It Was Cold and I Had No Appetite, Thought It Was a Winter Cold... But It Was the 'Gapsangseon' (Thyroid)

Daedong Hospital: "Hypothyroidism" Often Mistaken for a Cold, Requires Prompt Diagnosis and Consistent Treatment

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Office worker A is particularly sensitive to cold. Recently, their appetite has decreased, leading to reduced food intake. Feeling heavy and lethargic continuously, they thought it was a winter cold and visited a nearby hospital, where they were diagnosed with hypothyroidism.

The thyroid is an endocrine gland located at the front of the neck that produces thyroid hormones in response to signals from the thyroid-stimulating hormone secreted by the pituitary gland.

Thyroid hormones regulate the speed of metabolic processes that exchange or transfer energy within our body. Hypothyroidism refers to a condition where thyroid hormone is deficient due to various causes, resulting in reduced peripheral tissue metabolism.

It is classified into primary hypothyroidism caused by abnormalities in the thyroid itself and secondary hypothyroidism caused by pituitary gland disorders. Most hypothyroidism patients have primary hypothyroidism, of which 70?90% are chronic autoimmune thyroiditis.

This is a chronic inflammatory disease in which an autoimmune response occurs in the thyroid, producing autoantibodies that attract inflammatory cells to the thyroid, gradually destroying thyroid cells.

When metabolic function decreases in the body, body temperature drops, causing severe sensitivity to cold and loss of appetite, while weight increases or various substances accumulate in the body, resulting in facial swelling and symptoms such as cold and dry skin. Fatigue, lethargy, and apathy may also appear as signs of loss of motivation.

In hypothyroidism, symptoms appear depending on the degree and speed of deficiency, and if it progresses slowly, symptoms may be mild and difficult for the patient to notice.

Hypothyroidism can be diagnosed through blood tests. Treatment involves supplementing the deficient thyroid hormone with medication. According to the diagnosis of an endocrinology specialist, the dosage is adjusted to maintain normal metabolic function, and after a certain period of medication, blood tests are conducted to confirm the status.

Dr. Lee Kwang-jae, head of the Endocrinology Department at Daedong Hospital, said, “Hypothyroidism often shows symptoms similar to a cold during the cold winter season, leading to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment,” and advised, “If you have a family history, feel colder than others, or frequently feel lethargic, it is best to consult an endocrinology specialist for diagnosis.”

Dr. Lee added, “There is a common misconception that medication for thyroid dysfunction must be taken for life, or some patients arbitrarily stop long-term medication,” but emphasized, “However, depending on the cause of the disease, a cure is possible, so regular check-ups and consistent treatment are essential.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.