed person. Knowing what disease you have and not having answers to what it means to have that disease is even worse. Finding out that you have a hypothyroidism is just the first step in a long walk towards controlling it and taking your life back. Getting the answers to your questions is the second step.

Dr. Krissondra Klop, a family physician at Medcenter One Bismarck Family Clinic South answers some of the most frequently asked questions by women who find out that they have hypothyroidism over at The Bismark Tribune. The article deals with more than just symptoms and cures. In it she talks about who is at risk, when to see the doctor, and what other effect hypothyroidism has on the body.


Perhaps her most important piece of wisdom comes when she answers the question about what happens if a women does not seek treatment for hypothyroidism. She states

Over time, untreated hypothyroidism can cause health problems such as obesity, acute joint pain, infertility, birth defects, mental health problems, elevated cholesterol levels and heart problems.

It’s a great article and not incredibly long. I encourage you to take a look at it. It’s just the piece of mind that some of us newly diagnosed hypothyroidism patients need.

Over time, untreated hypothyroidism can cause health problems such as obesity, acute joint pain, infertility, birth defects, mental health problems, elevated cholesterol levels and heart problems.

Iodized Salt Linked to Hoshimotos

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Linda Fugate, PhD. has a great article on the effects of iodized salt on the thyroid over at EmpowHER. More to the point, how an excess of iodized salt may be to blame for Hoshimoto’s Disease, or hypothyroidism.

Iodized salt is essential to the functioning of the thyroid, but as with all things too much or too little can be harmful. The article outlines a study done by the China Medical University. The study shows

People with higher iodine levels had more hypothyroidism. “More than adequate iodine intake could be a public health concern in terms of thyroid function and thyroid autoimmunity in the Chinese populations,” they concluded.

Hoshimoto’s Disease is the third most common type of thyroid disease in the United States and the most common among adults according to Fugate.


The study shows that what we eat is important to the health of our organs, glands and total well being. It just shows that being aware of not only what types of food, but how much food we are eating is important.

Hypothyroidism Treatments

hypothyroidism-treatments-in-women

Hypothyroidism or Hoshimoto’s Disease really has only one medical treatment, which is through the use of synthetic hormones that balance out what the thyroid is not producing. These man-made hormones are very effective at replacing what your body cannot produce with most patients seeing a vast improvement in their health a few weeks and a complete easing of symptoms in just a few months.

Everyone responds to thyroid hormone replacement therapy differently, but typically the only other actions you will need to take is to visit your doctor so that they can monitor your levels. The test comes in the form of a blood draw and analysis. It is a painless and simple procedure and the test results come back within a day or two. From the results of the blood test, the doctor can determine if you need more or less hormone on a daily basis.

Taking the medication is tricky, because the effects of the medication come on slowly. This means that you may have to take the medication for 2-3 weeks before the effects of the hormone take place. Because if this, it is important that you monitor the intake of your hormone dose closely. If you miss a day or two, this will greatly upset the balance of hormones in your body. If a doctor took your hormone levels while you are taking your medication inconsistently, you will get an inaccurate reading. Always let your doctor know if you have been taking your medication consistently. Tell the truth!


Thyroid Medication

There are many different kinds of thyroid medication. The generic name for them all is Levothyroxine. Within this group you will be prescribed either Synthroid (what I take), Levoxyl or Levothroid. There may even be more out there the medication and the thyroid condition are very common. Since different women respond to different medications, your doctor will make sure to monitor how you respond to an individual brand of medication. Even though they are all the same, they all have different side effects for various people.

During the first few weeks of taking the medication, make sure to track how your body is responding so you can supply your doctor with a good amount of accurate information. Often times, if you have been prescribed too little medication, the symptoms of hypothyroidism will not change: constipation, lethargy, weight gain, etc. If you end up taking too much of the hormone you may feel jittery, nervous and maybe even feel slight tremors throughout your body. Again, keep a close eye on this. You are your most powerful advocate when it comes time to see the doctor again.

The bottom line when it comes to treatments for hypothyroidism in women is to know that the long term maintenance of your condition can be fixed with a little pill and frequent visits to the hospital. Not much of an inconvenience when you consider other conditions you might have. However, it is important to note that medication is not the only route to a healthy you. Changing diets and exercise habits can go a long way to fighting the effects of hypothyroidism as well.