Difference Between Hypo And Hyperthyroidism

What is Hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism is a condition wherein the thyroid gland manufactures excess levels of the hormone T4, thyroxine. The condition pledge significantly speed up the metabolism in your body, causing a fast or irregular heartbeat, abrupt weight loss, sweating, and irritability or nervousness.

Several treatment choices are available if you have hyperthyroidism. Physicians use radioactive iodine and anti - thyroid medications to decelerate the making of thyroid hormones. At times, the blueprint of hyperthyroidism involves surgical procedures to remove a portion of your thyroid gland. Once the condition is diagnosed, the formation process will be easy.

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism can show up like other health problems. It may be hard for your doctor to diagnose the disease because of the resemblance of symptoms to other disorders.

Hyperthyroidism symptoms may include the following:
  • Increased sensitivity to heat
  • Palpitations
  • Food consumption may accession due to bodily needs
  • More plain or unsimilar changes in bowel movements
  • Nervousness
  • Increased Appetite
  • Tremors
  • Changes in menstrual patterns
  • Anxiety
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle weakness
  • Irritability
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Sweating
  • Tachycardia
  • Irregular heart beat
  • An enlarged thyroid Gland
  • Sudden weight Loss
The thyroid is a butterfly - shaped gland that is situated at the pedestal of your neck, just beneath the Adam ' s apple in men. Despite the small size of the thyroid gland, it plays a big role in your overall health. The thyroid hormones produced by the gland facilitates metabolism in the body.


To review, the thyroid gland produces two chief hormones: thyroxine ( T4 ) and Triiodothyronine ( T3 ) - that works on every cell in your body. These hormones maintain and regulate the pace at which your body uses fats and carbohydrates. It also controls your body temperature, regulates your heart rate and maintains the consumption of protein. The gland also produces calcitonin, the hormone culpable for the transfer of calcium to the bones.

Risk factors In Hyperthyroidism

Risk factors whereas hyperthyroidism include the following: previous viral infections, post ripening state, middle aged group ( 30 to 40 years old ), internal history of hyperthyroidism, gender (women with higher percentage of risk compared to manliness ), ethnic background ( people of Japanese ancestry are shown to have higher risk of acquiring the disease).

Those who are also used to a salt - water fish diet and those living approaching coastal areas are also prone to having hyperthyroidism. Excess intake of iodine may also play a role in the event of the disease.

What is Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is also known as under active thyroid. It means that the glands are not producing enough hormones needed to maintain the normal metabolic rate. Women who are at the age of 50 and above are at higher bet of acquiring the disease. The symptoms may begin as mild at first, but cede cause bigger changes at a later time. Hypothyroidism may involve a couple of problems like heart disease, joint pains, obesity, and infertility. Early diagnosis is thus necessary to disdain further complications.

Various function tests are available to target the disorder. The diagnostic procedures used in Hypothyroidism are generally safe, effective and simple.

Hypothyroidism Symptoms

The symptoms of hypothyroidism vary greatly. At first, you will not really feel the difference in your body, but as the thyroid disorder progresses you will feel discomfort on your body.

Here are some of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism: sluggish movements, untroublesome fatigability, sensitive to cold environment, formidable blood cholesterol level, constipation, pallid skin, puffy face, hoarse voice, muscle weakness, muscles aches, dry skin, heavy menstrual periods, depression, brittle hair and fingernails and unexplained progressive weight gain.

Although the disorder mainly affects women of older age, it can affect to anyone. They may display different symptoms from the ones experienced by adults. Some teens show manifestations such as yellowish discoloration of the skin and choking. Teens may exhibit delayed development during their juvenescence senility as well.

Hypothyroidism Causes

The main cause of hypothyroidism is lack of levels of hormones released by the thyroid gland.

This manifestation may be a result of the following:
  • autoimmune disorders such as Hashimoto thyroiditis radiation therapy from cancer patients
  • treatment for hyperthyroidism which can result in permanent hypothyroid condition
  • medications like the ones used in treating psychiatric disorders
  • removal of the thyroid gland that results in lasting hypothyroidism
  • congenital disease in rare cases
  • pregnancy ( abnormality in hormones )
  • pituitary disorders that may result in the hyposecretion of hormones

Risk Factors

Anyone can acquire hypothyroidism. However, it is most regular in women ages 50 years and above. You could besides be at higher bet of acquiring the disease if you have a close relative who has the common disorder. If you are treated with anti-thyroid medication or if you have been treated with radiation therapies, you can also be a victim for hypothyroidism.

Complications of Hypothyroidism

A number of other health problems may result as a squeeze of hypothyroidism. This includes the following: heart problems, goiter, myxedema coma, birth defects, mental health issues, and infertility.

To avoid having these complications, you need to be diagnosed with the disease as early as possible. The doctor also has to control the right amount of medication to prevent the adverse effects of the drugs.

(Source: http://www.understandingthethyroid.com/thyroidtypes.html)

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