The thyroid is one of the largest among the endocrine glands and, with its butterfly-shape, it is located in the front portion of the neck and right below the thyroid cartilage (the Adam’s apple in men). Being part of the endocrine system, the thyroid produces the thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3) as well as the calcitonin hormones which are then released directly into the bloodstream to regulate the body’s metabolic rate which determines how rapidly the body burns energy, gauges the speed at which organs functions, controls the production of proteins and influenced the body’s reactions to other hormones.
Classifications of Thyroid Disorders
When the thyroid gland malfunctions for any reasons, it leads to any number of thyroid disorders and the most common among them are the abnormal production of hormones which are categorizes as either hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
Hyperthyroidism can take on several different forms to include:
1. Graves’ disease — Over production of thyroid hormones.
2. Pituitary gland malfunctions — The thyroid gland is controlled by the pituitary gland and its malfunction may lead to overproduction of thyroid hormones.
3. Cancerous growths in the tissues of the thyroid gland.
4. Subacute thyroiditis — Inflammation and swelling of the thyroid causes it to temporarily produce excess hormones.
5. Toxic adenomas — Nodules which develop on the thyroid gland begin producing thyroid hormones and upset the body’s chemical balance.
Hypothyroidism can also take on several different forms and those include:
1. Excessive iodide — Certain drugs (cold and sinus medicines and heart medications) as well as contrast dyes which are administered prior to X-ray procedures may expose patients to excessive iodine. Such instances may lead to reduced production of thyroid hormones.
2. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis — This is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks its own thyroid tissues and thus they result in reduced production of thyroid hormones.
3. Lithium — This drug has been blamed for the slowing of the thyroid hormone production.
4. Removal of the thyroid gland — In cases where the thyroid gland has been removed or its functions have been severed, there is no natural production of thyroid hormones.
Modern medicine has come to appreciate just how dangerous hypothyroidism is to newborns and infants as it can lead to mental retardation (cretinism), hindered growth (dwarfism), myxedema coma as well as death in extreme cases. Therefore, many hospitals check thyroid levels of newborns as part of their routine and, if necessary, begin treatment right away.
Other thyroid disorders include goiter (an outwardly prominent protrusion of the thyroid gland) and cancer of the thyroid.
Symptoms of Thyroid Disorders
The symptoms of thyroid disorders vary from one condition or form to another. In hyperthyroidism, symptoms include weakness of the muscles and fatigue; tremor of the hands; rapid heartbeat; weight loss; diarrhea or frequent bowel movements; irritability, agitation and anxiety; low tolerance to heat and excessive sweating; and irregularity of menstrual cycles and infertility.
Not surprisingly, the symptoms of hypothyroidism are almost the exact opposite from those in hyperthyroidism and they may include depression; sluggishness; feeling cold; weight gain, dryness of hair and skin; and constipation,
Treatments for Thyroid Disorders
As unpleasant as they are, thyroid disorders are quite treatable. Hyperthyroidism is usually treated with antithyroid drugs, beta-blockers, radioactive iodine and, in the most severe of cases, with surgery.
Hypothyroidism is treated by artificially replacing the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4) which the thyroid gland is failing to produce.
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