Thyroid is a common term for all the conditions that affect your thyroid functions. There are two main types of thyroid disease- hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Thyroid diseases are usually treatable with medication.
What does your thyroid do?
By producing hormones, your thyroid gland affects nearly every metabolic function in your body. The thyroid gland is a component of your endocrine system. Thyroid illness is the overproduction or underproduction of critical hormones by the thyroid.
The spectrum of thyroid illnesses and diseases extends from benign goiters (enlarged glands) that don't require medical attention to potentially fatal malignancies. Thyroid hormone production abnormalities are the most common cause of thyroid disorders. Hyperthyroidism is the outcome of producing too much thyroid hormone, whereas hypothyroidism is the result of producing insufficient amounts of the hormone. If correctly recognized and treated, many thyroid issues can be effectively managed, despite the possibility of unpleasant or uncomfortable side effects.
What is thyroid disease?
A medical problem that prevents your thyroid from producing the proper amount of hormones is commonly referred to as thyroid illness. Individuals of various ages may be affected.
The thyroid is a small gland beneath the skin that looks like a butterfly and is situated at the front of your neck. As a component of your endocrine system, it produces and releases thyroid hormones, such as triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), which regulate a number of vital bodily processes.
The primary function of your thyroid is to regulate your metabolic rate, or how quickly you burn food. This is the mechanism via which your body converts the food you eat into energy. Your body's cells all require energy to function. Your entire body may be affected by an underactive thyroid.
What are the types of thyroid disease?
The two major types of thyroid disease are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. However, they each have multiple conditions that can cause them.
Conditions that can cause hypothyroidism are:
Hashimoto’s disease: This is a chronic autoimmune condition that can lead to an underactive thyroid. In countries with widely available iodized salt, it is the most common cause of hypothyroidism.
Iodine deficiency: A lack of iodine in your diet can result in hypothyroidism since your thyroid needs the mineral to make thyroid hormone. It is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in countries that don’t have iodized salt available widely. It often causes goiter, which essentially means an enlarged thyroid.
Congenital hypothyroidism: At times, babies can be born with a missing or underactive thyroid. At least 1 in every 2,000 to 4,000 babies are born with congenital hypothyroidism.
Conditions that can cause hyperthyroidism are:
Graves’ disease: This is a chronic autoimmune disease that is responsible for an overactive thyroid and the most common cause of hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid nodules: Thyroid nodules are abnormal lumps on your thyroid gland. If your nodules are hyperfunctioning, it can cause hyperthyroidism.
Excessive iodine: Having too much iodine in your body causes the thyroid to create more thyroid hormones than the requirement. Certain medications like amiodarone can lead to excessive development of iodine in the body.
Conditions that can cause both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism at different times are:
Thyroiditis: Thyroiditis refers to the inflammation of the thyroid gland. Usually, it results in first temporary hyperthyroidism and later temporary or chronic hypothyroidism.
Postpartum thyroiditis: Some new parents experience postpartum thyroiditis, a very uncommon illness that develops after pregnancy. In the year following childbirth, this is thought to affect 5% of people. Usually, it results in hypothyroidism after hyperthyroidism. Usually, it's just temporary.
What are the symptoms of thyroid disease?
If you have thyroid disease, you could have a wide range of symptoms. Unfortunately, thyroid symptoms can be mistaken for those of other illnesses and life stages rather frequently. Because of this, it may be challenging to determine whether your symptoms are caused by a thyroid problem or something else entirely.
Generally speaking, there are two categories of thyroid illness symptoms: hyperthyroidism, or having too much thyroid hormone, and hypothyroidism, or having too little thyroid hormone. Frequently, the two illnesses' symptoms are "opposites." This is because a hypothyroidized body has a slower metabolism than a hyperthyroid one.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
Slower heart rate than usual
Fatigue
Sudden weight gain
Sensitivity to cold
Dry skin and coarse hair
Depression
Heavy menstruation
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:
Faster heart rate than usual
Difficulty sleeping
Sudden weight loss
Sensitivity to heat
Clammy or sweaty skin
Feeling nervous, anxious, or irritable
Irregular menstrual cycles
Both these conditions can cause goiter, but it is more common in hyperthyroidism.
What are the risk factors?
There are certain risk factors associated with developing a thyroid condition. Some of them are:
If you are assigned female at birth. People assigned female at birth are five to eight times more likely to develop a thyroid disease than people assigned male at birth.
If you have a history of thyroid condition in family
If you have Turner syndrome
If you take any medication high in iodine
If you live in a country or region that does not have iodized salt
If you are older than 60 and especially if you are Assigned Female at Birth
If you have received radiation therapy to your neck and/or neck.
Some autoimmune diseases also increase the risk of developing thyroid, especially if you have the following diseases:
Pernicious anemia
Type 1 diabetes
Celiac disease
Addison’s disease
Lupus
Rheumatoid arthritis.
Common FAQs
What is thyroid and what does it do?
Thyroid is the butterfly-shaped gland present in the front of the neck. The thyroid gland produces hormones, such as triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), which help function and aid brain development, muscle control, mood regulation, and digestive system.
How do I know I have a thyroid disorder?
Different thyroid disorders have some similar overlapping symptoms. The symptoms can be:
Temperature sensitivity
Unusual weight changes
Fatigue or sleep issues
Mental health problems
Changes in hair, nails, and skin
Digestion issues
Menstruation and fertility problems
Eye problems
Cognitive problems
Musculoskeletal system issues
How risky is a thyroid disorder?
When hyperthyroidism is left untreated, a rare but extremely dangerous disease known as thyroid storm can develop. Surgery, trauma, or infection can all set it off. The signs of this potentially fatal illness include delirium, a very rapid heartbeat, diarrhea, a high fever, agitation, and loss of consciousness.
Another dangerous but uncommon disease brought on by hypothyroidism is myxedema coma. Infection, cold, trauma, and specific medications are its triggers. Its symptoms include a dip in body temperature and blood pressure that leaves a person comatose. It even has the potential to be fatal.
How is thyroid disease diagnosed?
Your physician will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and conduct a physical exam. The physician will also gently feel your thyroid gland to check whether it is enlarged or if there are any visible nodules. The physician might also suggest some thyroid tests like blood tests and imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis.
How is thyroid disease treated?
The type of thyroid disease and its underlying cause will determine how it is treated.
Treatment choices for hyperthyroidism include:
Methylthiouracil and methimazole are antithyroid medicines that prevent your thyroid from producing hormones.
Radioiodine therapy causes damage to thyroid cells, which stops the thyroid gland from producing high amounts of thyroid hormone.
Beta-blockers help control some symptoms, such as an accelerated heart rate, but they have no effect on the thyroid.
Your doctor might advise a thyroidectomy (removal of the thyroid) as a more long-term course of treatment. It will no longer produce hormones as a result. But for the rest of your life, you will have to take synthetic thyroid replacement hormones in the form of pills.
Thyroid replacement therapy is the primary treatment option for hypothyroidism. It's a synthetic method of replenishing your body with thyroid hormones. Levothyroxine is one drug that doctors often give. Synthetic thyroxine (T4) is the thyroid hormone replacement most frequently prescribed.
Which thyroid is the most serious?
Your body will use energy too quickly and you may develop hyperthyroidism if your thyroid is hyperactive and generates too many hormones. This may be risky because it can lead to involuntary weight loss and a quicker heartbeat. It can cause major issues with the heart, bones, and other organs if left untreated.
Can you live normally with thyroid?
Patients with thyroid conditions can live long, healthy lives if they take their thyroid replacement medication as prescribed. On the other hand, hypothyroidism left untreated can lower the quality of life and raise the risk of chronic problems like heart disease.
Why is thyroid more common in females?
Due in part to the autoimmune nature of many thyroid problems, women are more likely than men to suffer from thyroid ailments. In both pre-and postmenopausal women, thyroid nodules and hypothyroidism are common. There is also a connection between pregnancy and thyroid function alterations.
Who can get thyroid problems?
Anyone can problems related to thyroid. Sometimes, even babies are born with thyroid diseases.
Many newborns with either an absent or malfunctioning thyroid gland typically do not exhibit symptoms immediately. However, if hypothyroidism remains undiagnosed and untreated, symptoms will eventually manifest.
Which foods are good for hyperthyroidism?
Foods rich in selenium, iron, calcium, and vitamin D may be beneficial for a person with hyperthyroidism.
What foods should a person with hyperthyroidism avoid?
Healthcare professionals may recommend that people with hyperthyroidism avoid high-iodine foods, soy, gluten, and caffeine.
Can diet help in reversing hyperthyroidism?
Certain foods can affect the production of thyroid hormones and how the thyroid functions. However, diet alone cannot cure hyperthyroidism.
What should someone with hyperthyroidism drink?
People with hyperthyroidism should usually drink water to stay hydrated.When consumed in moderation, milk, some herbal teas, and low-iodine beverages like lemonade might also be okay.
Can I prevent thyroid disease?
In general, thyroid disorders are not avoidable. This is due to the fact that autoimmune diseases and/or genetics play a major role in the majority of thyroid disease cases, which are incurable.
The two conditions that you might be able to avoid are excess or insufficient iodine-related thyroid issues. If you're worried about getting enough iodine in your diet, consult your doctor.