Symptoms of thyroid disease
What is the thyroid?
The thyroid gland is a small organ located in the front of the neck, wrapped around the windpipe (trachea). It is shaped like a butterfly, with two wide wings in the middle that extend around your neck. Thyroid is a gland. You have glands all over your body, where they make and release substances that help your body do a specific job. Your thyroid produces hormones that help regulate many important functions in your body.
The thyroid has an important function in your body - to secrete and regulate thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism. Metabolism is the process in which the food you consume is converted into energy in your body. This energy is used throughout your body to keep many of your body's systems working properly. Think of your metabolism as a generator. It takes raw energy and uses it to achieve something greater.
When your thyroid isn't working properly, it can affect your entire body. If your body produces too much thyroid hormone, you may develop a condition called hyperthyroidism. If your body produces too little thyroid hormone, it is called hypothyroidism. Both conditions are serious and need to be treated by your healthcare provider.
Who is affected by thyroid disease?
Thyroid disease can affect anyone – men, women, children, teenagers and the elderly. It can be present at birth (usually hypothyroidism) and it can develop as you age (often after menopause in women).
Thyroid disease is very common, with a woman being about five to eight times more likely to be diagnosed with thyroid disease than a man.
How do thyroid problems affect women?
Your menstrual problems. Your thyroid helps regulate your menstrual cycle. Too much or too little thyroid hormone can make your periods very light, heavy, or irregular. Thyroid disease can also cause your periods to stop for a few months or longer, a condition called amenorrhea. If your body's immune system causes thyroid disease, other glands, including your ovaries, may be involved. It can lead to early menopause (before the age of 40).
Problems getting pregnant. When thyroid disease affects the menstrual cycle, it also affects ovulation. This can make it difficult for you to get pregnant.
Problems during pregnancy. Thyroid problems during pregnancy can cause health problems for both mother and baby.
Sometimes, symptoms of thyroid problems are mistaken for menopause symptoms. Thyroid disease, especially hypothyroidism, is more likely to develop after menopause.
The two main types of thyroid disease are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Both conditions can be caused by other diseases that affect the functioning of the thyroid gland.
What is hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism
is when your thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormone. This is also
called an underactive thyroid. It slows down many functions in your body, such
as your metabolism.
The
most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States is Hashimoto's
disease. In people with Hashimoto's disease, the immune system mistakenly
attacks the thyroid. This attack damages the thyroid so that it cannot produce
enough hormones.
Conditions
that can cause hypothyroidism include:
Thyroiditis:
This
condition is inflammation (swelling) of the thyroid gland. Thyroiditis can
reduce the amount of hormones your thyroid produces.
Hashimoto's
thyroiditis:
A
painless disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition in which
the body's cells attack and damage the thyroid. It is an inherited condition.
Postpartum
thyroiditis:
This
condition occurs after childbirth in 5% to 9% of women. This is usually a
temporary condition.
Iodine
deficiency:
Iodine is used to make thyroid hormones.
Iodine deficiency is a problem that affects millions of people around the
world.
What are the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism?
Symptoms of hypothyroidism develop slowly, often over several years. At first, you may feel tired and lethargic. Later, you may develop other signs and symptoms of a slow metabolism, including:
# Feeling cool when other people don't
# constipation
# Muscle weakness
# Weight gain, even though you are not eating much food
# Joint or muscle pain
# Feeling sad or depressed
#Feels very tired
# Pale, dry skin
#Dry, thin hair
# Slow heartbeat
# Sweat less than normal
#A swollen face
# A hoarse voice
# Bleeding more than usual during menstruation
How is hypothyroidism treated?
Hypothyroidism is treated with medications that give your body the thyroid hormones it needs to function normally. The most common medication is the man-made form of the hormone your thyroid makes. You will likely need to take thyroid hormone pills for the rest of your life. When you take the pills as prescribed by your doctor, the pills are very safe.
What is hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, causes your thyroid to produce more thyroid hormone than your body needs. It speeds up many of your body's functions, such as your metabolism and heart rate.
The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves' disease. Graves' disease is a problem with the immune system.
What are the signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism?
At first, you may not notice signs or symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Symptoms usually start slowly. But, over time, rapid metabolism can cause symptoms such as:
# Weight loss, even if you eat the same or more food (most but not all people lose weight)
# Eating more than usual
# Fast or irregular heartbeat or pounding of your heart
# Feeling nervous or anxious
# Feeling irritable
# Sleep problems
# Trembling in your hands and fingers
# Increased sweating
# Feeling hot when other people don't
# Muscle weakness
# Diarrhea or passing more stool than usual
# Less than normal and lighter periods
# Changes in your eyes which may include eye swelling, redness or irritation
Hyperthyroidism increases your risk of osteoporosis, a condition that causes weak bones to break easily. In fact, hyperthyroidism can affect your bones before you have other symptoms of the condition. This is especially true for women who have gone through menopause or who are already at high risk for osteoporosis.
Conditions that can cause hyperthyroidism include:
Thyroiditis: This disorder can be either painful or not felt at all. In thyroiditis, the thyroid releases hormones that have been stored there. This can last for weeks or months.
Excess Iodine:
When your body has too much iodine (a mineral used to make thyroid hormones), the thyroid produces more thyroid hormones than it needs. Too much iodine is found in some medications (amiodarone, a heart drug) and cough syrups.
How is hyperthyroidism treated?
Your doctor's choice of treatment will depend on your symptoms and the cause of your hyperthyroidism. Treatment includes:
Medicine.
Antithyroid drugs prevent your thyroid from making new thyroid hormones. These drugs do not cause long-term damage to the thyroid.
Beta-blockers block the effects of thyroid hormones in your body. These medications can be helpful in slowing your heart rate and treating other symptoms until another form of treatment can be effective. Beta-blockers do not reduce the amount of thyroid hormone that is made.
Radioiodine:
This treatment kills the thyroid cells that make thyroid hormones. Often, this leads to permanent hypothyroidism.
Surgery:
Thyroid surgery removes most or all of the thyroid. This can lead to permanent hypothyroidism.
What is thyroiditis?
Thyroiditis is inflammation of
the thyroid gland. It occurs when the body's immune system produces antibodies
that attack the thyroid.
Causes of thyroiditis include:
Autoimmune diseases, such as
diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis
genetics
Viral or bacterial infection
Certain types of medication
Two common types of thyroiditis
are Hashimoto's disease and postpartum thyroiditis.
What is postpartum thyroiditis?
Postpartum thyroiditis, or inflammation of the thyroid after giving birth, affects 10% of women. It often goes undiagnosed because the symptoms are very similar to the "baby blues" that can occur after childbirth. Women with postpartum thyroiditis may feel very tired and moody.
Postpartum thyroiditis usually occurs in two stages, although not everyone with the condition goes through both stages:
The first stage begins 1 to 4 months after giving
birth and usually lasts 1 to 2 months. At this stage, you may have signs and
symptoms of hyperthyroidism because the damaged thyroid releases thyroid
hormones into the bloodstream.
The second phase begins about 4 to 8 months after
delivery and lasts 6 to 12 months. At this stage, you may have signs and
symptoms of hypothyroidism because the thyroid has lost most of its hormones or
the immune system is exhausted and the thyroid may recover later.
What is a goiter?
A goitre is an abnormally enlarged thyroid gland. It may only occur for a short period of time and may go away on its own without treatment. Or it could be a symptom of another thyroid disorder that needs treatment. Goitre is more common in women than men and especially in women before menopause
Some common causes of goiter include:
#Hashimoto's disease
# grave disease
#Thyroid nodules
#Thyroiditis
# Thyroid cancer
Usually, the only symptom of goitre is swelling in your neck. It may be large enough that you can see it or feel the lump with your hand. A very large goitre may cause a tight feeling in your throat, cough, or trouble swallowing or breathing.
Your doctor will check to see if it's caused by
another thyroid disease.
What are thyroid nodules?
A thyroid nodule is a swelling in a part of the thyroid gland. Nodules may be solid or fluid or blood-filled. You may have just one thyroid nodule or many.
Thyroid nodules are common and affect four times
more women than men.
What is thyroid cancer?
Thyroid cancer occurs when cancer cells develop from
thyroid gland tissue.
Most people with thyroid cancer have a thyroid nodule that causes no symptoms. If you have symptoms, you may have a lump or swelling in your neck. Lumps may be difficult to swallow. Some get a hoarse voice.
To tell if a lump or nodule is cancerous, your doctor
will order certain tests. Most thyroid nodules are not cancerous.
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