What is hypothyroidism

Share on Pinterest Getty Images/Halfdark Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck just below the center of your throat. It’s part of an intricate network of glands called the endocrine system. Your endocrine system is responsible for coordinating many of your body’s activities. Your thyroid gland manufactures hormones that regulate your body’s Several different problems can arise when your thyroid produces too much hormone (hyperthyroidism) or not enough (hypothyroidism). When your thyroid is underproducing or overproducing, it can cause bothersome symptoms such as irritability, fatigue, weight loss, weight gain, and more. Four common issues associated with the In Hyperthyroidism affects between Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, affecting about Hyperthyroidism can also be caused by: • thyroid gland inflammation • too much iodine intake • taking too much thyroid hormone medication • overactive thyroid nodules, also known as toxic nodular goiter or multinodular goiter • noncancerous pituitary gland tumor Hyperthyroidism symptoms Excessive thyroid hormone production may lead to symptoms that can include: • • • racing heart rate • • • shaking • • • • brittle • • • increased appetite • frequent bowel movements • Hyperthyroidism diagnosis and treatment A doctor or healthcare professional can diagnose hyperthyroidism by running tests that measure your levels of thyroid hormone or how effectively your thyroid is wo...

What Is Hypothyroidism? An underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, occurs when the thyroid gland creates less than the normal amount of thyroid hormone. The result is the “slowing down” of many bodily functions. Hypothyroidism usually is a permanent condition that can be treated. Of the nearly 30 million people estimated to be suffering from thyroid dysfunction, most have hypothyroidism. What Causes Hypothyroidism? • Autoimmune thyroiditis: The body’s immune system may produce a reaction in the thyroid gland that results in hypothyroidism and, most often, a goiter (enlargement of the thyroid). Other autoimmune diseases may be associated with this disorder, and additional family members may also be affected. • Central or pituitary hypothyroidism: Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is produced by the pituitary gland, which is located behind the nose at the base of the brain. Any destructive disease of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus, which sits just above the pituitary gland, may cause damage to the cells that secrete TSH, which stimulates the thyroid to produce normal amounts of thyroid hormone. This is a very rare cause of hypothyroidism. • Congenital hypothyroidism: An infant may be born with an inadequate amount of thyroid tissue or an enzyme defect that does not allow normal thyroid hormone production. If this condition is not treated promptly, physical stunting and/or intellectual impairment may develop. • Medications: Lithium, high doses of iodine and amiodarone — ...

Myxedema is another term for severely advanced hypothyroidism. It’s a condition that occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. The thyroid is a small gland that sits right at the front of your neck. It releases hormones that help your body regulate energy and control a wide variety of functions. Myxedema is the result of having undiagnosed or untreated severe hypothyroidism. The term “myxedema” can mean severely • swelling of your face, which can include your lips, eyelids, and tongue • swelling and thickening of skin anywhere on your body, especially in your lower legs Severely advanced hypothyroidism can lead to what’s called a myxedema crisis, which is a medical emergency. While the term “myxedema coma” is used to describe this life-threatening situation, “myxedema crisis” has replaced it, as a comatose state is no longer required to diagnose the condition. Read on to learn more. Myxedema crisis occurs when your body can no longer tolerate the changes caused by severe hypothyroidism, so it decompensates. This is a life-threatening state that requires immediate medical attention. Along with the signs and symptoms of severe hypothyroidism, symptoms of myxedema crisis can include: • decreased breathing (respiratory depression) • lower than normal blood sodium levels • • confusion or mental slowness • shock • low blood oxygen levels • high blood carbon dioxide levels • • Myxedema crisis can cause death often due to complications from infection, bleeding,...