Could be confused with dementia… Symptoms of reduced thyroid function

Heart dysfunction, constipation, and chronic fatigue may occur.

Posted 2024.01.01 10:07 Views 183 Posted 2024.01.01 10:07 Edited 2024.01.01 10:05 Views 183 Vague muscle or joint pain is considered one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism. [사진=클립아트코리아]

The thyroid gland, located in the front of the neck, produces hormones. If there is a problem with thyroid function, too much hormone is being secreted or not being produced properly. If it is secreted in excess, hyperthyroidism can occur, while if it is not secreted correctly, hypothyroidism can occur.

Among these, hypothyroidism occurs more often in women and the incidence increases with age. Diagnosing hypothyroidism in older adults is not easy. There may be no symptoms, or even if there are, they could be mistaken for dementia or aging.

We reviewed symptoms that may indicate hypothyroidism in older adults introduced by ≪Harvard Health Publishing≫, published by Harvard University Medical School in the United States. If you suspect hypothyroidism, it is best to get a blood test first. The earlier it is detected, the easier it will be to manage.

cognitive decline=Older people with very low thyroid activity can sometimes be misdiagnosed as having dementia. Therefore, doctors recommend thyroid tests to older adults with cognitive impairment. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, it is a good idea to have a thyroid test.

Even though I don’t eat a lot of fatty foods, my cholesterol is too high.= High cholesterol levels in older adults may be evidence that the thyroid gland itself is less active. If you get a blood test, there is a high possibility that you have hypothyroidism.

poor cardiac function= Decreased blood volume, weakened heart muscle contraction, and decreased heart rate are symptoms that appear when thyroid hormone levels are low. When your heart can’t pump blood as effectively as it needs to, you may experience subtle symptoms, such as feeling low on energy or walking more slowly. In patients with heart failure (loss of heart function), the heart’s pumping function is impaired and blood entering the heart cannot be discharged, resulting in fluid seeping into soft tissue, causing swelling in the lungs and ankles.

severe constipation=Older adults with hypothyroidism often develop constipation because stool passes through the intestines more slowly.

Joint and muscle pain even though I didn’t exercise too much= Vague joint pain is a typical symptom of hypothyroidism. People with hypothyroidism also experience muscle pain, especially in large muscles such as the leg muscles.

Endless effort=If you continue to feel tired and exhausted even though you haven’t done any particularly strenuous activities, you may suspect hypothyroidism. Fatigue causes lethargy, apathy and leads to depression.

Depressed and even hallucinating=Depression, a symptom commonly seen in young women with hypothyroidism, can also appear in older people. Some older people develop psychosis accompanied by delusions or hallucinations.

Journalist Kwon Soon-il

kstt77@kormedi.com

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2024-01-01 01:08:46
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