Many people develop thyroid problems at some point in their
lives. For example, a person can have an under active thyroid,
overactive
thyroid or experience abnormal growth or lumps.
The thyroid
produces a hormone that regulates metabolism and effects areas
of the body such as skin, hair, nails, muscles, the digestive
system and emotions. Thyroid hormone production is controlled
by the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland sends
different levels of TSH (thyroid
stimulating hormone) to the thyroid gland depending on whether the body
needs more or less of the thyroid hormone.
There are three common types of thyroid problems: hypothyroidism,
hyperthyroidism, and a goiter. Hypothyroidism occurs when not
enough thyroid hormones are produced, which can take place if
the pituitary gland malfunctions, the thyroid gland is removed
or if there is a lack of iodine.
The next common thyroid problem is hyperthyroidism, when too
many thyroid hormones are produced. One cause of an overactive
thyroid is when a nodule on the gland produces more thyroid hormones
than the gland. But, the most common cause is Graves’ disease;
this disease causes the immune system to attack the thyroid causing
overproduction of thyroid hormones. |
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Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Mild depression
- Slowed thinking
- Constipation
- Feeling cold
- Weight gain
- Dry and brittle nails, hair and skin
- Longer and heavier menstruation
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Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism
- Shaking
- Nervousness
- Jitters
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Hair loss
- Weight loss
- Feeling hot
- Rapid, irregular heartbeat
- Frequent bowel movements...cont.
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism
- Feeling hot
- Rapid, irregular heartbeat
- Frequent bowel movements
- Lighter and shorter menstruation
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A goiter is also a common thyroid problem. A goiter
occurs when the thyroid gland becomes enlarged. Occasionally the
goiter is externally visible. A goiter can be caused by hypothyroidism,
hyperthyroidism or multiple nodules (lumps of tissue that are usually
benign and do not effect the thyroid gland).
To prescribe a treatment for your condition, the doctor will ask
questions about your medical history, perform a physical exam and
draw blood. Medical questioning will allow the doctors to rule out
possibilities and see if thyroid problems run in your family. During
the physical exam, the doctor will likely examine your neck for thyroid
enlargement, check your weight, pulse, blood pressure, eyes and skin.
A blood test will show thyroid hormone levels and THS levels that
are present in your blood.
Further tests may be given to confirm or pinpoint your specific
thyroid problem. One test your doctor may recommend is a radioactive
iodine uptake test, in which you ingest a small amount of radioactive
iodine, and then pictures are taken to measure the amount of iodine
your thyroid gland retains. Another type of examination involves
taking a thyroid scan and an ultrasound scan. Both allow the doctor
to evaluate nodules. The final test your doctor may suggest is a
fine needle aspiration biopsy in which a few cells are collected
from a nodule through a needle. This test shows whether or not the
nodule is cancerous.
For each type of thyroid problem, the doctor will suggest a form
of treatment. To treat hypothyroidism your doctor will suggest a
thyroid hormone pill to increase the level of thyroid hormones in
the body and to alleviate symptoms. The treatment for hyperthyroidism
is an antithyroid medication, to reduce the amount of thyroid hormones
in your body, and it helps to alleviate symptoms. If the medication
does not work, you have two options: destroy all or part of the thyroid
gland with a high dose of radioactive iodine or surgically remove
all or part of the gland (thyroidectomy). To prevent a nodule from
becoming bigger, you might be put on thyroid hormone medication.
However if the hormone medication is not effective, thyroidectomy
will be necessary to control the nodule growth or to abolish of cancerous
cells. |
