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Find Out ALL About Thyroid Dysfunction and Its Underlying Causes
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The primary function of the thyroid gland is to regulate the body’s metabolism, which is the process of breaking down food and converting it into energy. The gland accomplishes this by releasing T3 and T4 hormones into the bloodstream.
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Iodine is an essential component of our diet that is utilized by the thyroid in the production of these hormones. As a result, iodine is crucial and its deficiency leads to thyroid dysfunction.
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Thyroid dysfunction is a result of the abnormal production of thyroid hormones. The thyroid may produce excessive hormones, which is a condition known as hyperthyroidism.
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An under-active thyroid, on the other hand, fails to deliver enough hormones in a condition known as hypothyroidism.
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Thyroid Dysfunction and Its Underlying Causes: #1 Hyperthyroidism
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Hyperthyroidism is caused by several diseases and conditions affecting the thyroid gland. An overproduction of hormones by the thyroid gland causes symptoms that include fatigue, weight loss, muscle weakness, sweating excessively, trouble sleeping, protruding eyes and restlessness.
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The number one cause of hyperthyroidism is Grave’s disease, which is a disorder of the immune system that leads to the overproduction of thyroid hormones.
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Grave’s disease is more common among women, and some of its common symptoms include nervousness, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, bulging eyes, heart palpitations, weight loss, difficulty sleeping and excessive sweating. Once diagnosed, Grave’s disease can be managed through medications to control the production of thyroid hormones.
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Hyperthyroidism can also be caused by the development of nodules appearing as a visible enlargement of the thyroid gland, known as a goiter. In this case, the nodules produce hormones in excess of what the body needs, resulting in hyperthyroidism.
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Similarly, inflammation of the thyroid gland leads to a condition known as subacute thyroiditis. If left untreated, the inflammation causes the thyroid to leak hormones into the bloodstream, hence causing hyperthyroidism.
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Complications arising from thyroid cancer and its treatment have also been known to cause hyperthyroidism.
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Thyroid Dysfunction and Its Underlying Causes: #2 Hypothyroidism
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Hypothyroidism primarily slows down the body’s metabolism. It is detected through symptoms that include fatigue, weight gain, slow heart rate, general weakness, dry skin and extreme sensitivity to cold.
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The leading cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s disease, which occurs when the body’s immune system mistakes the thyroid gland for a foreign body and attacks it. In effect, the gland’s ability to produce hormones is affected, which results in hypothyroidism.
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One of the most common complications of Hashimoto’s disease is an enlarged thyroid gland, forming a goiter. Although painless, goiter is a sure indication of thyroid dysfunction.
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Sometimes a goiter may only be a sign of lack of sufficient iodine in the body. When it is just a case of lack of enough iodine, including iodine in the diet causes the swelling to subside, and the thyroid gland goes back to functioning normally.
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There is no cure for Hashimoto’s disease, but patients receive treatment to help manage it including hormones to replace the deficiency caused by the underactive thyroid.
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Another cause of hypothyroidism is the surgical removal of the thyroid gland. Patients with thyroid cancer may sometimes have their thyroid removed during surgery or destroyed during radiotherapy treatment. As a result, the production of thyroid hormones is altered, leading to hypothyroidism.
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Thyroid Dysfunction and Its Underlying Causes: #3 Thyroid Dysfunction Treatment
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Hyperthyroidism is treated using medications that control the production of hormones by the thyroid gland.
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In contrast, treatment for hypothyroidism involves hormone therapy to replace those that should be produced by the thyroid. Besides drugs, your doctor can sometimes opt for surgery to treat the anomalies in your thyroid gland.
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The conditions that lead to both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism such as Grave’s disease and Hashimoto’s disease cannot be prevented.
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The most important thing in dealing with thyroid dysfunction is to seek treatment promptly so that your physician can put you on the appropriate treatment regimen.
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Treating thyroid dysfunction is often a long process that requires working closely with your physician. You should ensure that you always take the right precautions and follow your treatment closely. The good news is that it is possible to manage thyroid dysfunction and lead a normal life.
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