Hypothyroidism is a disease that develops due to insufficient production of certain thyroid hormones due to the weakening of its functional capabilities. Its danger lies in the lack of pronounced   symptoms, especially in the early stages of the disease, which are easily confused with signs of chronic fatigue and other ailments. Statistically, hypothyroidism in women (especially in old age) is diagnosed much more often than in men. Is it possible to avoid this disease and what methods of its treatment exist today?

Causes and symptoms of hypothyroidism

The clinical syndrome associated with a reaction to a reduced (relative to normal) level of thyroid hormones of the thyroid gland is called hypothyroidism. There are several varieties of it: congenital and acquired.

Congenital hypothyroidism occurs due to defects in the development of the endocrine system, as well as hereditary pathological conditions caused by the complete absence or insufficient synthesis of enzymes responsible for the production of thyroid hormones.

The factors responsible for the development of acquired hypothyroidism include chronic inflammatory diseases of the endocrine system, as well as conditions resulting from the removal of the thyroid gland. Exposure to natural radiation or radiation therapy, the use of certain medications, and the lack of certain trace elements in the body increase the risk of this disease.

The most common primary hypothyroidism associated with iodine deficiency. The deficiency of this mineral substance is a pressing global problem. According to the World Health Organization, every fifth inhabitant of the Earth is experiencing its shortage. The role of iodine in the body is difficult to overestimate, because it is this trace element that is actively involved in the secretion of thyroid hormones, which are more than half of it.

The danger of hypothyroidism in women (with the wrong or complete absence of treatment) is the development of such severe conditions as the emergence of nodular goiter and malignant tumors, as well as infertility, dementia and hypothyroid coma. Therefore, you should be familiar with the symptoms of this disease. These include:

• condition of chronic fatigue, weakness in muscles;
• weakening of immunity;
• frequent swelling and puffiness;
• problems with the chair;
• menstrual disorders;
• brittle nails, dry and peeling skin, and hair loss;
• anemia;
• the appearance of excess weight associated with fluid retention in the body;
• depressed and depressed mood;
• problems with remembering information and slow speech.

Rules for organizing a diet for hypothyroidism

Malfunctions in the thyroid gland (decrease in the synthesis of hormones) lead to a number of systemic disorders in the body and slow down the work of many metabolic processes.

In order to prevent the development of serious complications of the disease and improve health (in the early stages of the disease), doctors recommend adhering to a special diet for hypothyroidism, as well as taking prescribed medications.

Diet for hypothyroidism is an auxiliary measure of disease prevention. However, following this food system can significantly alleviate the patient’s condition.

With this disease, doctors strongly recommend eliminating heavy, oily and difficult to digest food from the diet. You should also significantly reduce the consumption of foods containing large amounts of fast carbohydrates.

In the preparation of nutrition for patients with hypothyroidism, you must adhere to the following rules:

• replace meat with fish or seafood;
• consume enough fresh fruits and vegetables;
• arrange fasting days (no more than 1 time per week);
• replace purchased sweets with dried fruits;
• cook food mostly steamed;
• use only iodized salt during cooking;
• food is desirable to use in the form of heat, chewing it thoroughly;
• After a meal, you need to avoid physical exertion for a while.

In order for a diet with hypothyroidism to be effective, it is necessary to introduce foods rich in iodine (sea kale, walnuts, apples, cherries, tomatoes, grapes, dairy products) into the diet. An additional intake of vitamin complexes containing this trace element is possible only after consulting with your doctor.

Also, with various diseases of the endocrine system, it is necessary to consume a sufficient amount of fiber, which improves intestinal motility and is a natural sorbent.

Prevention and treatment of hypothyroidism in women

The traditional method of treating hypothyroidism is to take the medicines prescribed by the attending physician, which are necessary to restore the normal functioning of the endocrine system. In most cases, it is a synthetic thyroid hormone. Its correct dosage helps to restore normal hormone levels and reduce the manifestations of the disease. After 10-15 days of hormone therapy, the patient begins to feel a surge of strength, the feeling of chronic fatigue disappears, cholesterol levels return to normal, and overweight begins to go away (the cause of which was the disease).

During the treatment of hypothyroidism, it is extremely important to maintain contact with your doctor, as it may take several months to determine the correct dose of the drug. The patient should be tested annually to control hormone levels and possible dosage adjustments. Most patients are forced to adhere to hormone replacement therapy throughout their lives.

Since the disease may be accompanied by the disruption of many organs and systems, in addition to hormone therapy, doctors of the relevant profiles use drugs, the use of which contributes to the normalization of the cardiovascular and nervous system, as well as vitamin-mineral complexes.

In order for hypothyroidism in women to occur without pronounced symptoms (the menstrual cycle has normalized and the process of ovulation has occurred), it may be necessary for representatives of the weaker sex to take additional drugs based on female sex hormones.

Prevention   disease is to improve the existing methods of traditional treatment, the correct selection of drugs for the treatment of Grave disease, as well as the establishment of the correct doses of iodine preparations.