What are the possible complications of hypothyroidism?
If you have untreated hypothyroidism:
- You may have an increased risk of developing heart disease. This is because a low thyroxine level causes the blood lipids (cholesterol, etc) to rise.
- If you are pregnant, you have an increased risk of developing some pregnancy complications. For example: pre-eclampsia, anaemia, premature labour, low birth weight, stillbirth, and serious bleeding after the birth.
- Hypothyroid coma (myxoedema coma) is a very rare complication.
However, with treatment, the outlook is excellent. With treatment, symptoms usually go, and you are very unlikely to develop any complications.
Who gets hypothyroidism?
About 1 in 50 women, and about 1 in 1000 men develop hypothyroidism at some time in their life. It most commonly develops in adult women, and becomes more common with increasing age. However, it can occur at any age and can affect anyone.
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Where to next?
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How is hypothyroidism treated?
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How long is the treatment for?
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In summary on Hypothyroidism
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Surgery or radioactive treatment to the thyroid gland
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What are the possible complications of hypothyroidism?
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What causes hypothyroidism?
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What is hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
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Underactive thyroid: Under the microscope
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Shirley, about 1 year
I have had an under active thyroid for 18 years, I am 54 now and in the past couple of years felt very slow and feel like I have a learning disability, I have recently been dismissed from my job as I was too slow. I am aware that I am slow and my speech is very often hoarse, I have also just started with asthma. My thyroid function test came back as slightly under so i am now on 275 a day. I am very frustrated with the way I feel and I want to feel intelligent again, I am sure people out there will relate to what I mean. I feel like I am on a cloud and describe myself as behaving like Mr Bean! Even when my thyroid function tests are normal I still fell the same and also cn anyone explain why I am under weight 8stone as usaully hypo comes with a weight problem, can anyone help?
Report this commentJune, about 1 year
i am 27 i have a underactive thyroid,about 2 year ago i fell pregnant and i had pre-eclampsia, my baby had to be delivered really early a lovelly baby boy he only weighed 500g and i have allways wondered why he was that small in weight now i know so thank you very much xxxxx
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D.Browning, about 1 year
I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid 4 years ago after endless trips to the drs, after I had gone from 9 stone (which had been my weight for 20 odd years) to 15 stone 10 at last I was going to get some treatment other than being told you are what you eat,even though my eaing habits had'nt changed in 20 years. My thyroid levels are now normal..... but still my hiar continues to fall out I still feel tired joints continue to ache but what is worse is the fact that I have gained another 4 stone what on earth is going on I dont know and Im back to being told you are what you eat. If I was what I ate I would still weigh 9 stone and have a 23 inch waist and not 19 stone pluss with a waist that now measures 49 inches......................... Do you have any answers yours Despirate.
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