Common Thyroid Disorders:

Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid) :

Deficiency of the thyroid hormone (THYROXINE) is called Hypothyroidism or Hypothyroid. The thyroid gland is underactive, there is inability of the Thyroid gland to produce adequate Thyroxine hormone. It can cause a number of symptoms, such as poor ability to tolerate cold, a feeling of tiredness, constipation, depression, and weight gain.

Hyperthyroidism:

Hyperthyroidism is the condition that occurs due to excessive production of thyroid hormone by the thyroid gland. In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland is overactive. It produces too much of its hormone. Signs and symptoms vary between people and may include irritability, muscle weakness, sleeping problems, a fast heartbeat, heat intolerance, diarrhea, enlargement of the thyroid, and weight loss.

Goiter:

Goiter is a noncancerous enlargement of the thyroid gland. The most common cause of goiter worldwide is iodine deficiency in the diet. Researchers estimate that goiter affects 200 million of the 800 million people who are iodine-deficient worldwide. Conversely, goiter is often caused by and a symptom of hyperthyroidism in the United States, where iodized salt provides plenty of iodine.

Graves’ Disease:

Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. This can cause the gland to overproduce the hormone responsible for regulating metabolism.

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis:

Hashimoto’s disease is also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. It’s the most common cause of hypothyroidism. The disease occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and slowly destroys the thyroid gland and its ability to produce hormones. Some people with mild cases of Hashimoto’s disease may have no obvious symptoms. The disease can remain stable for years, and symptoms are often subtle.

Thyroid Nodules:

Thyroid nodules are growths that form on or in the thyroid gland. The causes aren’t always known but can include iodine deficiency and Hashimoto’s disease. The nodules can be solid or fluid-filled. Most are benign, but they can also be cancerous in a small percentage of cases. Most thyroid nodules don’t cause any symptoms. However, if they grow large enough, they can cause swelling in the neck and lead to breathing and swallowing difficulties, pain, and goiter nodules produce thyroid hormone, causing abnormally high levels in the bloodstream.

Thyroid cancer:

Thyroid cancer is cancer that develops from the tissues of the thyroid gland.It is a disease in which cells grow abnormally and have the potential to spread to other parts of the body.Symptoms can include swelling or a lump in the neck.There are different kinds of thyroid cancer, depending upon the specific cell type within the thyroid that has become cancerous. Most cases of thyroid cancer have a good prognosis and high survival rates, especially when diagnosed in its early stages.

 

Investigations:

Thyroid function tests are measured by a blood test:

  1. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
  2. Free Thyroxine (Free T4 or FT4)
  3. Free Triiodothyronine (Free T3 or FT3)
Hormone Normal values
T3 (Triiodothyronine) 80-180 ng/dl
T4 (Thyroxine) 4.6-12 ug/dl
TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) 0.5-6 uU/ml
Thyroid Antibodies:
  1. Thyroglobulin antibodies
  2. Antibodies to Thyroid peroxidase (TPO)
  3. Thyroid stimulating hormone receptor antibodies (TRAbs)