What is a Thyroid Disorder?
Thyroid disorders affect how your thyroid gland functions. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck that releases hormones to regulate your metabolism.
There are two main categories of thyroid disorders:
- Hypothyroidism, where the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. This causes metabolism to slow down. Symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, feeling cold, and more.
- Hyperthyroidism, where the thyroid gland is overactive and produces too much hormone. This speeds up metabolism. Symptoms include unexplained weight loss, rapid heartbeat, tremors, etc.
What causes thyroid disorders?
Thyroid disorders can arise from different causes:
- Hashimoto's disease – an autoimmune disorder where antibodies attack the thyroid gland
- Inflammation of the thyroid gland
- Nodules or tumors developing in the thyroid
- Excess or deficiency of iodine in the diet
- Genetics
How are thyroid disorders diagnosed?
If symptoms suggest a possible thyroid disorder, doctors will typically run blood tests to check:
- Levels of thyroid hormones like triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4)
- TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) – High TSH indicates hypothyroidism, while low levels suggest hyperthyroidism
They may also use imaging tests like ultrasound or radioiodine scans to visualize the thyroid.
How are thyroid disorders treated?
Treatment depends on the type and cause of dysfunction:
- Hypothyroidism is treated with oral thyroid hormone replacement medications to restore hormone levels
- Hyperthyroidism is treated with medications, radioactive iodine, or surgery to prevent excess hormone production
Monitoring thyroid function through periodic blood tests helps ensure hormone levels are balanced. Treatment is often lifelong for chronic thyroid conditions.
Making appropriate lifestyle modifications can also help manage thyroid disorders:
- Eating foods rich in iodine and selenium
- Finding appropriate coping strategies for fatigue/other symptoms
- Staying active through gradual exercise
I hope this gives you a good overview of thyroid disorders! Let me know if you have any other questions.