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Hypothyroidism / Hyperthyroidism
The thyroid gland in your neck is responsible for releasing thyroid hormones, which regulate how your body releases energy
- Hypothyroidism is where the thyroid gland is underactive and not producing enough hormone
- Hyperthyroidism is where the thyroid gland is overactive and producing too much hormone
Hypothyroidism
Essentially your body's functions slow down, you will have too little energy, will feel slow and tired. In addition the following symptoms can be present too:
- difficulty concentrating
- poor memory
- weight gain
- dry skin, hair, nails
- depression or anxiety
- constipation
- poor libido
- breathlessness
- swelling of feet
- hoarseness
- cold intolerance
- swollen face
- eye problems (including the commonly recognised condition of protruding eyes)
- heavy periods (in women)
Hyperthyroidism
As your thyroid gland produces too much hormone you will have too much energy, will lose weight, and may have palpitations. In addition the following symptoms can be present too:
- tremor
- excessive sweating
- heat intolerance
- anxiety
- muscle weakness
- goitre (swelling around the neck)
- eye problems (including the commonly recognised condition of protruding eyes)
- irregular periods (in women)
Diagnosis and treatment
Thyroid disease is much more commen in women than in men. It most commonly develops in adults but can occur at any
age and can affect anyone
Diagnosis is made by blood tests, and treatment in the first instance will be by medication (Thyroxine), with regular blood tests to help work out the best dose of Thyroxine. As the disease is usually* permanent alternative solutions to taking medicine are radioactive therapy, or surgical removal of part of the thyroid (*the disease sometimes reverses in children, or women who developed it during pregnancy)
Source: LSMP
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