Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland fails to produce enough hormone. The main function of the thyroid gland is to regulate the body's metabolism; it affects all parts of the body. Many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism are associated with other illnesses, and are often overlooked or misdiagnosed by physicians. Hypothyroidism is very common, although many people are unaware that they have hypothyroidism, and often go untreated for many years. The most common symptoms of hypothyroidism are:

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Weight gain/difficulty losing weight
• Coarse, dry hair
• Hair loss
• Muscle cramps/aches
• Constipation
• Dry skin
• Irritability
• Memory Loss
• Abnormal menstrual cycles
• Depression
• Cold and/or heat intolerance
• Decreased libido

Causes of Hypothyroidism:

Inflammation of the thyroid gland: If the thyroid becomes inflamed, it's likely that a large percentage of thyroid cells will be damaged and left incapable of producing sufficient hormone. This most commonly occurs due to what is called autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's thyroiditis), in which the immune system overreacts and thereby results in an inflammation of the thyroid gland.

Medical treatments: If the thyroid, or a portion of it, has been removed to treat a previous condition, it will fail to produce enough thyroid hormone. Also, radioactive iodine therapy is often used to treat thyroid goiters; this type of therapy is employed to kill a portion of the thyroid in order to prevent goiters from growing any larger, or producing too much hormone.

Hypothyroidism is diagnosed through a blood test, but is usually not included in a routine exam. If you suspect that you might have hypothyroidism, ask you doctor for a thyroid test. It's important to note, however, that the "normal" range for thyroid hormone is not the same for everyone. Be sure to discuss your symptoms with your doctor, since blood results often show normal results, even though the symptoms indicate otherwise.

Treatment for hypothyroidism usually consists of a daily dose of thyroid replacement hormones, accompanied by regular doctor visits to monitor doseage and any changes in symptoms.