K.N.O.W. Home Health - HYPOTHYROIDISM

Patient Education: Hypothyroidism

What is Hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is a condition where your thyroid gland, a small butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, does not make enough thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone helps control your body’s energy and many important functions.

Causes and Risk Factors
Hypothyroidism can happen because of:

Autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (your body attacks your own thyroid)
Not enough iodine in your diet
Surgery to remove the thyroid or radiation treatment
Certain medicines that affect the thyroid
Pregnancy or childbirth
Family history of thyroid problems

Signs and Symptoms (Early Warning Signs)
You might feel:

Tired or very sleepy
Cold all the time
Slow heartbeat
Weight gain without trying
Constipation
Dry skin or hair loss
Depression or feeling sad
Trouble thinking clearly or memory problems
Puffy face or swollen neck (goiter)

Complications if Untreated
If hypothyroidism is not treated, it can cause serious problems like heart disease, infertility, and in rare cases, a life-threatening condition called myxedema coma.

Treatment and Self-Care

Taking thyroid hormone pills every day as your doctor tells you.
Do not stop your medicine unless your doctor says so.
Keep regular doctor visits to check your thyroid levels.
Eat a healthy diet but avoid eating too much soy or certain raw vegetables like cabbage if you have thyroid problems.
Get enough rest and exercise as you can.

Common Medications

Levothyroxine is the most common medicine that replaces the missing thyroid hormone.

Purpose and Side Effects of Medications
The medicine helps your body get back to normal by replacing the hormone your thyroid can’t make. Side effects are rare if you take the right dose but can include feeling nervous, fast heartbeat, or trouble sleeping if the dose is too high.

Dietary Needs and Lifestyle Changes

Eat balanced meals with enough iodine (found in iodized salt and seafood).
Avoid very large amounts of soy products and raw cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli, cabbage) as they can affect thyroid function.
Don’t skip your medication, and take it the same time every day, usually before breakfast.

Safety Considerations and Prevention

Always tell your doctor about all medicines and supplements you take.
Keep your follow-up lab appointments to check your thyroid levels.
Wear a medical alert bracelet if advised by your doctor.

When to Call for Help
Call your Home Health Agency or Doctor if:

You feel more tired or weak than usual
You notice swelling in your neck or new lumps
You have trouble breathing or swallowing
You have symptoms like chest pain or very fast heartbeat

Go to the Emergency Room if:

You have very severe confusion, cold body temperature, or feel very weak and cannot move (signs of myxedema coma)
You have severe chest pain or trouble breathing

Patient Homework / Assessment: True or False

Instructions: Read each statement carefully. Write True if the statement is correct. Write False if the statement is wrong. For every false statement, please correct it with the right information.

True or False: Hypothyroidism means the thyroid gland makes too much hormone.
True or False: Feeling very tired can be a sign of hypothyroidism.
True or False: Weight loss is a common symptom of hypothyroidism.
True or False: Taking thyroid medicine every day is important.
True or False: You can stop taking your medicine when you feel better.
True or False: Levothyroxine is a medicine used to treat hypothyroidism.
True or False: Hypothyroidism can cause slow heartbeat.
True or False: Eating a lot of soy or raw cabbage can affect thyroid health.
True or False: If untreated, hypothyroidism can cause heart problems.
True or False: You should take your thyroid medicine with food to help it work better.
True or False: Regular blood tests help your doctor see how well your medicine is working.
True or False: Dry skin and hair loss are symptoms of hypothyroidism.
True or False: Hypothyroidism can cause depression or trouble thinking.
True or False: It’s safe to skip medication sometimes if you forget.
True or False: You should tell your doctor about any other medicines you take.
True or False: Myxedema coma is a serious complication of untreated hypothyroidism.
True or False: Puffy face or neck swelling can be signs of hypothyroidism.
True or False: You only need to see your doctor once after diagnosis.
True or False: Hypothyroidism is more common in people with a family history of thyroid problems.
True or False: If you have chest pain or trouble breathing, you should go to the emergency room.

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

Individualized Patient Questions

What blood tests do you know that help check your thyroid hormone levels? (Examples: TSH, Free T4)
What medications are you currently taking to treat your hypothyroidism?
Do you know the best time and way to take your thyroid medication?
Have you noticed any changes in your symptoms since starting medication?
How often do you visit your doctor to check your thyroid levels?
Do you avoid foods or supplements that might interfere with your thyroid medicine?