Thyroid FAQs Topic Guide

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (also referred to as chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis) is a disease affecting the thyroid gland and thyroid hormone regulation. Symptoms of Hashimoto's disease include fatigue, feeling excessively cold, mental fogginess, constipation, dry skin, fluid retention, depression, heavy vaginal bleeding (menorrhagia), and stiff joints and muscles. Treatment for Hashimoto's disease is generally with medication.

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.

Thyroid medications treat diseases of the thyroid, including hyperthyroidism (such as Graves' disease), hypothyroidism, thyroid disorders in pregnancy, post-partum thyroid disease, thyroid cancer, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and thyroid nodules. Thyroid medications replace thyroid hormone levels [L-thyroxine (or LT4), L-triiodothyronine (T3)] or suppress growth of thyroid tissue [propylthiouracil (PTU), methimazole], or control symptoms such as beta-blockers and iodide solutions.

Thyroid nodules are lumps that are either solid or fluid-filled. Thyroid nodules may be benign or malignant (cancerous). Thyroid nodules may be caused by goiters, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, thyroid cysts, benign thyroid tumors, malignant thyroid tumors, or thyroid cancer. Treatment depends upon the type and cause of the thyroid nodule.

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.