Thyroid Gland, Causes & Symptoms of Thyroid Problems & Thyroid Disease

Symptoms of thyroid problems and thyroid gland disease causes are explained including underactive (low) and overactive thyroid.

Normal Thyroid Levels | Normal Medication |

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck and just below Adam's apple. It is made up of two lobes of plum size cut into half, the left and the right lobes. The two lobes are joined by a small bridge of isthmus tissue and lie on either side of the wind pipe .

The Thyroid Function

The function of thyroid gland is to control a wide range of the body’s metabolic processes. It produces hormones that control our metabolism, growth, fertility, body temperature, etc., so it's proper function is essential for our well-being.

Thyroid Hormones T3 & T4

The thyroid gland uses iodine from food and produce two thyroid hormones, T3 (Tri-iodothyronine, contains 3 iodine atoms) and T4 (thyroxine contains 4 iodine atoms). It produces primarily T4 with only very small amounts of T3. The majority of T3 present in the blood is produced by conversion of T4 to T3 primarily in the liver. The thyroid gland stores these thyroid hormones and releases them as they are needed.

These thyroid hormones determine how slow or how fast our organs work. Too much deviations from the optimal natural thyroid function may many times be the underlying cause of a number of serious conditions. Stress, trauma, infections, certain medications and temperature fluctuations change the amount of thyroid hormone required by the body. The pituitary gland (hypothalamus) in the brain ensures the normal levels of T3 and T4.

How Thyroid Gland Works

The thyroid gland works in conjunction with the pituitary gland which is at the base of the brain. The pituitary gland senses the level of thyroid hormones in the blood. When the normal thyroid levels drop, the pituitary gland produces a hormone TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) which activates the thyroid gland to secrete more T3 and T4 hormones.

When the thyroid hormone levels rise above normal, the pituitary senses this and stops secreting TSH so that the thyroid gland makes less hormones. This is how T3 and T4 hormones secreted by the thyroid gland is regulated so that just the right amounts are manufactured and delivered into the blood stream.

The Thyroid problems

The thyroid problems occur mainly when the thyroid gland becomes either underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism). However, the thyroid gland san have the following diseases:

1. Hypothyroidism
2. Hyperthyroidism
3. Hypothyroidism in pregnancy: After the delivery it is generally cured by itself.
4. Hyperthyroidism in pregnancy: After the delivery it is generally cured by itself.
5. Thyroid nodule or solid or fluid-filled lumps are found commonly as people age. Most of these thyroid nodules are benign and not cancerous.
6. Post-partum thyroid disease
7. Thyroid cancer

Symptoms of thyroid disease due to low thyroid or hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism : Thyroid Disease due to low thyroid or underactive thyroid

In Hypothyroidism, the thyroid system becomes underactive, due to which the thyroid gland makes too little thyroid hormone (Low T4) than the body needs. This is the most common type of thyroid dysfunction or thyroid disease.

The extent of hypothyroidism symptoms depend on age, duration of hypothyroidism and the seriousness of the condition. The symptoms of low thyroid may be so mild that they are not noticed for several years. The symptoms are noticeable if you are old.

The common underactive thyroid symptoms are as under:

Symptoms of Underactive Thyroid Disorder

1. Fatigue and weakness are the common symptoms of low underactive thyroid.
2. Low basal temperature and cold intolerance
3. Cold hands and feet
4. Dry skin, yellowish tint to the skin
5. Sleep difficulty
6. Constipation
7. Depression
8. Hair loss, thinning hair
9. Brittle nails
10. Weak memory, depression, difficulty in concentrating
11. Nervousness and tremors, slow body movements
12. Weakness, tired
13. Muscle weakness, muscle aches and stiffness
14. Stiffness or swelling in joints
15. High blood cholesterol
16. Immune system problems
17. Heavy or irregular menstrual periods lasting longer than 5 to 7 days
18. Weight gain
19. Less common symptom: swelling of arms, hands, legs, feet and face, puffiness of eyes, hoarse voice, enlarged thyroid (goiter)

Signs and symptoms of advanced hypothyroidism, known as myxedema, include low blood pressure, low body temperature, decreased breathing, unresponsiveness and even coma. It can be life threatening but it is rare.

Symptoms of thyroid disease due to too much thyroid or hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism : Thyroid Disease due to overactive thyroid

In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid system becomes overactive, due to which thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone (High T4). The common symptoms and signs of thyroid problems of hyperthyroidism are as under:

Symptoms of Overactive Thyroid Disorder

1. Palpitations, fast heart rate, breathlessness
2. Heat intolerance
3. Weight loss
4. Light or no menstrual periods
5. Fatigue and weakness
6. Muscle weakness, trembling hands, nervousness
7. Warm hands and feet
8. Insomnia
9. Heat intolerance

Causes of Hypothyroidism

1. Congenital: Present from birth.
2. Defects in the production of thyroid hormone: Hashimoto thyroiditis, goiter
3. Surgical removal of thyroid tissue.
4. Antithyroid antibodies

Causes of Hyperthyroidism

1. Grave's disease
2. Pituitary adenoma tumor of the pituitary gland
3. Thyroiditis, an inflammatory disorder of the thyroid gland
4. Toxic multi-nodular goiter
5. Some heart medication like amiodarone.

Causes of High TSH levels

1. An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
2. A pituitary gland tumor that is making too much TSH. This is uncommon.
3. Not taking enough thyroid hormone medicine for treatment of an underactive thyroid gland.

Causes of Low TSH levels

1. An overactive thyroid gland.
2. Damage to the pituitary gland.
3. Taking too much thyroid medicine for treatment of an underactive thyroid gland.
4. Pregnancy during the first trimester.

Thyroid cancer

The cancer of the thyroid gland is rare. Most lumps or nodules in the neck are non-cancerous. The thyroid cancer can also be treated with success by the modern treatments.