(My doctor suggested synthroid as a possible help for fatigue...)
When a person’s thyroid hormone level
gets too low nearly every system in the body is affected. An underactive
thyroid (hypothyroidism) can set off a wide range of symptoms that can
include fatigue, depression, weight gain, constipation, and dry skin.
While typical of an underactive
thyroid, all those symptoms could be easily attributed to other medical
problems. And in people over 60, symptoms of hypothyroidism can be more
confusing. Any of the following health issues in a person over 60, alone
or in combination, could mean an underlying thyroid problem.
- Unexplained high cholesterol. High
cholesterol is sometimes the only evidence of an under active thyroid in
an older person. Because this may be the only symptom, a high
cholesterol level warrants a thyroid evaluation.
- Heart failure. Some of the effects of low
thyroid hormone levels — for example, reduced blood volume, weaker
contractions of the heart muscle, and a slower heart rate — may
contribute to heart failure. (Heart failure describes a condition in
which the heart doesn’t pump blood effectively to the muscles and organs
of the body). Symptoms of heart failure include breathlessness,
swelling in the ankles, weakness, and fatigue.
- Bowel movement changes. An older person
with hypothyroidism might have constipation because of decreased
movement of stool through the bowels. Less often, an older person will
have frequent bouts of diarrhea, which is more typically a symptom of an
overactive thyroid. Persistent or severe diarrhea in an older person
always warrants a call to the doctor.
- Joint or muscle pain. Vague joint pain is
a classic symptom of hypothyroidism. It sometimes is the only symptom
of hypothyroidism in an older patient, although many experience an
overall muscular aching, particularly in large muscle groups.
- Mental health concerns. As with younger
people, depression is common among older people with an underactive
thyroid. The difference is that in older people it can be the only
symptom. An older person could also develop other psychiatric symptoms
including delusions or hallucinations.
- Dementia. Debilitating memory loss —
often but not always, accompanied by depression or some kind of
psychosis — can also occur as the only symptom of hypothyroidism. If you
or a loved one is being evaluated for dementia, be sure that thyroid
tests are part of the work up.
- Problems with balance. Abnormalities in the cerebellum at the back of the brain that occur with an underactive thyroid may lead to walking problems in older people.
If you or someone you love is living
with thyroid disease, learn how to take control of your condition and be
an active participant in your care by purchasing Thyroid Disease, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School.
Harvard Medical School offers special reports on over 50 health topics.
Visit our website at http://www.health.harvard.edu to find reports of interest to you and your family.
Visit our website at http://www.health.harvard.edu to find reports of interest to you and your family.
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