Common Thyroid Disorders And Their Symptoms
Do you notice sudden changes in weight or muscle tension or does your fatigue make you depressed every day?
If you notice any of these sudden changes in your body, you should consult with your doctor, as these symptoms could indicate a thyroid disorder.
The butterfly-shaped thyroid gland is located at the base of your neck, just below Adam’s apple. This gland produces an important hormone called thyroid hormone [TH] that regulates your metabolism.
However, this gland can sometimes go crazy. Any disorder of the thyroid gland can cause various thyroid disorders, such as hypothyroidism, goiter, or thyroid cancer. However, the symptoms of thyroid disorders can often go unnoticed.
Therefore, it is essential to understand common thyroid disorders and their symptoms to start treatment promptly.
Common thyroid disorders and their symptoms.
Hypothyroidism
In hypothyroidism, the thyroid does not create or release enough thyroid hormones into the bloodstream. Hypothyroidism is called an underactive thyroid because it can slow down your metabolism.
This condition can start at any age. However, it usually affects people over 60 years of age. Also, this condition affects women more often than men.
The signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism may depend on the severity of the hormonal deficit. Problems tend to develop slowly and it can take several years for symptoms to appear.
The first symptoms of hypothyroidism can include weight gain and fatigue. These symptoms become more recognizable with age, regardless of your thyroid health. However, you may not realize that these changes are related to your thyroid, as symptoms may not appear instantly. You can develop more obvious symptoms when your metabolism continues to slow down.
Common symptoms of hypothyroidism can include:
Fatigue: As your body’s metabolism slows down with hypothyroidism, you may experience fatigue.
Weight gain: When your thyroid produces fewer hormones, your metabolism slows down. You won’t burn calories quickly and you can put on weight.
Dry skin: Carotenemia is a condition that can occur in people with hypothyroidism. It can dry out the skin.
Muscle weakness: Muscle aches and weakness are common in people with hypothyroidism. You may experience muscle weakness, especially in the shoulders and hips.
High blood pressure levels: Hypothyroidism can weaken the heart muscles or heart rate. This can cause muscle walls to stiffen and increase blood pressure.
If you discover any of these symptoms of hypothyroidism, you should see your doctor. The diagnosis can be confirmed with a routine blood test.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is an overactive thyroid that occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much thyroxine hormone. This condition can arise due to overproduction of the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
It is also caused by Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disease that causes the secretion of thyroid-stimulating antibodies, which can lead to an overproduction of hormones.
High amounts of T3, T4 can cause an excessively high metabolic rate. This is called a hypermetabolic state in which you may experience a rapid heart rate or high blood pressure.
You may experience other symptoms, including:
- Insomnia: Hyperthyroidism overstimulates your nervous system, which can prevent you from sleeping well.
- Emotional extremes — Anxiety or mood swings can occur due to an overactive thyroid.
- Muscle weakness: When you have an overactive thyroid, you may experience muscle stiffness or pain.
- Frequent bowel movements: An overactive thyroid can upset the gastrointestinal tract and lead to frequent bowel movements.
If you experience unexplained weight loss, rapid heartbeat, or other symptoms, see your doctor immediately, as hyperthyroidism may be the cause.
Goiter
Goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland in your neck. It is one of the most common thyroid disorders in humans. Simple goiters form when your thyroid gland doesn’t make enough hormones to meet your body’s needs. Furthermore, goiter is also due to a lack of iodine in the diet. These are endemic goiters.
Goiter symptoms can begin with swelling at the front base of the neck. You may notice that small bumps or multiple nodules form on one or both sides of your neck.
Other common symptoms of goiter can include:
The feeling of tightness in the throat area.
Dizziness when raising the arms.
Wheezing due to compression of the trachea.
Difficulty swallowing due to compression of the feeding tube.
However, if a goiter with hyperthyroidism occurs, you may notice symptoms of sweating, diarrhea, high blood pressure, weight loss, or muscle weakness. If this happens with hypothyroidism, you may notice signs of weight gain, dry skin, constipation, or irregular periods.
A goiter may not need treatment, especially if it is small and your thyroid hormone levels are normal. But if your thyroid hormone levels go up and down, you may need treatment. Treatment usually involves medications to bring the thyroid hormones back to normal.
Thyroid cancer
Thyroid cancer is a common thyroid disorder that usually occurs in the 25 to 65 age group. This condition is common in people who are exposed to radiation to the head or neck area.
Thyroid cancer grows in the cells of the thyroid. Thyroid cancer is caused by genetic changes in cells. These genetic changes or mutations allow cells to grow and multiply rapidly.
Furthermore, cells also lose the ability to die. As a result, the abnormal thyroid cells that accumulate can form tumors. These cells can damage all of the surrounding tissue and spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.
At first, thyroid cancer may not cause any symptoms. However, it can cause your neck to swell once it is enlarged.
As it grows, it can lead to symptoms such as:
- A lump that can be felt through the skin.
- Changes in your voice, including increased hoarseness.
- Neck and throat pain
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
In its early stages, thyroid cancer may not cause any symptoms. To confirm this, you will need a routine exam or imaging test that is used to diagnose other conditions.
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