Clinical perspective of hypothyroidism

Thyroid dysfunction, mostly hypothyroidism is a frequent disorder in the general population, especially among women. Hypothyroidism is defined as a deficiency of thyroid activity. Hypothyroidism is a clinical syndrome that results from insufficient production or action of thyroid hormones, leading to a total decrease of metabolic processes. It results from reduced secretion of both thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The disorder slows the metabolism, with classic symptoms of slowness of movement, tiredness, low energy, change in appearance and voice, weight gain, cold intolerance, poor libido and constipation. Furthermore, abnormalities of lipid metabolism, hyperhomocysteinemia, and arterial hypertension occur with increased frequency in hypothyroidism and are associated with an increased risk of premature atherosclerotic vascular disease. Treatment with thyroid hormones results in an increase in basal energy expenditure, which affects the synthesis, mobilization and degradation of lipids.