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The thyroid, a gland that is located in the neck, helps to regulate the body's metabolism, sustain the body's temperature and helps to maintain proper function of the body's organs. The two most common thyroid diseases are Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland is not producing the proper amount of thyroid hormone whereas Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid is producing too much.
Causes; the leading cause of Hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. This is when the immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells leaving the thyroid unable to produce the proper amount of hormones needed to do its job, therefore leading to an under active thyroid.
In nearly 95% of cases Hyperthyroidism can be directly linked to Graves Disease. Graves Disease is an auto-immune disease that attacks the healthy thyroid gland. Graves Disease causes the thyroid to produce an abundance of the thyroid hormone.p>
SymptomsThe most common complains of Hypothyroidism are; fatigue, dry skin and hair, muscle aches, weight gain and constantly feeling cold. These symptoms may come on slowly over the course of many years. The average person will not notice the onset of these symptoms until they become severe in nature. The severity of the symptoms will also depend on whether or not the disease is being properly treated.
The symptoms of Hyperthyroidism may also develop slowly over the course of years. Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism may include weight loss, hair loss, hot flashes, insomnia, nervousness and muscle weakness. Females have noticed that their menstrual cycles have become lighter or may disappear altogether.
DiagnosisHypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism are both diagnosed easily once the disease is suspected. A simple blood test that measures the amount of thyroid hormone in the blood is used for both diagnoses. When too little thyroid hormone is found the diagnosis of hypothyroidism is made. Conversely, when the level of thyroid hormone is too high the diagnosis of Hyperthyroidism is made.
TreatmentHypothyroidism is treated with a man-made thyroid replacement therapy in pill form. The dose will need to be monitored until the proper level of treatment is achieved. Medication for Hypothyroidism is usually taken for the rest of the patient's life.
Hyperthyroidism is treated with either an anti-thyroid medication, for milder cases, or with Radioactive Iodine with more severe cases and for those with Graves Disease. Patients will need to discuss their options thoroughly with their doctor.
What else can I help you with?
What is the most common form of thyroiditis?
The most common type of thyroiditis is Hashimoto's disease
Do patients with hyperthyroidism have visible enlarge thyroid glands?
Though it is not common, patients with hyperthyroidism can experience an enlarged thyroid gland depending upon age and stage of life. An enlarged thyroid gland is more common among those with hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's thyrioditis, or postpartum thyroiditis.
Name the most common endocrine gland to produce a disease condition or problem?
The thyroid gland is the most common endocrine gland to produce a disease condition or problem. Conditions such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) are frequently seen. Hypothyroidism can result in symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and depression, while hyperthyroidism can cause symptoms such as weight loss, anxiety, and increased heart rate.
What's Thyroid disease?
Thyroid diseases sometimes result from inappropriate TSH levels, or may be caused by problems in the thyroid gland itself.The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition where the body makes antibodies that destroy parts of the thyroid gland. Surgical removal and certain medications (e.g., amiodarone, lithium) can also cause hypothyroidism.Other causes of hypothyroidism include pituitary problems, hypothalamus problems, and iodine deficiency (rare in North America, but affects nearly 2 billion people worldwide).Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. This condition occurs when the immune system produces an antibody that stimulates the entire thyroid gland; this leads to overactivity and higher levels of thyroid hormones.Secondary hyperthyroidism is caused when the pituitary gland makes too much TSH, leading to constant stimulation of the thyroid gland. A pituitary tumour may cause TSH levels to rise. More rarely, the pituitary gland becomes insensitive to thyroid hormones, no longer responding to high levels.Another possible cause of hyperthyroidism is a condition called thyroiditis. This condition occurs when the thyroid gland becomes inflamed. Depending on the type of thyroiditis, this may lead to temporary hyperthyroidism that might be followed by hypothyroidism.
Can medication treat an enlarged thyroid?
Yes. An enlarged thyroid gland can occur in two common conditions called hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Both conditions can be treated medically and/or surgically. For example, primary hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) can be treated by administering synthetic thyroid hormone (called levothyroxine). This decreases the signals from the brain that tell the thyroid to grow and work harder, consequently decreasing the size of the gland.
Which diseases or disorders affect the thyroid glands?
The Thyroid Is A Big Part Of Your Organ System and if cancer gets to your thyroid which is called Thyroid cancer your mood becomes crabby and you get VERY emotional.
What are the symptoms of the different kinds of thyroid problems?
There are different kinds of thyroid disorders. The two most common problems are hyperthyroidism in which the thyroid gland is overactive and hypothyroidism in which the thyroid gland is underactive. Each condition has its distinguished symptoms. However, the two disorders share some similar symptoms such as fatigue, heart problems and menstrual changes.
Diets for Thyroid Problems?
Thyroid problems usually fall into one of two categories: hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism is when your body does not produce enough thyroid hormone, or it produces enough hormone but does not absorb it effectively. Hyperthyroidism is when your body produces too much thyroid hormone. The symptoms of hypothyroidism include weight gain, constipation, a horse voice, fatigue, headaches, and aches in the arms and legs. In general, hypothyroidism is a slowing of the body's systems. Some people report that medications do not seem to work well when the thyroid is underperforming. Hyperthyroidism symptoms include anxiety, weight loss, and heart palpitations. Goitgrogens are foods that affect the way the thyroid functions. Foods in this class inhibit thyroid hormone production and should be avoided by anyone with hypothyroidism. Cabbage, millet, cassava, mustard greens, soy and spinach are all common goitgrogens. Patients with hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism should eat plenty of lean meats, fish, poultry, antioxidant-containing foods, and most vegetables. Patients with hyperthyroidism can also eat foods that contain goitgrogens. However, soy should only be eaten with the approval of your doctor if you are taking any kind of thyroid medication. A healthy lifestyle is important for the treatment of thyroid hormone disorders. Exercise has a beneficial effect on both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, so patients with either should get at least 30 minutes of exercise five days per week. Some herbs and supplements may be effective for treating disorders of the thyroid. Sometimes thyroid problems are caused by a lack of iodine; in these cases, iodine supplements can be beneficial. This is rarely a problem in countries like the United States, where all commercially available table salt contains iodine as an additive, but can be a problem in developing countries. Sufferers of hypothyroidism might consider taking selenium supplements, since a lack of selenium in the blood can cause the body to absorb inadequate amounts of thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism sufferers may benefit from supplements of vitamins A, C, and E, which are antioxidants. Anyone with a thyroid disorder should consult a doctor regarding the consumption of alcohol and caffeine, both of which can disrupt the body's metabolism.
What is active thyroid?
An under active thyroid produces too little of necessary thyroid hormones. Thyroid diseases are very common and can be treated with medication. With proper treatment, thyroid hormone levels can be restored and you will likely notice improvement in your symptoms as feeling less fatigue and weight control.
What is hyperthyroidism in adult?
The thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. The cause may be autoimmune disease (Hashimoto's), treatment for hyperthyroidism, radiation therapy, thyroid surgery or some medications. A goiter may cause similar symptoms. The most common cause of goiter worldwide is a lack of iodine in the diet. For people who use iodized salt, goiter is more often due to the over- or underproduction of thyroid hormones or to nodules that develop in the gland itself.
What kinds of hypothydroidism are there?
There are three types of hypothyroidism. The most common is primary hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid doesn't produce an adequate amount of T4.
If they have hypothiodism means with age?
Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. While hypothyroidism can occur at any age, it is more common in women over the age of 60. Aging can affect the functioning of the thyroid gland, leading to an increased risk of hypothyroidism in older individuals.
