Is Your Thyroid Aging You?
Many older people put those feelings of fatigue and their memory loss down to old age, but in some cases it can be due to a thyroid problem. Hypothyroidism, or under active thyroid is believed to affect a great many women who go undiagnosed due to having few, or minor, symptoms. These can also include dry skin, moodiness and insomnia.
The thyroid is a gland at the base of the neck that is shaped like a small butterfly. It produces hormones that regulate body temperature and do a great many other good things to our bodies. In many cases, the lack of these things has been confused with the symptoms of menopause, since the main age for thyroid-problems to begin seems to be similar to that of menopause or perimenopause – that is, the time leading up menopause.
The hormonal changes that occur during perimenopause often exacerbate the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Since many women put their symptoms down to menopause, they go largely untreated for their hypothyroidism. Traditionally, (in fact, as late as 1996) it was believed that this did not matter, as treatment was unnecessary if the symptoms were few and didn?t impact on quality of life. This belief was based on the fact that when treatment was given, it did not significantly alter the serum lipid parameters or alter the quality of life.
Yet experts now know that when left untreated, even mild cases of hypothyroidism place the suffer at a higher risk of developing those diseases that beset older age groups. For instance, in 2000 studies were done that show an increased risk of developing severe heart disease, heart attack, and blood vessel disease. However, the debate still seems to be raging, as an opposing group believed there was still not enough strong evidence for treating sub clinical hypothyroidism.
Whatever the experts do or don?t believe, if you are having problems with fuzzy thinking, fatigue, memory loss or depression, it would be wise to see your health care provider and discuss the matter. A simple blood test can tell if you are suffering these aging affects needlessly. This will measure the levels of a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in your blood. If your thyroid is under active, levels will be high.
Treatment is simple and effective with a synthetic thyroid hormone administered orally. It is without any bad side effects and you may realize that your symptoms were not due to aging at all.
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