Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism
About the Thyroid
Your thyroid is a 2 inch long butterfly-shaped gland found just below your Adam’s apple and weighs less than an ounce.
The thyroid produces two main hormones called tri-iodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). These hormones travel in your blood to all parts of your body controling the rate of many activities in your body, including how fast you burn calories and how fast your heart beats. These activities together are known as your body’s metabolism.
A thyroid that is working right will produce the right amounts of hormones needed to keep your body’s metabolism working at a rate that is not too fast or too slow.
Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
An underactive thyroid is when not enough thyroid hormone is made.
The most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease, in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid and damages it so that it does not make enough hormones. Hypothyroidism also can be caused by:
- Treatment of Hyperthyroidism
- Radiation treatment of certain cancers
- Thyroid removal
- In rare cases, problems with the pituitary gland can cause the thyroid to be less active
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
Symptoms tend to develop slowly, often over several years. At first, you may just feel tired and sluggish. Later, you may develop other symptoms of a slowed down metabolism, including:
- Weight gain, even though you are not eating more food.
- Increased sensitivity to cold.
- Constipation.
- Muscle weakness.
- Joint or muscle pain.
- Depression.
- Fatigue – feeling very tired.
- Pale dry skin.
- A puffy face.
- Hair loss.
- A hoarse voice.
- Excessive menstrual bleeding.
- Reduced concentration (brain fog).
- Goiter (inflammation of the thyroid gland).
- May have high blood levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol, which can increase your risk for heart disease.
Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
An overactive thyroid is when too much thyroid hormone is made.
Some disorders cause the thyroid to make more thyroid hormones than the body needs. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease. Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder, in which the body’s own defense system, called the immune system, stimulates the thyroid, which causes it to make too much of the thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism can also be caused by thyroid nodules that prompt excess thyroid hormones to be made.
Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism
At first, you might not notice symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Symptoms usually begin slowly, but over time, a speeded up metabolism can cause symptoms such as:
- Weight loss, even if you eat the same or more food.
- Eating more than usual.
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat or pounding of your heart.
- Anxiety.
- Irritability.
- Nervousness.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Trembling in your hands and fingers.
- Increased sweating.
- Increased sensitivity to heat.
- Muscle weakness.
- More frequent bowel movements.
- Less frequent menstrual periods with lighter than normal menstrual flow.
- Fatigue.
- Diarrhea.
- Bulging eyes.
- Goiter.
Treatment of Hyperthyroidism
Treatment involves trying to reset your body’s metabolism to a normal rate.
Iodine
Iodine is essential for the production of thyroid hormones. We need about 150 mcg (millionths of a gram) every day.
You can meet the daily recommendations by eating seafood, plants grown in iodine-rich soil, and iodized salt. When buying salt make sure it is labeled “iodized.”
Note:
Taking too much iodine can cause problems.