Medical Thyroid Disorders
The thyroid gland is located in your neck above the collarbone. The thyroid is an endocrine gland that makes hormones that regulate the metabolism or speed of just about every organ in your body. Several different disorders can affect your thyroid.
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Hyperthyroidism
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Hyperthyroidism is a disorder where the thyroid gland produces too much hormone and speeds up your metabolism. Hyperthyroidism can lead to heart disease and osteoporosis if left untreated.
Symptoms
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Some symptoms of hyperthyroidism are weight loss, sweating, change in vision, impaired fertility and sleep disorders.
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Hypothyroidism
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Hypothyroidism is also called Hashimoto's disease. It is the most common of the two disorders of the thyroid. In this case, the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones and your body functions slow down.
Symptoms
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With hypothyroidism, you may gain weight, feel tired or depressed, have menstruation irregularities and have dry skin or hair.
Congenital Thyroidism
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You can be born with hypothyroidism. This disorder can cause mental retardation and failure to grow if a doctor does not diagnose it early enough. Medication can prevent these problems. Symptoms are jaundice, constipation, sluggishness, feeding problems, thick tongue, puffy face, swollen stomach and large soft spot on skull.
Thyroid Cancer
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Thyroid cancer is a condition where tumors develop in the thyroid gland. In some cases, your thyroid gland may have to be removed. You are at risk for thyroid cancer if you have excessive X-rays as a treatment for another condition (excluding dental X-rays).
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References
- Photo Credit Thyroid National Library of Medicine
