Hypothyroid: Functions, Problems And Remedies

By Lovella Bybee


Thyroid is the gland which is butterfly in shape and can be found in the neck's front. This works just like a factory which used iodine from the food that we eat for the production of thyroid hormones. The latter helps in regulating the metabolism of the body and also effect other bodily processes and functions such as growth. This rate of the production of hormone is regulated by another gland which is located in our brain and known as the pituitary gland.

If the thyroid gland is not quite active in production of hormones, this can lead to the health problem called hypothyroidism. The major cause of this problem include postpartum thyroiditis when the gland swells after giving birth, autoimmune thyroiditis, acute thyroiditis and silent one. If the gland functions the opposite as it produces too much amount of hormone, it can also lead to health risk called hyperthyroidism. The major cause of this problem includes grave's disease, toxic multinodular goiter, and too much intake of iodine, toxic nodule and Hashitoxicosis.

When a person experiences hypothyroidism, they can expect to feel wide variety of signs and symptoms which depend on how severe the deficiency is. Some may feel foggy and mentally forgetful, or excessively cold and fatigue. Others may have dry skin and the menstrual bleeding is excessive and prolonged. Different symptoms are also felt by those who are suffering from hyperthyroidism and this may include excessive sweating and heat intolerance. Others may suffer from irregular and scant menstruation and weight loss. Those whose condition are mild and those aging 70 and above may not feet any sign at all as the sign will only show when the condition has worsen.

When the structure of the gland is not properly develop or suffering from abnormalities, a person may also experience thyroid problems. It can be a non-malignant cyst or a cancerous one which can either be anaplastic, papillary, follicular or medullary cancer. When the glands is enlarged, the condition is known as goiter and the sizes ranges from fairly noticeable to cosmetically unappealing which may need surgical removal. If a person suffers developmental abnormalities, the gland may also develop in an abnormal area.

When the thyroid problem is because of the defect in its structure, one will also experience different sets of signs and symptoms. This can include compression in the esophagus and trachea which makes it difficult to breathe and swallow. Increase in the size of the gland can even lead to bleeding and the person may feel local pain. If one is inflicted with cancer in this gland, he is also likely to experience the common systemic symptoms such as night sweats, lack of appetite and significant weight loss.

Depending on problems being experienced, there are different ways being used to address it. Medications may be used to reduce the hormone production while others inject synthetic hormone to supply the inadequacy. Surgical treatment is done on over enlarge gland as when it compresses the airways. For those who are no longer responding to medication, radioactive ablation is usually being performed. This is also done for those who have certain form of cancer in this gland.




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