Thyroid Nodules
(Thyroid Nodule) 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.

Find out more about thyroid cancer's symptoms, signs, diagnosis, treatment, and risk factors. The main types of thyroid cancer include papillary thyroid cancer, follicular thyroid cancer, medullary carcinoma, and anaplastic thyroid cancer.

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.

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.

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.