Your thyroid controls your body’s metabolic rate
The hormones your thyroid produces affect your heart rate, respiratory rate, the rate at which you burn calories, skin maintenance, growth, heat production, fertility and digestion.1-6
Hypothyroidism refers to an underactive thyroid gland
A gland in your brain releases thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which signals the thyroid to produce hormones (T3 and T4). When the thyroid is not able to produce enough thyroid hormones to keep your body functioning properly, more TSH is released.
In most cases of hypothyroidism, there are high levels of TSH and low levels of T4. These levels may change throughout life so they should be monitored regularly.
There are many symptoms of hypothyroidism.7 You may have one or more of the following:
Hypothyroidism can be diagnosed with a simple blood test called a TSH test.
TSH stands for "Thyroid Stimulating Hormone" – a hormone normally found in everyone's blood.
When you have hypothyroidism, your TSH level is high because your thyroid gland isn't making enough of the thyroid hormones called T3 and T4. This causes your pituitary gland to produce more TSH so it can tell your thyroid to work harder.
Following a TSH test, your doctor may also want to test your T4 hormone levels. Another test that looks at something called thyroid autoantibodies can also help confirm a diagnosis. Finally, if the shape of the thyroid gland appears abnormal to your doctor, he or she may perform a thyroid scan or ultrasound.8
Hypothyroidism can lead to serious consequences if not properly treated. Be sure to take your Synthroid® exactly as prescribed, complete your regular bloodwork and discuss any concerns with your doctor or pharmacist.
