Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPrognosisLife ExpectancyComplicationsTreatmentWhat to ExpectFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Prognosis
Life Expectancy
Complications
Treatment
What to Expect
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, the outlook forhypothyroidismis good with proper medical treatment, particularly if it is started early. Most people begin to see a resolution of their symptoms within two weeks of starting medication to treat the condition. However, medication must be continued throughout life.
Hypothyroidism may be due to an autoimmune condition (in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your tissues), such asHashimoto’s thyroiditis, or other processes affecting yourthyroid glandthat are not autoimmune-related.
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Thyroid hormone, which is low in hypothyroidism, is integral in the processes of temperature regulation and metabolism in the body. Therefore, a deficiency may impact your ability to stay warm or maintain energy.
As a result, feeling cold or fatigued is a common non-specific symptom that may appear early on before diagnosis. Other common symptoms you might experience include constipation, slight weight gain, and muscle cramps or weakness.
This article will discuss the prognosis for hypothyroidism, how it affects life expectancy, possible complications, and treatment.
Hashimoto’s vs. Hypothyroidism: Understanding the Difference
Hypothyroidism Prognosis
There is no cure for hypothyroidism. Treatment requires lifelong medication and lifestyle modifications. The prognosis for hypothyroidism is generally good when medication is started early. However, your proper dosage may take some time to figure out, and the dosage may need to be adjusted over time.
If untreated, hypothyroidism carries a highmorbidity (illness) and mortalityrate. Untreated hypothyroidism carries an increased risk of medical complications such as intellectual disability, depression, andmyxedema coma(coma with low body temperature). Hypothyroidism may induce or exacerbate cardiovascular problems.
Does Hypothyroidism Affect Life Expectancy?
With proper treatment, a person with hypothyroidism usually has a normal life expectancy, with little or no decrease in quality of life.Hypothyroidism generally carries a greater life expectancy than hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).
One study found a 3.5-year difference in life expectancy between those with low-normal thyroid function and high-normal thyroid function in those without cardiovascular disease.However, this data has limitations, such as the lack of racial diversity in the study’s research participants.
Complications of Hypothyroidism
Complications of hypothyroidism usually develop as a result of a lack of treatment. Myxedema coma is the most severe complication of hypothyroidism. It is a life-threatening condition from untreated, undertreated, or undiagnosed hypothyroidism that can lead to coma and organ failure.
Other complications include:
Hypothyroidism Treatment
Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid gland doesn’t make enough of the thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Treatment requires that you replace the thyroid hormone you are missing.
T4 makes up the majority of the thyroid hormone in your blood—about 95%. Therefore the most common medical treatment is levothyroxine sodium (brand names include Synthroid, Levoxyl, and Levothroid)—a synthetic version of T4.
If you are low in T3, your healthcare provider may prescribe liothyronine, a synthetic version of T3. Liotrix—a synthetic combination of T4 and T3—is prescribed to those with low levels of both T3 and T4 thyroid hormones.
There is no standard dosage of thyroid hormone. Your healthcare provider will determine the best dosage for you based on the following factors:
How to Take Thyroid Medication Including Levothyroxine
People rarely experience hypothyroidism in the same way. One person may have little to no symptoms, while another may experience fatigue, weight gain, intolerance to cold, a puffy face, or thinning hair, prompting them to see a healthcare provider.
After you are diagnosed, your healthcare provider will prescribe thyroid replacement therapy (TRT) and help determine the best dose for you, given your overall health profile.
Common side effects of thyroid replacement therapy include:
If you have a history of heart attack, diabetes, or high blood pressure, check with your healthcare provider to see if TRT is suitable for you.
Summary
A Word From Verywell
Hypothyroidism is a highly treatable health condition that usually carries a promising outlook with proper treatment. Finding the correct dose of medication for you may take some time, but once you do, you can expect to start feeling better within a couple of weeks. If you do not, seek immediate medical attention from your healthcare provider.
There is no cure for hypothyroidism, and treatment requires lifelong medication and lifestyle modifications.Learn MoreHow Hypothyroidism Is Treated
There is no cure for hypothyroidism, and treatment requires lifelong medication and lifestyle modifications.
Learn MoreHow Hypothyroidism Is Treated
The earliest signs of a thyroid problem may be fatigue, weight gain despite no change in your eating patterns, and feeling sluggish.Learn MoreSymptoms of Hypthyroidism
The earliest signs of a thyroid problem may be fatigue, weight gain despite no change in your eating patterns, and feeling sluggish.
Learn MoreSymptoms of Hypthyroidism
Learn MoreWhat Is Myxedema Coma?
Untreated hypothyroidism leads to the progression of the disease and increases the risk of severe medical complications like heart disease, dementia, peripheral nerve damage, infertility, and myxedema coma.Learn MoreLiving With Hypothyroidism
Untreated hypothyroidism leads to the progression of the disease and increases the risk of severe medical complications like heart disease, dementia, peripheral nerve damage, infertility, and myxedema coma.
Learn MoreLiving With Hypothyroidism
Natural Treatment for Hypothyroidism
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Gesing A.The thyroid gland and the process of aging.Thyroid Res. 2015;8(Suppl 1):A8. doi:10.1186/1756-6614-8-S1-A8
Bano A, Dhana K, Chaker L, et al.Association of thyroid function with life expectancy with and without cardiovascular disease: the Rotterdam Study.JAMA Intern Med. 2017;177(11):1650. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.4836
John Hopkins Lupus Center.Thyroid medications.
MedlinePlus.Levothyroxine.
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