Hypothyroidism

Can hypothyroidism be treated over telehealth?

Yes, hypothyroidism can be treated over telehealth. Diagnosis of hypothyroidism is based on your symptoms and the results of blood tests that measure the level of TSH and sometimes the level of the T3 and T4 hormones. These tests can be ordered by your doctor and drawn at any Quest or LabCorp or other lab near you.

See your doctor if you’re feeling tired for no reason or have any of the other signs or symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as dry skin, a pale, puffy face, constipation or a hoarse voice.

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Hypothyroidism symptoms

The signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism vary, depending on the severity of the hormone deficiency. Problems tend to develop slowly, over a number of years.

At first, you may barely notice the symptoms of hypothyroidism, such as fatigue and weight gain, or you could attribute them to getting older. But as your metabolism continues to slow down, you may develop more obvious problems:

Fatigue
Increased sensitivity to cold
Constipation
Dry skin
Dry eyes
Weight gain
Puffy face
Hoarseness
Muscle weakness
Elevated blood cholesterol level

Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness
Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints
Heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods
Thinning hair
Slowed heart rate
Depression
Impaired memory
Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)

Hypothyroidism in children and teens

In general, children and teens who develop hypothyroidism have the same symptoms as adults do, but may also experience:

Poor growth, resulting in short stature
Delayed development of permanent teeth
Delayed puberty
Poor mental development

Hypothyroidism treatments

Standard treatment for hypothyroidism involves daily use of the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine (Levo-T, Synthroid, others). This oral medication restores adequate hormone levels, reversing the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism. Alternative therapies and approaches may also be appropriate depending on the individual.

You’ll likely start to feel better soon after you start treatment. The medication gradually lowers cholesterol levels elevated by the disease and may reverse any weight gain. Treatment with levothyroxine will likely be lifelong, but because the dosage you need may change, your doctor is likely to check your TSH level every year.

What is hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of certain crucial hormones. It may not cause noticeable symptoms in the early stages. Over time and left untreated, hypothyroidism can cause a number of health problems such as obesity, joint pain, infertility and heart disease.

Hypothyroidism can affect people of all ages, genders and ethnicities. It’s a common condition, particularly among women over age 60. Women are generally more likely to develop hypothyroidism after menopause than earlier in life.

The term hypothyroidism is an umbrella term for a low level of thyroid hormones in the body. Hashimoto’s disease is the most common (but not exclusive) cause of hypothyroidism.

Hypothyroidism vs. hyperthyroidism

The difference between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism is quantity. In hypothyroidism, the thyroid makes very little thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism involves higher levels of thyroid hormones, which instead makes your metabolism speed up. Many things are opposite between the two conditions. If you have hypothyroidism, you may have a difficult time dealing with the cold. If you have hyperthyroidism, you may not handle the heat. They are opposite extremes of thyroid function. Treatments for both of these conditions work to get your thyroid function as close to that middle ground as possible.

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