Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism refers to a condition in which the thyroid gland is under-producing certain hormones that the body needs to function properly. The most common cause of this condition in this country is Hashimoto’s disease, a disorder in which the immune system improperly attacks the thyroid gland, causing inflammation. Middle-aged women are most likely to be diagnosed with hypothyroidism, which causes a variety of symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, depression, puffiness in the face, high cholesterol, aching and weak muscles, and stiffness, pain and inflammation in the joints. In most cases, hypothyroidism can be successfully treated with orally administered synthetic hormone medication.