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The Thyroid gland is a soft, small bow-shaped gland located in the front of the neck. Thyroid hormones influence what goes on in just about every organ in your body, telling them to slow down or speed up their function as needed, regulating how much oxygen you use, and helping you generate heat.
Thyroid dysfunction is usually caused by underactivity (hypothyroidism) or overactivity (hyperthyroidism).
Underactive thyroid is an autoimmune disease where your body’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Symptoms of underactive thyroid may include:
weight gain
fatigue
intolerance to cold
joint pain
constipation
painful periods
dry and coarse skin and hair
pallor
slow pulse
swelling of the neck (called goitre)
Another autoimmune condition, Grave’s disease, is responsible for 70% of cases of hyperthyroidism. It mostly affects women between the ages of 20 and 40 and is 10 times more common among women than men.
Excess thyroid hormone is produced, resulting in an overactive thyroid. It isn’t clear what triggers this autoimmune response, but it could be excess iodine.
Symptoms of overactive thyroid may include:
weight loss
heat intolerance
palpitations
racing pulse
breathlessness
anxiety
diarrhoea
tremor
muscle weakness
bulging eyes
goitre
People with underactive thyroid are treated with thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Once the TSH level is back in the normal range patients continue on their current dose.
In about 50% of cases, Graves’ disease resolves without any treatment. If it persists, you may be prescribed drugs to control the racing pulse and tremor. You may also be given a drug that interferes with the production of iodine. A 12 to 18-month course appears to offer the best chance of sustained recovery.
Surgery to remove the thyroid gland is sometimes performed if the thyroid is so enlarged it’s pressing on the windpipe, if drug treatment isn’t successful, or the patient is unwilling to take radioactive iodine, another form of treatment.
Should you have concerns always consult your healthcare professional.
