It May Surprise You to Learn

• Hypothyroidism is highly treatable

  Treatment with thyroid medicine helps add back the thyroxine your body needs. This helps your body restore thyroxine balance. Taking the right medicine exactly as your doctor prescribed and being an active partner in your treatment can help improve your hypothyroid symptoms. If hypothyroidism is not treated, there is a risk your hypothyroidism could get worse

• Hypothyroidism affects nearly 1 in 10 people 65 years or older^1,2

  Feeling very tired or as if your mind and body are moving in slow motion is a typical symptom of hypothyroidism. There are many other symptoms that may be signs that your thyroid gland is not making the amount of thyroid hormone needed to help keep your body in balance

• You could have hypothyroidism even if you have no symptoms

  Some people may not know they have hypothyroidism unless they go to the doctor for a checkup and have a blood test

• Women older than 50 years are more likely to develop hypothyroidism, although both men and women of any age can get it

  A number of other risk factors can also increase your chances of getting it

Next >> Diagnosis & treatment

References
1. American Thyroid Association. ATA Hypothyroidism Booklet. Falls Church, Va: American Thyroid Association; 2003.
2. Canaris GJ, Manowitz NR, Mayor G, Ridgway EC. The Colorado thyroid disease prevalence study. Arch Intern Med. 2000;160:526-534.