What Happens When Hypothyroidism is Left Untreated
Hypothyroidism is generally a lifetime disease that needs ongoing treatment using synthetic levothyroxine. The treatment assures that you have enough levels of thyroid hormones. If the condition is left untreated the low levels of thyroid hormone will hurt the body, causing sluggish overall metabolism. Here are some of the effects of an unattended case of hypothyroidism.
The thyroid hormones are necessary in the operation of the heart as they help in controlling the heart rate and output. Thyroid hormones relaxes the heart muscles making sure that it is qualified to pump correct volume of blood throughout the body. Low levels of thyroid hormones is perilous to the heart as it could slow down the heart rate considerably. Consequently, the blood vessel walls become stiff and blood pressure rises, and can result in hypertension.
For the brain, hypothyroidism can lead to depression because of its incapacitating effects on those afflicted with it. Left with no treatment, it may also trigger the deterioration of the brain and lead to dementia, wherein the individual has a difficult time focusing and remembering past events.
The reproduction system is additionally vulnerable when hypothyroidism is left with no treatment. For women, it can impact the ovulation process bringing about irregular menstrual cycles. Pregnant women with hypothyroidism confronts a huge risk of miscarriage. It can also compromise the development of the fetus. Therefore, it may lead to birth defects on children born to mothers with hypothyroidism and result in their stunted developmental growth.
The worse case scenario for an untreated case of hypothyroidism is a serious, life-threatening condition called myxedema coma. The symptoms of this condition are fluid formation, seizures, slow heart rate, urine retention, delirium, stupor, constipation, decreasing functioning of the lung, hypothermia, and eventually coma. It is a rare state that can be activated by experiencing serious stress such as infections, extreme cold, trauma, stroke, heart failure, and surgery. Other medications such as amiodarone, lithium, tranquilizers, and phenothiazines, as well as continuous iodine exposure can also result in this condition. Myxedema coma is an emergency state and immediate medical treatment is extremely necessary. Although it is a unusual state, fatality rates are very high, ranging from 30% to 60% with older patients.