Frequent tiredness is a Symptom of underactive thyroid

A leading Symptom for thyroid problems is fatigue. A thyroid disease, the metabolism is out of balance. In individuals with hypothyroidism, the Psyche is affected. The diagnosis has been confirmed, can therapies help you to lead a normal life.

Diagnosis is often between 40. and 60. Age

A minimum of two percent of all women, but only about 0.1 to 0.2 percent of men suffering according to the professional Association of German internists (BDI) in an underactive thyroid. This is according to the experts, mostly between the age of 40. and 60. The age of discovered. “The rate of illness increases with increasing age,” write the experts on their website “internists in the network”. In a message to the news Agency dpa experts have important information on the subject.

Impact on the entire metabolism

Complaints, which can indicate that the thyroid gland controls the hormone production properly, among other things, sleep disturbances, hair loss, weight gain, and tearfulness. Tiredness and Cold can indicate the disease.

In the butterfly-shaped Organ hormones, which are needed for cell growth and metabolism. If it does not work properly, and in the case of a sub-function, less hormones are produced than the body needs, effect on the complete metabolism.

Non-Specific Symptoms

“It are often very non-specific symptoms,” said Markus Quante, specialist in internal medicine and practicing family physician in Munster, in the dpa report. “The patients complain of a drop in performance and lack of drive, can’t concentrate, have constipation, and brittle hair or nails.“

In addition, many Sufferers of depression report like moods, where you break out for no apparent reason, in tears, and your condition can’t explain. “You feel really bad,” said Quante.

Laboratory and ultrasound examination

According to the experts, one should consult a doctor if the discomfort over several weeks, stopping, and other symptoms. This could determine on the basis of the blood values, if indeed the thyroid gland is responsible for the problems.

“You can recognize on the basis of nonspecific complaints that it is difficult to make an assignment”, said the head of the center of gravity of endocrinology and metabolic diseases of the University medical center Mainz, Prof. Matthias M. Weber.

The endocrinologist according to symptoms such as hair loss or fatigue alone were not meaningful. “You always need a laboratory investigation.” The thyroid gland will be checked by ultrasound to changes in the size or structure of the track.

Six mm large thyroid

In the Agency message is also received on the specific case of a female patient: In the case of the 40-year-old Alexandra Burmeister, the symptoms were nonspecific, the thyroid function was only recognized very late. “In the beginning I had mood swings, panic attacks and Fears,” said the native of Hamburg.

It was worse, but it was not until seven years later, an in-house doctor made an ultrasound of the thyroid gland. “Since it came out that my thyroid was only six millimeters in size, which is much too small,” Burmeister said. She received the diagnosis of hypothyroidism, caused by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis destroys the thyroid tissue

“This is one of the most common autoimmune disease in humans at all,” said Prof. Weber. “In this case, the thyroid tissue is destroyed and the thyroid gland is inactivated to complete loss of function.”

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis occurs sometimes simultaneously with other autoimmune diseases. Among other things, with type 1 Diabetes, celiac disease (Allergy to Gluten) or white spot disease. Barbara Schulte, Chairman of the thyroid-League, Germany, explained in an older message: “Hashimoto’s is not a serious disease, it is necessary to detect it early.”

Hypothyroidism is easy to treat to

Also Quante highlighted that is to be treated by your thyroid gland to function well. “The patients received L-thyroxine, the non-or little-formed thyroid hormones are replaced in a tablet form.”

According to Weber, the treatment was “in most cases” life. “Therefore, one should be with the diagnosis of “thyroid function” very closely.” The expert recommends that patients with unclear laboratory values, to pull an experienced endocrinologist for help.

However, Quante as well as Weber stressed that an actual diagnosed thyroid should be dealt with under the function necessarily. Otherwise, the entire System could collapse. (ad)