What happens if underactive thyroid is not treated?
Treating an underactive thyroid If an underactive thyroid isn’t treated, it can lead to complications, including heart disease, goitre, pregnancy problems and a life-threatening condition called myxoedema coma (although this is very rare).
Does having an underactive thyroid shorten your life?
Your symptoms should disappear and the serious effects of low thyroid hormone should improve. If you keep your hypothyroidism well-controlled, it will not shorten your life span.
What happens if you are left untreated for hypothyroidism?
Treatment for hypothyroidism is fairly straightforward, and involves taking replacement thyroid hormone. While it may take some trial and error to find the right dose of medication, many symptoms of hypothyroidism may be reversed once you do. There are a number of reasons people may not treat hypothyroidism, however.
What are the side effects of an underactive thyroid?
Complications – Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) 1 Heart problems. If you have an untreated underactive thyroid, your risk of developing cardiovascular disease is increased. 2 Goitre. A goitreis an abnormal swelling of the thyroid gland that causes a lump to form in the throat. 3 Pregnancy complications. 4 Myxoedema coma. …
What happens to your heart if you have hypothyroidism?
Another way that hypothyroidism can increase your heart risk is by raising your lipid (cholesterol and triglyceride) levels. These substances can contribute to a fatty buildup on the lining of arteries, known as atherosclerosis. Tylee emphasizes that it’s a good idea to check for thyroid problems in people with elevated lipids.
What happens to your body when you have too little thyroid?
Respiratory system. Too little thyroid hormone weakens the muscles you use to breathe and makes your lungs work less efficiently. As a result, you may feel short of breath or have trouble exercising. Hypothyroidism also makes it more likely to develop sleep apnea, which are pauses in breathing that happen while you sleep.
Treatment for hypothyroidism is fairly straightforward, and involves taking replacement thyroid hormone. While it may take some trial and error to find the right dose of medication, many symptoms of hypothyroidism may be reversed once you do. There are a number of reasons people may not treat hypothyroidism, however.
What happens if a baby is born with untreated thyroid disease?
Birth defects : Babies born to women with untreated thyroid disease may have a higher risk of being born with birth defects. The children also have a risk of serious developmental problems. Hypothyroidism in the mother may lead to mental retardation in the child.
Respiratory system. Too little thyroid hormone weakens the muscles you use to breathe and makes your lungs work less efficiently. As a result, you may feel short of breath or have trouble exercising. Hypothyroidism also makes it more likely to develop sleep apnea, which are pauses in breathing that happen while you sleep.
How does hypothyroidism affect your mental health?
Mental Health Issues The symptoms of hypothyroidism can take a mental toll if left untreated. Mild hypothyroidism can cause mild forms of depression. But without treatment, the symptoms of hypothyroidism will increase. This can directly affect your mental state, and your depression may intensify as a result.