Thyroid Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

What are the different kinds of thyroid problems?

The important disorders of the thyroid gland are discussed below:

1. Hypothyroidism symptoms and causes:

Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disorder where the thyroid gland produces inadequate quantity of thyroid hormones. Some common hypothyroidism symptoms in women and men are:

• Swelling in body due to fluid retention
• Intolerance to cold temperatures
• Constipation
• Depression
• Dryness of skin
• Inability to concentrate
• Menstrual irregularities
• Muscle and joint pains
• Tiredness or fatigue

Common hypothyroidism causes are:

• Inflammation of the thyroid gland (e.g. in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, postpartum thyroiditis and acute thyroiditis)
• Problems in the pituitary or hypothalamus glands
• Resistance to thyroid hormone

2. Hyperthyroidism symptoms and causes:

Hyperthyroidism is relatively less common than hypothyroidism, a condition with abnormally high production of thyroid hormone. Some common hyperthyroidism symptoms in women and men are:

• Anxiety and nervousness
• Excessive sweating
• Heat intolerance
• Inability to concentrate
• Loose motions or increased bowel activity
• Palpitations or increased heart rate
• Tiredness
• Tremors
• Weight loss

Common hyperthyroidism causes are:

• Excessive iodine intake
• Graves’ disease
• Nodules of thyroid gland
• Toxic goiter with nodules

3. Goiter:

An enlargement of the thyroid gland irrespective of the underlying cause is called a goiter. Not a disease in itself, goiter is an indication of an underlying problem such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, or an abnormality of the thyroid gland.

4. Thyroid nodules:

Nodules or abnormal lumps within the thyroid glands can be formed due to non-cancerous tumors or cysts, or sometimes due to cancers of the thyroid gland. These nodules vary from small to large and single to multiple. Extremely large nodules of the thyroid gland can even compress the adjacent structures like windpipe (trachea).

5. Thyroid cancer:

Thyroid cancers are more common among elderly women, than men. Thyroid cancers are generally treatable. Most of the patients survive if detected early.

What is the recommended thyroid diet?

There are no specific, known foods or dietary supplements that can help treat thyroid disorders. Eating healthy is always important, even when one has no disease. The key to staying healthy is to eat the right variety of foods in the right proportions. Do not take any supplements, before consulting your doctor or endocrinologist.

Some food elements like calcium in milk, soya etc. may interfere with absorption of thyroid medications. Hence, there should be a gap of at least four hours between the medicines and such food items.

Medications for thyroid disorders

Medications for hypothyroidism :

Your doctor or endocrinologist will prescribe medications in the form of oral pills, to make up for the lesser T4 and T3 hormones being produced by your own thyroid gland.

Medications for hyperthyroidism :

Your doctor will prescribe medications which prevent the release of T4 and T3 hormones from the thyroid gland or decrease their production. When hyperthyroidism cannot be managed with medications, your endocrinologist may suggest radioactive ablation, where radioactive iodine is used to destroy the excessively working thyroid tissues.

Surgery for removal of thyroid gland or thyroidectomy:

• Complete or partial removal of the thyroid gland may be required in following cases:
• A large goiter or a nodule within the gland that may be functioning excessively
• When there are high chances of developing thyroid cancer
• Thyroid surgeries are best performed in an advanced technology hospitals by well-experienced surgeons. Once the thyroid gland is completely removed, lifelong medications of thyroid hormones are required.

To know more about thyroid disorders and their treatment, you can request for a call back and our thyroid specialists will call you and answer all your queries.

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