Hypothyroidism the Condition of Hypothyroidism Is Caused

Hypothyroidism

The condition of hypothyroidism is caused by a thyroid gland that does not produce the proper amount of certain important hormones.

Pathophysiology:

The gland is located in the center of the neck and is described by WebMD (2012) as being butterfly shaped. The gland's hormone production is an important dimension of the metabolic process. Therefore, when its functionality is impaired, the body's capacity to digest, metabolize and utilize the nutrients and proteins yielded by food is also impaired. According to WebMD, "having a low level of thyroid hormone affects your whole body. It can make you feel tired and weak. If hypothyroidism is not treated, it can raise your cholesterol levels and make you more likely to have a heart attack or stroke." (WebMD, p. 1) In the vast majority of cases, the condition is produced by an inflammation called Hashimoto's thyroiditis. (WebMD, p. 1) With this condition, the immune system attacks the tissue of the thyroid and ultimately impedes on its ability to create essential hormones.

Diagnostics:

In general, Mathur (2011) reports, the diagnosis for hypothyroidism is positive. That is, because of the commonality of the condition-- impacting somewhere between to 3% to 5% of all Americans -- hypothyroidism is seen as highly treatable. According to Mathur, "properly diagnosed, hypothyroidism can be easily and completely treated with thyroid hormone replacement. On the other hand, untreated hypothyroidism can lead to an enlarged heart (cardiomyopathy), worsening heart failure, and an accumulation of fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion)." (p. 1) This denotes that the diagnosis for hypothyroidism is highly contingent upon its being properly treated.

Signs and Systems:

The difficulty in properly treating hypothyroidism is that it can be difficult to detect, especially in the early stages. This is because the range of symptoms related to hypothyroidism are numerous, variant and overlapping. Among the possible signs of hypothyroidism, Mathur identifies fatigue, depression, weight gain, excessive sleepiness, coarse, hair, constipation, dry skin, muscle cramps, increased cholesterol, decreased focus, achiness and swelling of the extremities. (p. 1) With increased severity, more imminent symptoms may prompt attention such as a slowed heard rate, a drop in body temperature or even heart failure and coma. (Mathur, p. 1)

Treatment and Nursing Interventions: