Hormonal Disorders

The thyroid gland is a butterfly shaped gland located in the front of the neck. The thyroid gland produces several hormones that influence metabolism, growth, development and body temperature. Problems with the thyroid gland include too much (hyperthyroidism) or too little (hypothyroidism) thyroid hormone, inflammation of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis), thyroid nodules (lumps in the thyroid gland), or thyroid cancer.

Hyperthyroidism is caused due to overactive thyroid hormone. When the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone in blood, body’s metabolism increases. A person suffering from hyperthyroidism feels increased perspiration, heart palpitations, shakiness, weight loss, hair loss, feeling tired and weak. Hyperthyroidism can be diagnosed by blood test.

If left untreated, hyperthyroidism can cause serious problems with the heart, bones, muscles, menstrual cycle, and fertility. Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the antibodies in the blood stimulate the thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormone.

Hypothyroidism is caused due to underactive thyroid hormone. When the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone, the body’s metabolism is slowed down. Symptoms of hypothyroidism can include tiredness, feeling cold, weight gain, dry skin, constipation, and swelling of the face or ankles. Hypothyroidism can be diagnosed by blood test.

Causes of hypothyroidism include radioactive iodine treatment, surgical removal of the thyroid gland, radiation treatments of the head and neck and certain medications. Rarely, severe untreated hypothyroidism may lead to myxedema. Myxedema is the most severe form of hypothyroidism. A person with myxedema can lose consciousness or go into a coma.

Hypothyroidism can sometimes be temporary, but is often permanent and requires lifelong thyroid hormone replacement. The most common recommended treatment uses levothyroxine (T4), in the form of a daily pill, which is stable, long-acting, and effective. Other forms of thyroid hormone (combination T4 and T3) may also be used, but may be difficult to achieve a stable level of hormone in the blood.

Inflammation of the thyroid gland is known as thyroiditis. In some cases thyroiditis can result in a temporary rise in thyroid hormone whereas, in some cases, it can cause long-term damage of the thyroid gland which results in low thyroid hormone production. It is usually caused by an autoimmune attack (such as Hashimoto’s disease). It results in gradual damage to the thyroid gland and permanently low thyroid hormone levels. Thyroiditis is usually diagnosed with the help of blood test. Currently, there is no way of preventing the loss of thyroid function, so if the thyroid levels fall below normal, long-term thyroid hormone replacement is the only option for treatment.

Other forms of thyroiditis include “Painless” (Silent), “Post-partum” or “Painful” (Subacute), as well as other less common forms. Each of these conditions can result in a temporary increase in thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism), which can last several months. However, these episodes are usually self-limited and the thyroid function returns to normal. Sometimes, the gland is so damaged that it never returns to normal, resulting in permanent hypothyroidism, requiring lifelong thyroid hormone replacement.