10 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Thyroid Disease Topic Guide

Hyperthyroidism refers to a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. Causes of hyperthyroidism include: Graves' disease, thyroid adenoma, thyroid goiter, subacute thyroiditis, and drug-induce hyperthyroidism. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include irritability, heart palpitations, heat intolerance, weight loss or gain, frequent bowel movements, lower leg edema, infertility, fatigue, and more. Treatment for hyperthyroidism depends on the cause and can include medications or surgery.

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. Causes of hypothyroidism include: Hashimotot's thyroiditis, subacute thyroiditis, previous thyroid therapy, drug-induced, Pituitary or hypothalamic disease, and iron deficiency. Some common symptoms of hypothyroidism are: fatigue, constipation, weight gain, poor appetite, dry and rough skin, coarse hair, hair loss, edema, depression, and elevated cholesterol levels. Treatment of hypothyroidism is generally with medication.

There are several diseases of the thyroid gland. Signs and symptoms of thyroid disease depend upon the actual thyroid disease. Examples of hypothyroidism include depression, menstrual changes, thinning of the hair, constipation, and bloating. Examples of symptoms of hyperthyroidism include tremor, increased sweating, weight loss, and heat intolerance. In thyroid cancer, the most common symptom is a lump or nodule in the thyroid gland.

The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine (hormone) system. The thyroid gland produces two hormones, thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3). Diseases of the thyroid gland include: hyperthyroidism, subacute thyroiditis, thyroid cancer, and thyroid nodules. Thyroid medications are used to treat thyroid disorders.

Diseases of the thyroid gland can lead to hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroid nodules, thyroid goiters, or thyroid cancer. Symptoms of both hypo- and hyperthyroidism-related conditions include constipation, fatigue, weight gain, cold or heat intolerance, to coma. Treatment depends upon the thyroid condition.

Thyroid storm is caused by too much thyroid hormone in the body. Thyroid storm is a medical emergency. Precipitating factors for thyroid storm include infections, thyroid surgery, stopping thyroid medications, pregnancy, heart attack, and cardiac emergencies. Symptoms of thyroid storm include palpitations, increased body temperature, chest pain, anxiety, weakness, disorientation, and heart failure. Thyroid storm is a medical emergency, and anyone experiencing symptoms of thyroid storm should proceed to an emergency department promptly.

My aunt was recently diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. I had never heard of this thyroid condition before my aunt received her diagnosis. She doesn’t seem worried, but I am. What does Hashimoto’s disease do to you? What are the symptoms and signs?

Primary hyperparathyroidism is a disorder that occurs when one or more of the parathyroid glands becomes overactive and secretes excess parathyroid hormone, causing high blood calcium levels (hypercalcemia). In secondary hyperparathyroidism, the parathyroid glands function normally, and are secreting extra hormones in response to low blood calcium levels in the body, caused by other health conditions such as kidney failure.