You’re at a Heightened Risk of these Health Complications as a Thyroid Patient
Certain chronic health conditions can affect other body areas, potentially causing additional health complications. For thyroid disorders, patients with these chronic illnesses may face different health problems arising from their condition. Knowing which health conditions you are more susceptible to as a thyroid patient can help you take preventive measures to protect your health.
Types of thyroid conditions
There are two groups of thyroid conditions: hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is unable to produce enough hormones, and hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid, is when the thyroid gland produces more thyroid hormones than your body requires.
Here are the different types of thyroid disorders that fall under hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism:
Thyroiditis
Graves’ disease
Goiter
Thyroid nodule
Thyroid cancer
Hashimoto’s disease
Postpartum thyroiditis
Thyroid diseases can impact several areas aspects of your health, such as:
Heart rate
Muscles and joints
Energy level
Metabolism
Pregnancy and postpartum care
Health issues to be aware of as a patient living with a thyroid condition
If you’re living with a thyroid disease, here are some potential health complications you may be at a higher risk of developing.
Heart complications
Thyroid disease, precisely hypothyroidism, can cause high total cholesterol and low-density (LDL) cholesterol concentrations. In addition, some hypothyroidism patients may also have elevated concentrations of triglycerides, intermediate-density lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins A1 and B1.[1]
In addition, hypothyroidism can contribute to the development of dyslipidemia, which occurs when there’s a high number of lipids (or fats) in the blood. Without treatment, this condition can potentially lead to severe heart complications. [2]
An excess amount of thyroid hormones can encourage or aggravate existing heart diseases. Some examples of heart conditions that can arise from thyroid disorders are atherosclerotic vascular disease, atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, and heart failure. With these heart complications, patients with thyroid conditions may have a higher risk of premature morbidity (years of potential life lost before age 75) and death. [3]
Mental health challenges
Living with an invisible illness like a thyroid disorder can affect your mental health. Common mental health symptoms of thyroid diseases are anxiety and depression.
One study showed that 63% of participating patients with thyroid disease had some degree of anxiety. In addition, regarding the type of anxiety symptom, the study revealed that participants identifying as female typically had an anxious mood, while participants identifying as male more likely had a depressed mood. [4]
Another study revealed that 60% of participants diagnosed with hypothyroidism had some level of depression, with 37% having mild depression, 14% with moderate depression, and 9% with severe depression. [5]
Pregnancy complications
Thyroid disorders are the second most common endocrine condition affecting women of reproductive age. Low amounts of thyroid hormone can hinder the ability of an egg to release from the ovaries. Also, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism patients may have difficulties conceiving due to the underlying complications of the condition, thus causing infertility.
Healthy thyroid hormone levels are crucial to prevent pregnancy complications and encourage suitable fetal growth development. An imbalance of thyroid hormones can influence adverse pregnancy and child development outcomes. [6]
If the thyroid condition is left untreated, it can increase the risk of hypertensive disorders, miscarriages, growth restriction, and placental abruption. [7]
Myxoedema coma
Myxoedema coma is a severe form of hypothyroidism that can decrease the functioning of several organs and cause progressive mental decline. This condition requires immediate medical attention and has low survival rates. [8]
The symptoms of myxedema coma are:
Hypothermia
Hypotension
Bradycardia
Decreased respiratory rate
Macroglossia
Thinning or coarse hair
Thankfully, it is a rare complication of thyroid disorders with early diagnosis and preventive measures.
How Chronius Can Help
If living with chronic illness feels like a full time job, you aren’t alone.
That’s why at Chronius, we make it easy to navigate the healthcare system as a patient. Our online care management platform brings together all of your health records and offers a 1-click appointment prep tool that easily synthesizes your health story for your care team. You also can track all of your symptoms, identify trends, learn from vetted medical information, and follow a custom patient journey map. Plus, if you needs hands on support, our Care Advocates are available to help you with any issues you may hit up against. Personalized support as you navigate your care journey is what we are all about.
Check out Chronius Health’s free symptom tracker, which is customizable to your chronic condition.
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