Table of Contents
What is Thyroid Disease?
- Thyroid disease is a medical condition that prevents the thyroid gland from producing the appropriate amount of hormones as required by the body.
- Thyroid disease is a state of body that where thyroid gland is from making the right amount of hormones.
- It is a condition where the formation of hormones by the thyroid gland is disturbed.
- Some of the several types of thyroid disease include:
- Goiter: enlargement of the thyroid gland.
- Hyperthyroidism: When your thyroid gland produces more thyroid hormones than your body requires, this condition is known as hyperthyroidism.
- Hypothyroidism: When your thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones, you have hypothyroidism.
- Thyroid cancer
- Lumps in the thyroid gland and thyroid nodules
- Thyroid enlargement, or thyroiditis
What is Thyroid?
- Thyroid is an endocrine gland that is situated near the base of the neck, directly below the Adam’s apple.
- Thyroid gland is small and butterfly shaped.
- The thyroid gland primarily produces the hormones thyroxine (T-4) and triiodothyronine (T-3).
- Every cell in the body is influenced by these hormones.
- They support on how rapidly the body breaks down fats and carbohydrates.
- They aid in regulating body temperature and assist in regulating the body’s production of protein.
Causes of Thyroid Disease
- Iodine deficiency
- When the thyroid is attacked by autoimmune illnesses, either hyperthyroidism (caused by Graves’ disease) or hypothyroidism (induced by Hashimoto’s disease) might occur
- Nodules or non-cancerous lumps
- Virus or bacteria that cause inflammation (which may or may not cause discomfort).
- Malignant growths
- Several medical practices, including radiation therapy, thyroid surgery, and some medicines.
- Genetic disorder
- Sometimes, during pregnancy, thyroid problems might develop or worsen. In the absence of treatment, this may result in problems for the mother as well as the child, including miscarriage, early birth, hypertension, and postpartum bleeding.
Symptoms
- Tiredness
- Being sensitive to cold
- Weight gain
- Constipation
- Depression
- Slow movements and thoughts
- Muscle aches and weakness
- Muscle cramps
- Dry and scaly skin
- Brittle hair and nails
- Loss of libido (sex drive)
- Irregular periods or heavy periods
- Pain, numbness, and tingling in the fingers and hand (carpal tunnel syndrome)
If untreated, further symptoms can include:
- Hoarse and low voice
- Sluggish face
- Thinning or partially absent brows
- Slow heartbeat
- Loss of hearing
- Anemia
Risk Factors
- Family history of thyroid disease.
- Medical condition (including Sjögren’s syndrome, Turner syndrome, Type 1 diabetes, primary adrenal insufficiency, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis).
- Medication with a lot of iodine (amiodarone).
- Age over 60 years, especially in women.
- Treatment for a previous cancer or thyroid disease (thyroidectomy or radiation).
- Smoking, since tobacco includes chemicals that have an adverse effect on the thyroid gland, producing inflammation and interfering with iodine absorption as well as thyroid hormone production.
- Psychological stress, such as going through a divorce or mourning a friend or family member.
- Injury or trauma in thyroid
Diagnosis of Thyroid Disease
- The only reliable approach to determine whether there is an issue is through a blood test that measures your hormone levels.
- Thyroxine (T4) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels in the blood are measured during a thyroid function test.
- A thyroid that is underactive may be indicated by high TSH and low T4 levels in the blood.
- There may be a risk of having an underactive thyroid in the future if test results show elevated TSH but normal T4.
- Blood tests are occasionally used for additional measurements, such as determining the concentration of the hormone triiodothyronine (T3). This, however, is not normally delivered.
- A thyroid antibody test may, though less frequently, be advised following a thyroid function test to rule out autoimmune thyroid condition.
Effects of Thyroid Disease
Thyroid disease affects different organs and systems of the body. Some of the major effects of thyroid disease on body systems and overall health are:
On liver:
- Increased LDL
- Increased cholesterol
- Elevated triglycerides
On reproductive system:
- Decreased fertility
- Menstrual abnormalities
- Affects the development of infant
On brain:
- Chances of depression
- Decreased concentration
- General lack of interest
On heart
- Low cardiac output
- Increased/Decreased blood pressure
- Decreased heart rate
On intestines
- Constipation
- Decreased Gastrointestinal activity
On kidneys
- Decreased function of kidneys
- Fluid retention and edema
Complications of Thyroid Disease
Complications resulting from hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
- Eye problems like droopy eyes, double or blurry vision, or even vision loss
- Heart problems, such as a rapid heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, or heart failure, may typically be treated.
- Broken bones (osteoporosis)
- Thyrotoxic crisis, which is a worsening of symptoms that causes fever, a rapid heartbeat, and delirium, is characterized by red, swollen skin, especially on the shins and feet. This condition necessitates immediate medical intervention.
Complications resulting from hypothyroidism
- Goitre, or enlarged thyroid, which can impede breathing and swallowing, excessive cholesterol and related heart disease, and nerve damage that results in tingling, numbness, and discomfort in the legs, arms, or other afflicted areas.
- Birth deformities, miscarriage, or early birth, as well as mental health conditions including depression,
- Lethargy, sleepiness, and extreme cold intolerance leading myxedema, a rare but potentially fatal illness. Myxedema necessitates immediate medical care.
Prevention and Control
- The greatest model for preventing thyroid disease is getting enough iodine in your diet to prevent iodine shortage, which is the most curable cause of mental retardation.
- Tobacco usage and alcohol consumption are believed to be more significant to have some impact on thyroid size and function. Thus, it is best to avoid tobacco and alcohol to prevent thyroid disease
- To keep healthy and fit, it’s important to engage in regular physical activity. Maintain a nutritious diet and don’t forget to take your medications.
- Additionally, regular preventative health examinations can aid in monitoring our body’s vitamin levels and general wellness.
Treatment
Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) is treated by taking hormone replacement tablets known as levothyroxine.
