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Signs of Aging might instead be a treatable
Thyroid Disorder
Newswise — It’s wrong to assume that fatigue
or memory loss is an inevitable sign of
aging. They also are common symptoms of an
underactive thyroid -- a condition that
generally responds to treatment, according
to the May issue of Mayo Clinic Health
Letter.
The thyroid gland, in the neck just below
the Adam’s apple, plays a significant role
in overall health. Hormones from the thyroid
are chemical messengers, helping to control
body temperature, heart rate, muscle
strength, cholesterol, memory and even mood.
When a thyroid malfunctions, producing too
much or too little of its hormones, chemical
reactions in the body become unbalanced. The
earliest symptoms of an underactive thyroid
(hypothyroidism), such as sluggishness and
fatigue, too often are mistaken for simply
getting older.
As hypothyroidism continues, other symptoms
can include cold hands and feet,
constipation, pale, dry skin, a puffy face,
hoarseness or unexplained weight gain. Older
people with an underactive thyroid may
exhibit only one symptom, for example,
memory loss or decreasing mental function.
The treatment of choice for hypothyroidism
is the drug levothyroxine, which replaces a
key missing hormone. Periodic blood tests
are needed to determine the proper dosage.
Conversely, an overactive thyroid gland also
can produce subtle symptoms. They typically
include an increased heart rate, heat
intolerance, weight loss and a tendency to
tire during ordinary activities.
The most common treatment to reduce thyroid
hormone levels involves taking oral doses of
radioactive iodine. The iodine is absorbed
in the thyroid gland and shrinks it. This
treatment, however, often results in an
underactive thyroid, requiring long-term use
of levothyroxine to replace hormone levels.
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