Download YOUR THYROID AND WHY IT MATTERS

YOUR THYROID AND WHY
IT MATTERS
Your thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located in the middle of your
lower neck, just over the windpipe. Its job is controlling the body’s metabolism—the
basic processes that turn food and water into energy so we can function and live our
lives.
In order to control metabolism, the thyroid gland produces hormones that are secreted
into the blood, which then carries the hormones throughout your body. Those hormones
help the body use energy, stay warm, and keep the brain, heart, muscles and other
organs working like they should.
The growth and development of all your body tissues are dependent on your thyroid
working properly. If your thyroid is overactive or underactive, that can create health
problems called thyroid disorders like hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
What is hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism occurs when your thyroid overproduces a hormone called thyroxine.
When that happens, it causes your metabolism to speed up which creates symptoms like
weight loss, sweating, anxiety, and tremors.
What causes hyperthyroidism?
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Graves’ disease: This is the most common cause (in more than 70% of people)
of hyperthyroidism. A person suffers from this condition when antibodies in the
blood stimulate the Thyroid gland to grow and secrete excessive thyroid hormones.
This kind of a disorder is usually hereditary and surprisingly, more often than not,
young women tend to be its victims.
Thyroid nodules: Another cause of hyperthyroidism is also the presence of one
or more lumps—called nodules—in the thyroid gland. These gradually grow and
become overactive, releasing excessive thyroid hormones into the bloodstream.
Thyroiditis: Thyroiditis, or inflammation of the thyroid, is usually caused by a
problem with the immune system or a viral infection or by the intake of excessive
Thyroid hormone in the tablet forms. This disorder can be both painful and
painless; the painless variety occurs most frequently in women after childbirth.
What is hypothyroidism?
In contrast to hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism refers to an underactive thyroid that
doesn’t produce enough of those hormones that regulate metabolism.
What causes hypothyroidism?
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Autoimmune diseases: Sometimes, the immune system mistakes the thyroid gland
cells and their enzymes as invaders and attacks them. That causes a shortage of
thyroid cells and enzymes left to produce thyroid hormone. This condition is
known as Autoimmune thyroiditis. This is more common in women than men and
may begin suddenly or develop slowly over many years.
Surgical removal: If part or all of your thyroid gland is removed for a certain
reason—nodules, cancer, or Graves’ disease—chances are that you may begin
to suffer from hypothyroidism. If you’ve had your whole thyroid removed, the
surgery will result hypothyroidism. If only a part of the gland is removed, thyroid
levels may still remain within normal limits, provided the un-removed glands
function as they should.
Radiation treatment: Sometimes, radioactive iodine is used to destroy the thyroid
gland in people with a thyroid disorder or certain cancers of the head and neck.
This usually results in loss of part or all of the thyroid function.
Inherited disease: Hypothyroidism can also be passed on to an unborn child in
the womb. Some babies are born without the thyroid gland or with only a partly
formed one. Occasionally, some infants will be born with part or all of their thyroid
in the wrong place (Ectopic Thyroid). For others, the thyroid cells or their enzymes
do not function properly.
Inflammation of the thyroid: Thyroiditis (an inflammation of the thyroid gland
usually caused by an autoimmune attack or by a viral infection) makes the
thyroid gland release all its stored supply of thyroid hormone into the blood at
one time. This causes a temporary period of hyperthyroidism, later followed by
hypothyroidism.
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Certain medicines: Some drugs can trigger hypothyroidism and prevent the thyroid
gland from being able to produce the hormones. This is especially true in the case
of patients who have a genetic tendency towards autoimmune thyroid disease.
Too much or too little iodine: Iodine is essential to produce thyroid hormone, but
too much or too little can cause or worsen hypothyroidism.
Damaged pituitary gland: When your pituitary gland is damaged because of
disease or surgery, it may no longer be able to regulate the production and release
of thyroid hormones.
Rare disorders: Some diseases cause deposits of abnormal substances in the thyroid
gland, impairing its ability to function. For example, Sarcoidosis may deposit
granulomas or small areas of inflammation and hemochromatosis can cause iron
deposits.
Information provided is for general background purposes and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment by
a trained professional. You should always consult your physician about any healthcare questions you may have, especially before
trying a new medication, diet, fitness program, or approach to healthcare issues.