Hypothyroidism The thyroid is a gland found in the neck. As a part of the endocrine system, it is located below the Adam's apple. The purpose of the thyroid gland is to produce different hormones which are a key part in the proper function of the brain, heart, and liver. The thyroid also helps in maintaining a healthy metabolism. According to the American Thyroid Association, more than 20 million Americans have some sort of thyroid disorder. Close to sixty percent of those diagnosed were completely unaware of their condition ("Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)").
Often times when these disorders occur, the thyroid is producing an incorrect amount of the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Hypothyroidism occurs when the …show more content…
She states: “I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism when I was about twelve. I was overweight, tired, depressed; things a twelve-year-old girl should never be. My parents took me in to the doctor where they drew some blood and tested it. The doctor was in complete shock. The normal range for the T3 is 3-8, the T4 is 4-11. My T3 was 1.21 and my T4 was 1.68. These are significantly low. At first the doctor put me on 125 micrograms (mcg) of Synthryoid. This medication, I took everyday at six in the morning. I never missed a dose. I was still tired and depressed and begna falling asleep in my classes. I was always hungry. After taking that for a few weeks, we came back and had my blood tested again. I didn’t feel any different and the medication was helping, but not like the doctor wanted it to. So, he added another medication called Levothroid. That 75 mcg addition changed my world. I started losing weight, becoming less depressed and more active. I began to be a ‘normal’ twelve year old. Now that I am older and more healthy, I don’t need the 75 mcg of Levothroid. I simply take 125 mcg of Synthroid every morning at six and go on with my day.”
Hypothyroidism is a condition many individuals have, but few know about. Affecting an individual with more than just their physical health, this condition can cause serious turmoil in the lives of those affected. Proper diagnosis, treatment, and care is critical in the overall
Often times when these disorders occur, the thyroid is producing an incorrect amount of the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Hypothyroidism occurs when the …show more content…
She states: “I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism when I was about twelve. I was overweight, tired, depressed; things a twelve-year-old girl should never be. My parents took me in to the doctor where they drew some blood and tested it. The doctor was in complete shock. The normal range for the T3 is 3-8, the T4 is 4-11. My T3 was 1.21 and my T4 was 1.68. These are significantly low. At first the doctor put me on 125 micrograms (mcg) of Synthryoid. This medication, I took everyday at six in the morning. I never missed a dose. I was still tired and depressed and begna falling asleep in my classes. I was always hungry. After taking that for a few weeks, we came back and had my blood tested again. I didn’t feel any different and the medication was helping, but not like the doctor wanted it to. So, he added another medication called Levothroid. That 75 mcg addition changed my world. I started losing weight, becoming less depressed and more active. I began to be a ‘normal’ twelve year old. Now that I am older and more healthy, I don’t need the 75 mcg of Levothroid. I simply take 125 mcg of Synthroid every morning at six and go on with my day.”
Hypothyroidism is a condition many individuals have, but few know about. Affecting an individual with more than just their physical health, this condition can cause serious turmoil in the lives of those affected. Proper diagnosis, treatment, and care is critical in the overall