When your body fails to produce thyroid hormone correctly, hormone replacement therapy can help. This treatment ensures proper function of this vital gland by supplementing the hormones that would normally be generated by the thyroid.
Failure to treat hypothyroidism can result in symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, and memory problems, among many other health effects. Additionally, lack of treatment can eventually lead to the following serious health complications and may even cause lasting consequences.
Thyroid underactivity is linked to increased levels of LDL cholesterol, which can cause fat to accumulate within blood vessels. High cholesterol increases one’s risk of heart disease, which can eventually lead to heart failure. As a result, treating hypothyroidism can preserve the health and function of your heart.
Thyroid dysfunction can cause the gland to become increasingly inflamed, which is known as a goitre. Depending on the size of the goitre, the thyroid gland may be palpable through a person’s skin or even get in the way of swallowing and breathing.
A person’s ovulation cycle can also be impacted by decreased thyroid hormone, which can cause issues with fertility. Additionally, having untreated thyroid disease at the time of delivery can increase a baby’s odds of experiencing birth defects.
Peripheral nerves are responsible for transporting information from the central nervous system (i.e., the brain and spinal cord) to other areas of the body. Peripheral neuropathy is characterized by damage to these nerves, which can cause numbness and pain in the extremities.
While fortunately rare, myxoedema coma is an emergency medical condition that can accompany extended untreated hypothyroidism. In this case, a secondary infection or sedative medication can induce effects like sleepiness and cold sensitivity in people with underactive thyroids. If medical treatment is not sought immediately, a person can lose consciousness and fall into a coma.