[KoK! Health] "It's summer but cold"... Could be symptoms of 'hypothyroidism'

#. Mr. Jeong In-hwa, in his 60s, suddenly became sensitive to cold despite it being summer, and experienced fatigue, lethargy, and decreased concentration. Thinking it was simply air conditioning sickness caused by the air conditioner, he eventually visited a hospital and was diagnosed with 'hypothyroidism.'

The thyroid is an endocrine gland located at the front of the neck. It produces a thyroid hormone called thyroxine in response to signals from the thyroid-stimulating hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. This hormone plays a role in maintaining the function of all organs in our body, regulating metabolic rate and energy. When this thyroid hormone is not produced properly, 'hypothyroidism' develops. As the thyroid hormone, which generates heat and regulates metabolic rate in the body, becomes deficient, metabolic function declines.

The main symptoms of hypothyroidism include easily feeling tired and having a low body temperature, resulting in severe sensitivity to cold. Other symptoms include weight gain despite not eating much, lethargy, decreased concentration, dry hair and skin, and swelling of the face and hands and feet. Dr. Park Yo-han, a breast and thyroid surgery specialist at H Plus Yangji Hospital, explained, "Hypothyroidism can be accompanied by complications such as heart disease, hyperlipidemia, and arteriosclerosis, so caution is needed. Since there are almost no early symptoms, many people do not receive hospital treatment, but because symptoms progress slowly over a long period, regular checkups such as health screenings are necessary."

Most cases are discovered incidentally during health checkups or hyperlipidemia tests, and if the degree of dysfunction is not severe, treatment may often involve only periodic observation without special treatment for a certain period. However, if there is a family history, or if the patient is a pregnant woman whose thyroid disease can affect the fetus, or has immune-related diseases such as diabetes, detailed examinations are recommended. When diagnosed with hypothyroidism, treatment involves supplementing thyroid hormone. Since the body is in a state of deficiency of the essential thyroid hormone needed to restore normal metabolism, the hormone must be supplemented with medication accordingly. The dosage of medication is adjusted according to the patient's condition.

Dr. Park emphasized, "For pregnant women, maintaining thyroid function is important because thyroid hormone affects fetal brain nerve development. For diabetic patients, if hypothyroidism occurs, glucose absorption and production are impaired, insulin clearance decreases, insulin concentration increases, and hypoglycemia can occur, so caution is necessary."

Nutrition and foods that help prevent hypothyroidism include beef and chicken containing zinc, which activates thyroid hormone; brown rice (mixed grains rice), which is low in carbohydrates and effective for constipation and weight control; nuts and eggs containing selenium, which aids thyroid hormone absorption; and broccoli. It is also good to regularly consume iodine-rich seaweed and dairy products, which are beneficial for thyroid function recovery.