Let's Raise Oprah's Awareness of Hypothyroidism

Oprah Thyroid Awareness Campaign

Facts About Hypothyroidism (continued)

Some Depression is Actually Misdiagnosed Hypothyroidism

It's estimated that 15% of all cases of depression may be undiagnosed hypothyroidism, and that if diagnosed and treated with thyroid hormone, these patients may not require any antidepressants.

Chronic Fatigue Syundrome and Fibromyalgia May Be Undiagnosed Hypothyroidism

There are doctors who believe that chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia -- which get a large amount of media attention, yet actually affect far fewer people than hypothyroidism -- are actually just symptomatic syndromes that are the result of undiagnosed and untreated hypothyroidism

Many Oprah Programs Discuss Problems That May Be Due to Hypothyroidism

In recent programs discussing weight problems, low libido, and menopause, symptoms such as fatigue, inappropriate weight gain, depression, low sex drive, memory problems, and feeling cold -- the most common and frequent symptoms of hypothyroidism -- were discussed , yet hypothyroidism -- which in some cases may explain these symptoms in as many as one-fourth of all women, was not mentioned as potential concern to investigate.

Common Hypothyroidism Symptoms

The most common symptoms of hypothyroidism are:

• Fatigue/exhaustion
• Serious difficulty losing weight
• Gaining weight inappropriately
• Depression/anxiety
• Low sex drive, or no sex drive
• Pains, aches and stiffness in joints, hands and feet
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Difficulty concentrating
• Memory problems
• Feeling cold, especially cold hands/feet
• Infertility
• Frequent miscarriage
• Stillbirth or premature birth
• Constipation
• Hair loss, hair thinning
• Hair loss from outer edge of eyebrows
• Menstrual irregularities (heavy, long, more frequent periods)
• High cholesterol levels
• Hoarse, husky or gravelly voice
• Strange feelings in neck or throat, for example, a feeling of "fullness," or pressure, a choking sensation, or difficulty swallowing, a lump or growth in neck area
• More frequent infections, or infections that last longer, especially sinus infections
• Snoring, sleep apnea
• Shortness of breath and tightness in the chest
• Puffiness and swelling around the eyes and face
• Swelling in feet, hands
• Swollen eyelids
• Heart palpitations, mitral valve prolapse

Conditions Caused by Hypothyroidism

Conditions that may in some cases be caused by hypothyroidism include:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome/tendonitis
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Premenstrual syndrome
• Infertility

Hypothyroidism Can Lead To

Untreated or undertreated, hypothyroidism can cause:

• Dangerously high cholesterol
• Severe depression
• Obesity
• Heart disease
• Heart failure
• Stroke
• Death

Risk Factors for Hypothyroidism

In addition to having a family member who has a thyroid condition or autoimmune disease...

• Abusing soy products, i.e., soy protein, soy capsules, soy powders, etc. that are high in isoflavones
• Smoking
• Taking lithium
• Taking the heart drug amiodarone
• Radiation treatment to the head, neck or chest
• Radiation treatment to treat tonsils, adenoids, lymph nodes, thymus gland problems, or acne
• "Nasal Radium Therapy" from 1940s through 1960s as a treatment for tonsillitis, colds and other ailments (usually children of military)
• Eating substantial quantities of any of the following foods raw: brussels sprouts, rutabaga, turnips, kohlrabi, radishes, cauliflower, African cassava, millet, babassu (a palm-tree coconut fruit popular in Brazil and Africa) cabbage and kale