Here’s the truth

About 60 percent of people with thyroid disease don’t know they have it. It is easy to miss the fact that several non-specific symptoms like extreme fatigue, anxiety, palpitations, hair loss, weight loss or gain and dry skin are all related to a thyroid problem. Such symptoms are often misattributed for hormone related conditions in women

Here’s the truth

Thyroid diseases affect both men and women and can present at any age. Although it is true that they are much more prevalent in women

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Iodine is essential for the proper functioning of thyroid but too much iodine can cause problems too   

Diet alone cannot solve problems of the thyroid. Thyroid hormone medications help bring hormones to a normal level

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Soy based products can decrease the absorption of hypothyroid medicine. This can be overcome by consuming thyroid medicine in the morning and soy-based products in the evening

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Thyroid medications like levothyroxine used in the treatment of hypothyroidism should be consumed on an empty stomach and patient should not eat or drink for atleast half an hour after taking the tablets

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Women suffering from hypothyroidism will not have any problem conceiving provided their thyroid hormone levels are corrected to the normal range. Once, pregnant, thyroid hormone dose may need to be gradually increased. If the thyroid hormone levels are maintained within the normal range, there is no risk to the mother and the baby

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Difficulty in losing weight is probably due to the naturally slowed metabolism with increasing age especially forties and fifties. If you are on medication to treat thyroid and your hormone levels are maintained, then  you are effectively on the same level playing field as everyone else 

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It is a misconception that higher doses of thyroid hormones provide extra energy and will help lose weight.  The medication is designed to bring thyroid hormone levels within the normal parameters and having too much can cause anxiety, palpitations, disturbed sleep and increased hunger

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Hypothyroidism is usually associated with permanent destruction of the thyroid gland, hence it is essential to continue the medication for long as advised by the doctor. In hyperthyroidism, the medication should not be stopped unless advised by the doctor. Stopping the thyroid medication without medical consultation leads to recurrence of the problem

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The levothyroxine medication should be stored in a cool dry place, away from all sources of heat

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Most of the thyroid nodules are non-cancerous, only about five percent of thyroid nodules are cancerous