07/01/2024
THYROID
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck that produces hormones that regulate many body functions. These hormones affect how the body uses energy, including metabolism, heart rate, breathing, digestion, and mood. The thyroid also plays a role in growth and development.
The thyroid produces two main hormones, thyroxine (T-4) and triiodothyronine (T-3), which affect every cell in the body. Thyroid disorders can occur when the thyroid produces too much or too little hormone, which can lead to different symptoms:
Hypothyroidism-
known as an underactive thyroid, this condition can cause fatigue, dry skin and hair, increased sensitivity to cold, memory problems, constipation, depression, weight gain, and more.
Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, can be caused by a number of conditions and problems, including:
Autoimmune disorders
The most common cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto's disease, in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. This can lead to inflammation and eventually destroy the gland, reducing its ability to produce hormones.
Thyroid surgery
Removing part or all of the thyroid gland can prevent it from producing hormones.
Radiation therapy
Radiation used to treat head and neck cancers, lymphoma, or leukemia can affect the thyroid gland and stop it from producing hormones.
Thyroiditis
Inflammation of the thyroid gland can damage its cells. This can be caused by viral infections, such as the common cold, or other respiratory infections.
Iodine deficiency
The thyroid gland needs iodine to produce hormones, which the body doesn't make on its own. If someone doesn't get enough iodine in their diet, they won't be able to produce enough thyroid hormone.
Medications
Some medicines can lead to hypothyroidism.
Pituitary disease
In rare cases, a problem with the pituitary gland can cause secondary hypothyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism-
This condition can cause anxiety, jitteriness, and weakness, as well as a racing heart and difficulty breathing.
Other thyroid issues include goiter, thyroid cancer, and thyroid nodules. Some thyroid issues are autoimmune, meaning the body's immune system attacks the thyroid gland.
Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, which speeds up the metabolism. There are many potential causes of hyperthyroidism, including:
Graves' disease
An autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack the thyroid gland, which then produces too much thyroid hormone. This is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, especially in young to middle-aged women.
Toxic nodular goiter
A condition where one or more lumps in the thyroid gland become too active.
Thyroiditis
Inflammation of the thyroid gland that can be caused by viral infections, some medications, or after pregnancy.
Too much thyroid hormone
Taking too much thyroid hormone medicine can cause hyperthyroidism.
Too much iodine
Consuming too much iodine from certain foods, medicines, cough syrups, or seaweed and seaweed-based supplements can cause hyperthyroidism, especially if there's already a thyroid problem.
Noncancerous growths
Noncancerous growths of the thyroid or pituitary gland can cause hyperthyroidism.
Rare causes
Some tumors of the ovaries or te**es, or medical imaging tests with contrast dye that contains iodine can also cause hyperthyroidism, but these are very rare.