Hypothyroidism in Men

Hypothyroidism refers to an underactive thyroid gland, or lack of enough thyroid hormones. Hypothyroidism in men is not very common. However, some men can develop this condition due to a variety of reasons. You can find out more about the causes, symptoms and treatment for hypothyroidism with this article.

Hypothyroidism refers to the insufficient production of thyroid hormones. This condition is also referred to as underactive thyroid gland. The thyroid gland, which is located at the base of the neck (just below the Adam's apple) produces mainly two hormones, known as thyroxine (T-4) and triiodothyronine (T-3). Both the hormones are responsible for regulating the rate of metabolism, temperature of the body, heart rate and production of protein. The secretion of these thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland is controlled by the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. Under secretion of thyroid hormones or hypothyroidism can affect the the rate of metabolism, and over a period of time can lead to a number of health problems. Hypothyroidism can affect both men and women, though it is more prevalent among women. In this article, we are going to discuss the causes, symptoms and the treatment of hypothyroidism in men.

Causes of Hypothyroidism in Men

Majority of the cases of hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid in men are caused by a problem with the thyroid gland. Only in a few cases, hypothyroidism can be caused by a problem of the pituitary gland or the brain. Most often, hypothyroidism results from an autoimmune condition, known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The immune system produces antibodies to attack the thyroid gland, which in turn affects the ability of the gland to produce hormones effectively. Many a times, individuals receiving treatment for hyperthyroidism can too develop hypothyroidism over a period of time. Hyperthyroidism is usually treated with radioactive iodine and anti-thyroid medications. Apart from these, some other important causes of hypothyroidism in men are, thyroid surgery, radiation treatment for head or neck cancer, iodine deficiency, certain drugs like, lithium and disorder of the pituitary gland.

Hypothyroidism Symptoms in Men

In the early stage, mild hypothyroidism may not produce any specific symptoms. The symptoms of hypothyroidism can also vary depending on the extent of the deficiency of thyroid hormones. The signs and symptoms of underactive thyroid usually become more evident in the later stage. Some of the most commonly observed signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism in men are

Excessive fatigue and sluggishness

Constipation

Increased intolerance to cold

Pale and dry skin

Poor muscle tone

Loss of appetite

Weight gain

Hair loss

Depression

Muscle cramps and joint pain

Brittle hair and fingernails

Puffy skin

Irritability

Memory impairment

Thinning of the eyebrows

Low basal body temperature

In addition to these low thyroid symptoms in men, there could be an association between hypothyroidism in men and infertility. It has been observed that hypothyroidism can cause some form of sexual dysfunction in many affected individuals. Men with hypothyroidism can experience decreased libido, delayed or premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction.

Treatment for Hypothyroidism in Men

Diagnosis of hypothyroidism involves a thorough evaluation of the symptoms, and blood tests to measure the level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and the hormone, thyroxine. TSH is secreted by the pituitary gland to stimulate the thyroid gland to release the hormones. The secretion of TSH is regulated by the hypothalamus. Hypothyroidism in adults is treated with the synthetic thyroid hormone, which is known as levothyroxine. Individuals with hypothyroidism are usually required to take this synthetic hormone for lifetime. However, the dosage of levothyroxine for low thyroid treatment can change over time. Physicians check the level of TSH at regular intervals, in order to determine the right dosage of levothyroxine.

So, this is a brief overview of hypothyroidism in men, its causes, symptoms and treatment. After knowing much about hypothyroidism, you must be wondering, 'how common is hypothyroidism in men'. Hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid is more common in women than men. However, secondary hypothyroidism is observed to be more common in men than women. It is caused by the decreased secretion of 'thyroid stimulating hormone' or TSH. Though hypothyroidism is not very common among men, they too can develop this condition at times. Therefore, the symptoms of hypothyroidism should never be neglected. Instead, they should be properly evaluated to ensure early detection and treatment of hypothyroidism.