Hyperthyroidism

The thyroid gland does not require extra attention or maintenance most of the time. But when it acts up, you will notice a change in your health marked by relevant symptoms. Although these may be vague enough to avoid your physician's diagnosis for a time, with the right blood test and a careful medical examination, you can soon find out if you have hypothyroidism.

One of the first reasons to suspect that your thyroid may be acting up is if you feel extra sluggish or worn out. Some people report they get so tired and listless, that it becomes increasingly difficult to get out of bed most days. They can barely drag across the floor to get to the bathroom, and a flight of stairs seems to ask the impossible. Of course, if you get to this point, you need to see a doctor pronto, as your thyroid may be in serious trouble. But be sure to ask your doctor to evaluate any type of unexplained fatigue.

Another symptom is dry skin and hair. You may find that your hair seems thin or brittle, and it could lose its sheen. Your skin may become rough and flaky, no matter how much you try to moisturize it. Like hair, skin can lose its natural vibrancy, tone, and color, especially around the joints like your elbows. Your mouth may feel drier than usual, as well.

Internal organs may not work properly and show signs of problems. For example, you could develop frequent or recurrent constipation. Your periods (if you are a female) could start coming irregularly and may not have the same type of monthly flow that you are used to. Your heart or breathing may not seem to work as efficiently as before. This observation fits with the fatigue mentioned above.

Since many of these symptoms are fairly generic, you will need to see your doctor to get an examination and accurate diagnosis. Your doctor may order blood tests to check the level of your thyroid's function. You might even be asked to take a radioactive pill or receive an injection that will let a technician check your thyroid's activity level the next day or so. Be sure to follow directions and keep pets or children away for a day or two afterward until the radioactive matter passes from your body.

If the doctor makes a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, you will probably be given a prescription medication to supplement the work your thyroid is supposed to do. Most of the time this condition is permanent, and it could be serious or even fatal if you don't take the medication.

That is why it is important to check with your doctor about any problems you may be having so you can get a speedy and correct diagnosis and treatment. If you have the opposite kind of symptoms, such as a racing heart rate, oily skin, and diarrhea, you could have hyperthyroidism or another condition. Always let your doctor know if you experience a significant change in bodily behavior.

By granola

Labels: graves disease, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroid, hypothyroidism, iodine, thyroid, thyroid disease, thyroiditis, thyroxine, underactive thyroid

This disease affects the thyroid gland, which happens to grow in size due to lack or excess of some key ingredients. The thyroid gland resides at the front of the throat, below the larynx also known as the Adam's apple. The thyroid gland plays a very important function in our system. It makes thyroid hormones called thyroxine (T4) and triodothyronine (T3), which spreads in the body through the bloodstream. Thyroxin helps to keep your body functions in proper condition.

Some of the signs and symptoms which would help you detect goiter are the enlargement of the throat which can differ in size from a lump to a huge mass of flesh. You will face problems while swallowing your food due to enlargement as well as breathing problems. As the enlarged tissue presses on to the windpipe and esophagus it becomes difficult to breathe and swallow.

Some of the very common causes for goiter are:

*Insufficiency of iodine in your diet
*Consuming foods which negate the iodine factor of your diet also creates pathways for goiter
*Intake of drugs such as lithium and phenylbutazone is also a one of the cause is also a one of the cause
*The effects of thyroid cancer
*Growth of nodules on the thyroid gland
*Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)
*Hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid gland)

There are two types of goiter which can be classified as Endemic Goiter and Sporadic Goiter.

Endemic Goiter- It can said that this type of goiter is similar to an epidemic where in not an individual is affected but the whole area or community residing in a specific place gets affected. The lack of iodine is the major cause and in far-fetched places it becomes even more difficult to provide the proper care.

Sporadic Goiter- Here an individual is affected and the reasons could be as common as family history, lack of iodine in diet, and women succumb to goiter more than men.

Some of the treatment options you can try for the patients are

*Intake of iodine-rich diet
*By using drugs as mentioned by your doctor, you would see a change in your health
* Removal of the nodules present in the system either by medication or surgery

By kevinp

Labels: goiter, graves disease, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroid, hypothyroidism, iodine, thyroid, thyroid disease, thyroiditis, thyroxine, underactive thyroid

Welcome to Hyperthyroidism blog...

Labels: graves disease, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroid, hypothyroidism, iodine, thyroid, thyroid disease, thyroiditis, thyroxine, underactive thyroid