Thyroid Disorders & Its Treatments

Thyroid Disorders

What Is A Thyroid Gland? ● ● ● ●

Thyroid is a small butterfly shaped gland present in the neck that makes thyroid hormones.

It is an endocrine gland that produces 2 types of hormones called Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3).

These hormones are mandatory for the normal function of all the cells in the body.

It controls the way of body organs uses energy, even the heartbeat.

Thyroid Disorders ● ● ● ● ●

Thyroid disorders are the different types of diseases that affects thyroid gland.

These disorders either affects its structure or function.

The thyroid gland is controlled by Pituitary gland and Hypothalamus, so that the disorders occurs in these two tissues will also affect thyroid function.

Thyroid disorders are very common in women.

Even it will affect men, youngsters, children, babies, etc.

Types Of Thyroid Disorders There are various kinds of thyroid disorders such as,

● ● ● ● ●

Hypothyroidism Hyperthyroidism Goiter Thyroid nodules Thyroid cancer

These diseases can cause the under and over function of the thyroid gland. Thyroid disorders may also leads to the abnormal expansion of thyroid gland in the neck.

Hypothyroidism ● ● ● ● ●

Hypothyroidism is also called Underactive thyroid.

Condition in which thyroid gland produces insufficient amount of thyroid hormone.

It occurs due to some problems in thyroid gland, pituitary gland, or hypothalamus.

Less production of thyroid hormone slows down the functions of cell and organs in the body.

Heart rate may become slower than normal, digestion process will slow down.

Other Symptoms ➔ ➔ ➔ ➔ ➔ ➔ ➔ ➔ ➔

Fatigue Constipation Dry skin Tiredness Feeling cold Weight gain Poor concentration Depression Excessive menstrual bleeding in women

Hyperthyroidism ● ● ● ●

Hyperthyroidism is also known as Overactive thyroid.

Condition in which thyroid gland produces excessive amount of thyroid hormone.

The symptoms are usually related to increased metabolism.

In some cases, no any symptoms will appear on the body.

Symptoms are, ➔ ➔ ➔ ➔ ➔ ➔ ➔

Fast heart beat Fatigue Nervousness Overheat Increased sweating Unexpected weight loss Less concentration

Goiter ● ● ● ● ● ●

Simply explains the enlargement of the thyroid gland.

Common cause of goiter is the lack of iodine.

It may also occurs due to the reason of hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or nodules develops on the gland.

Usually it is painless, but it cause cough, difficult in breathe or swallow.

The treatment depends on the size of goiter.

All goiters does not have symptoms.

Main symptoms are, ➔ ➔ ➔ ➔

Expansion of thyroid gland Coughing Difficult in breathing Difficult in swallowing

Thyroid Nodules ● ● ● ● ●

Lumps or unusual growths that arises on thyroid gland.

Majority of thyroid nodules are non-cancerous cysts or tumors.

Treatment needs only for larger or cancerous nodules that produces additional hormones.

Thyroid lumps are common in women than men.

Thyroid nodules does not have any symptoms.

Thyroid Cancer ● ● ● ●

Thyroid cancer is a very rare disease that affects thyroid gland.

If there is any lump on your neck, do check with doctor.

About 2 or 3 of people may affect with thyroid cancer.

Different types of thyroid cancers are there which depends on particular cell type.

Diagnosis Of Thyroid Disorders ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Various modern specialised test are there to diagnose thyroid disorders.

We can measure the level of thyroid hormones like T3, T4 and also TSH by blood test.

For checking thyroid nodules or any enlargements, doctors prescribe imaging test.

Most probably we are using ultrasound test for the diagnosis of thyroid disorders.

Ultrasound cannot determine a cyst is benign or malignant.

Thyroid scans which uses radioactive Iodine distinguish the function of thyroid nodule present on the gland.

Doctors also recommend Fine Needle Aspiration, Biopsy techniques to examine the type of cyst present in thyroid gland.

FNA uses a long, thin needle to take a part of cell from the gland.

Biopsy is a type of surgery that are used to withdraw a sample tissue from thyroid gland.

Thyroid Treatments ● ● ● ● ● ●

Thyroid disorders can be treated by medicines.

Some cases, few disorders need surgery.

For hypothyroidism, medicines are used to produce sufficient amount of thyroid hormone.

Medicines for hyperthyroidism is capable to reduce the overproduction of thyroid hormones.

Some medications are used to manage the symptoms related to the thyroid disorders.

Surgery is needed when there is goiter, enlarged nodule and thyroid cancer, etc.

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