Thyroid Disorders

Thyroid disorders are far more common than they seem. While many people may not be aware that they even need to be concerned about their thyroid health, the fact of the matter is that thyroid problems plague millions of people throughout the country and account for a variety of metabolic issue. Since the function of the thyroid is to secrete and regulate hormones that affect nearly every metabolic process in the body, an issue with this gland can have significant and wide-ranging effects if not properly diagnosed and treated.

While thyroid disorders can cause a wide range of issues, there are four basic problems that are commonly the root causes:

Hyperthyroidism - This condition is when the thyroid becomes overactive and produces more hormones than the body needs, which can lead to fatigue and heart problems. It is also a sign of Grave's Disease, an autoimmune condition in which antibodies stimulate secretion of excess hormones that may result in a toxic goiter (inflammation of the thyroid and larynx that causes adverse health conditions).
Hypothyroidism - The opposite of hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism is the under production of thyroid hormones and may be a result of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune condition in which the body tries to destroy the thyroid. It is often the result of an iodine deficiency and may result in the removal of the thyroid in extreme cases of thyroid disorders.
Postpartum Thyroiditis - This condition is when the thyroid becomes inflamed after giving birth, which results in a spell of hyperthyroidism followed by hypothyroidism before hormone levels and function of the thyroid return to normal. It is also vital for newborns to undergo thyroid testing soon after birth to ensure that they are not suffering from thyroid disorders as they can cause serious problems and developmental delays in infants.
Thyroid nodules - These benign masses grow on what could be considered to be a healthy thyroid and appear to cause no problems; however, they must be monitored as they often have the potential to grow and cause thyroid inflammation that may lead to thyroid disorders.

Oftentimes, thyroid disorders are hereditary, which means you should already know whether or not you are at risk for developing these conditions and know which symptoms of thyroid problems you should be watching out for. However, your doctor may want you to undergo regular thyroid testing to ensure this important gland is functioning healthily in order to prevent any more serious conditions from developing.