As many of you know, I have hypothyroidism. It’s not a big deal, and the only treatment I need for it is a tiny little pill. (And I mean *tiny.) I occasionally have to go in for retesting of my levels which requires nothing more than a blood draw.

Getting the diagnosis also required nothing more than a simple blood draw. There weren’t scads of tests or scans or anything else. Speaking with my doctor about the symptoms and giving up a vial of blood doesn’t seem like a whole lot to do, does it?

Yet, the estimates of how many people are going untreated for this disease are mind-boggling. Estimates range widely, but none of them are “small” by any means. The reason? Many of the symptoms are attributed to other causes. Please, talk to your doctor, if you’re experiencing more than one or two of the following symptoms:
*Fatigue;
*Weakness;
*Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight;
*Coarse, dry hair;
*Dry, rough pale skin;
*Hair loss;
*Cold intolerance (can’t tolerate the cold like those around you);
*Muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches;
*Constipation;
*Depression;
*Irritability;
*Memory loss;
*Abnormal menstrual cycles;
*Decreased libido.

Get the blood test. Fix this ASAP. Untreated hypothyroidism can lead to a number of health problems:
* Goiter. Constant stimulation of your thyroid to release more hormones may cause the gland to become larger — a condition known as goiter. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is one of the most common causes of a goiter. Although generally not uncomfortable, a large goiter can affect your appearance and may interfere with swallowing or breathing.

* Heart problems. Hypothyroidism may also be associated with an increased risk of heart disease, primarily because high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol — the “bad” cholesterol — can occur in people with an underactive thyroid. Even subclinical hypothyroidism, a more benign condition than true hypothyroidism, can cause an increase in total cholesterol levels and impair the pumping ability of your heart. Hypothyroidism can also lead to an enlarged heart and heart failure.

* Mental health issues. Depression may occur early in hypothyroidism and may become more severe over time. Hypothyroidism can also cause slowed mental functioning.

* Myxedema. This rare, life-threatening condition is the result of long-term, undiagnosed hypothyroidism. Its symptoms include intense cold intolerance and drowsiness followed by profound lethargy and unconsciousness. A myxedema coma may be triggered by sedatives, infection or other stress on your body. If you have symptoms of myxedema, you need immediate emergency medical treatment.

* Birth defects. Babies born to women with untreated thyroid disease may have a higher risk of birth defects than do babies born to healthy mothers. These children are more prone to serious intellectual and developmental problems.

* Infants with untreated hypothyroidism present at birth are also at risk of serious problems with both physical and mental development. But if the condition is diagnosed within the first few months of life, the chances of normal development are excellent.

Just thought you should know.

EDIT 6/5/07 11:35 PM: Just found this quiz. Take it already, wouldja?