Some Information About THYROID Gland and the Problem of Thyroid Gland :


     

10 Signs You Have a Thyroid Problem and 10 Ways to Improve It

 

                   The thyroid is the gland that is responsible for the way your body metabolizes food. This gland is shaped like a butterfly and it is located in the middle of your neck. The health of your thyroid, or how healthy it is functioning, is directly related to every other system in your body. In other words, if your thyroid isn’t working properly, your entire body will be impacted.
              Signs You Have an Hypoactive Thyroid

               The thyroid can either be hyperactive or hypoactive. The majority of people who suffer from issues with their thyroid experience hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid and signs of this condition are as follows:
  1. You are excessively tired, despite getting a full 8 or more hours of sleep a night.
  2. You are gaining weight or you can’t lose weight.
  3. You have unexplainable mood swings.
  4. You have severe hormone imbalances.
  5. You experience irregular periods
  6. You are infertile.
  7. Your skin is excessively dry and it is cracking.
  8. Your hair is falling out.
  9. You have pain in your muscles, joints or tendons.
  10. You have swelling in the neck.
                How is Hypothyroidism Identified and Diagnosed?

               If you are suffering from any of the aforementioned symptoms, it is highly recommended that you see an endocrinologist. Since the thyroid is a major component of the endocrine system, this medical professional will be able to determine if, in fact, you do suffer from hypothyroidism.
                 In order to diagnose an issue with an underactive thyroid, your doctor will first feel your neck, as the gland can be felt through the neck. If your doctor determines that your thyroid does, in fact, feel larger than it should, he will order tests to further assess its condition. Generally, the following lab tests will be ordered to gain a closer look at the function of your thyroid:
  • Free T4
  • Free T3
  • TSH
  • Reverse T3
  • Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies
  • Thyroidglobulin Antibodies
  •  
              Correcting an Underactive Thyroid

                 If the lab tests indicate that your thyroid is functioning below normal, the following things can help to improve its function:
  • Take a multivitamin that contains iodine, zinc, selenium, iron and vitamin D and B vitamins.
  • Tyrosine and iodine supplement
  • Change to a gluten-free diet.
  • Find effective ways to cope with stress.
  • Get at least 8 hours of sleep a night.
  • Monitor how many cruciferous vegetables you consume.
  • Remove bromide, chlorine and fluoride from your diet.
  • Have any amalgam fillings removed from your teeth.
  • Improve your digestive tract.

         What Are Thyroid Problems?

Through the hormones it produces, the thyroid gland influences almost all of the metabolic processes in your body. Thyroid disorders can range from a small, harmlessgoiter (enlarged gland) that needs no treatment to life-threatening cancer. The most common thyroid problemsinvolve abnormal production of thyroid hormones. Too much thyroid hormone results in a condition known as hyperthyroidism. Insufficient hormone production leads tohypothyroidism.

Although the effects can be unpleasant or uncomfortable, most thyroid problems can be managed well if properly diagnosed and treated.

What Causes Thyroid Problems?


All types of hyperthyroidism are due to an overproduction of thyroid hormones, but the condition can occur in several ways:
·                                 Graves' disease: The production of too much thyroid hormone.
·                                 Toxic adenomas: Nodules develop in the thyroid gland and begin to secrete thyroid hormones, upsetting the body's chemical balance; some goiters may contain several of these nodules.
·                                 Subacute thyroiditis: Inflammation of the thyroid that causes the gland to "leak" excess hormones, resulting in temporary hyperthyroidism that generally lasts a few weeks but may persist for months.
·                                 Pituitary gland malfunctions or cancerous growths in the thyroid gland: Although rare, hyperthyroidism can also develop from these causes.
Hypothyroidism, by contrast, stems from an underproduction of thyroid hormones. Since your body's energy production requires certain amounts of thyroid hormones, a drop in hormone production leads to lower energy levels. Causes of hypothyroidism include:
·                                 Hashimoto's thyroiditis: In this autoimmune disorder, the body attacks thyroid tissue. The tissue eventually dies and stops producing hormones.
·                                 Removal of the thyroid gland: The thyroid may have been surgically removed or chemically destroyed.
·                                 Exposure to excessive amounts of iodide: Cold and sinusmedicines, the heart medicine amiodarone, or certain contrast dyes given before some X-rays may expose you to too much iodine.You may be at greater risk for developing hypothyroidism if you have had thyroid problems in the past.
·                                 Lithium: This drug has also been implicated as a cause of hypothyroidism.
Untreated for long periods of time, hypothyroidism can bring on a myxedema coma, a rare but potentially fatal condition that requires immediate hormone treatment.

      Hypothyroidism poses a special danger to newborns and infants. A lack of thyroid hormones in the system at an early age can lead to the development of cretinism (mental retardation) and dwarfism(stunted growth). Most infants now have their thyroid levels checked routinely soon after birth. If they are hypothyroid, treatment begins immediately. In infants, as in adults, hypothyroidism can be due to these causes:
·                                 A pituitary disorder
·                                 A defective thyroid
·                                 Lack of the gland entirely
A hypothyroid infant is unusually inactive and quiet, has a poor appetite, and sleeps for excessively long periods of time.
Cancer of the thyroid gland is quite rare and occurs in about 5% ofthyroid nodules. You might have one or more thyroid nodules for several years before they are determined to be cancerous. People who have received radiation treatment to the head and neck earlier in life, possibly as a remedy for acne, tend to have a higher-than-normal risk of developing thyroid cancer.
        
WebMD Medical Reference
View Article Sources Sources
Reviewed by Melinda Ratini, DO, MS on March 23, 2015

     Summary

The thyroid gland regulates many metabolic processes, including growth and energy use. Common problems include overactivity (hyperthyroidism) and underactivity (hypothyroidism) of the thyroid gland. Common causes of thyroid disorders are Hashimoto's disease and Graves' disease. An enlargement of the thyroid gland is called a 'goitre'.
Some of the more common hormonal disorders are associated with the thyroid gland, which is part of the endocrine system. This system is a collection of glands that secrete chemicals called hormones directly into the bloodstream. Together with the nervous system and the immune system, the endocrine system helps the body to cope with different events and stresses.

The thyroid gland is situated at the front of the throat, below the larynx (Adam’s apple), and comprises two lobes that lie on either side of the windpipe. The thyroid gland secretes hormones to regulate many metabolic processes, including growth and energy expenditure. If the thyroid gland is overactive or sluggish, the metabolism will be affected, leading to a variety of symptoms that are easily misdiagnosed. Around one in 20 people will experience some form of thyroid dysfunction in their lifetime. Women are more susceptible than men.

Iodine for hormone production


The thyroid gland produces two primary hormones - thyroxine (also referred to as T4) and tri-iodothyronine (also referred to as T3). The numbers 3 and 4 refer to the number of atoms of iodine in the hormones. Iodine is essential for the production of thyroid hormones and humans need about 150 mcg (millionths of a gram) each day. Iodine is found in most foods, especially seafood. The soils in Tasmania and along the Great Dividing Range are low in iodine, so the food from these areas can contain insufficient iodine. Iodised salt is the best way to supplement dietary iodine, but taking too much iodine can also be a problem.

Of the two hormones produced, T3 is more active than T4, but is produced in much smaller quantities. T4 has a lesser effect, but most is converted to T3 by enzymes that remove one iodine atom. The greater the amount of T3 and T4 circulating in the blood, the faster the metabolism. Lower amounts of T3 and T4 result in a reduced metabolism.


The pituitary gland


The thyroid gland is controlled by the pituitary, which is considered the ‘master gland’ of the endocrine system. The pituitary is located at the base of the brain. Its principal function is to monitor and regulate the activity of the other glands. The pituitary affects the thyroid gland by producing a hormone called thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which prompts the thyroid to release more T4 and T3. If there is too much T4 circulating in the blood, the pituitary reduces the amount of TSH produced, which then causes thyroid activity to slow. If there is too little T4, the pituitary increases the amount of TSH. In this way, T4 and T3 levels in the blood are kept relatively constant. The pituitary gland, in turn, is overseen by a part of the brain called the hypothalamus.


Goitre


An enlargement of the thyroid gland is called a ‘goitre’. A shortage of iodine in the diet is a common cause of goitre, especially in areas where the soil has little iodine. If a person’s diet is too low in iodine, the pituitary keeps sending chemical messages to the thyroid, but without effect. In attempting to make more thyroid hormone, the gland gets larger and larger. This is also common with underactive thyroids, as the pituitary attempts to speed them up. Overactive thyroids can also produce goitres because their overactivity is often due to overstimulation. Goitres indicate a problem with the thyroid or iodine intake.


Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)


An overactive thyroid releases too much T4 and T3 into the bloodstream, causing the metabolism to speed up too much. The most common cause is Graves’ disease. This is an autoimmune condition in which antibodies behave like TSH and stimulate the thyroid uncontrollably. Complications of untreated hyperthyroidism include liver damage and heart failure, which can lead to death. Symptoms of an overactive thyroid include:
·                  Rapid pulse
·                  Tremor (shaking) of the hands
·                  Sweating and sensitivity to heat
·                  Weight loss (despite an increased appetite)
·                  Nervousness, agitation and anxiety
·                  Fatigue
·                  Diarrhoea
·                  Bulging eyes
·                  Goitre.


Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)


An underactive thyroid releases too little T4 and T3 into the bloodstream, causing the metabolism to slow down too much. The most common cause is Hashimoto’s disease. This is an autoimmune condition in which white blood cells and antibodies attack the thyroid gland. If not treated, the metabolism will continue to slow and will ultimately (in 10 to 15 years) lead to death. Symptoms include:
·                  Lethargy and fatigue
·                  Feeling cold (even on warm days)
·                  Unusual weight gain
·                  Depression
·                  Reduced concentration (brain fog)
·                  Puffiness of the face
·                  Hair loss
·                  Dry skin
·                  Constipation
·                  Goitre.

When these symptoms increase, the condition may be called myxoedema.

Congenital hypothyroidism must be urgently treated to avoid serious brain damage. All newborn babies are now screened for this condition.


Other thyroid gland disorders


Other disorders of the thyroid gland include:

·                  Nodules - lumps in the thyroid. Some are groups of uncontrollably overactive thyroid cells. These are called ‘hot’ nodules and cause hyperthyroidism. Other nodules are ‘cold’. These are generally harmless, but about 20 per cent will be cancerous.
·                  Cancer - thyroid cancer is uncommon and is readily treatable, especially if detected early.

Treatment for thyroid gland disorders


Problems with thyroid hormone levels can be diagnosed with a simple blood test. The presence of antibodies in the blood will confirm Graves’ or Hashimoto’s disease. Underactivity is treated by taking thyroxine tablets - a form of hormone replacement. Overactivity is treated with drugs that slow the activity of the thyroid gland. If these do not work, part or all of the thyroid can be removed surgically, or some or all of the active thyroid cells can be killed with radioactive iodine.

Nodules and cancers are diagnosed with a variety of different tests, including ultrasound, special x-rays and fine needle biopsies. Hot nodules will generally be removed surgically or destroyed with radioactive iodine. Cold nodules are frequently left alone and simply kept under observation. Cancer is treated by surgically removing the thyroid gland, followed by treatment with radioactive iodine to destroy any cells which may have spread.

Taking iodine supplements can be dangerous for patients with Graves’ disease or hot nodules.



·                  The thyroid gland regulates many metabolic processes, including growth and energy expenditure.
·                  Around one in 20 people will experience some form of thyroid dysfunction in their lifetime.
·                  Common problems include overactivity and underactivity of the thyroid gland.
·                  Most thyroid conditions are caused by autoimmunity. These conditions have a genetic link. People with a family history of thyroid conditions have a higher risk of also having a thyroid condition and other autoimmune conditions.

You might also be interested in:

·                  Congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
·                  Goitre.
·                  Hormonal (endocrine) system.
·                  Iodine.
·                  Sleep apnoea.
·                  Thyroid - hyperthyroidism.
·                  Thyroid - hypothyroidism.
·                  Thyroid - Hashimoto's disease.
·                  Thyroid cancer.






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