Understanding Hypothyroidism: Symptoms and Causes
If you're experiencing unexplained fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, or other persistent symptoms, consider the possibility of hypothyroidism. This condition arises when the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped organ in your neck, fails to produce adequate thyroid hormones.
These hormones regulate various bodily functions, including metabolism, energy production, and hormonal balance. Let’s delve deeper into the symptoms, causes, and importance of identifying hypothyroidism early.
How thyroid function can affect your weight
Hyperthyroidism occurs when there are too many hormones produced by the thyroid gland. Hyperthyroidism causes the thyroid gland to produce excessive amounts of thyroid hormone.
When you have hyperthyroidism, you might experience symptoms like increased appetite, fatigue, nervousness, heart palpitations, muscle weakness, rapid heartbeat, and weight gain. If left untreated, hyperthyroidism could lead to serious health problems such as heart failure, kidney damage, and even death.
Hypothyroidism is a disease characterized by low levels of thyroid hormone in the blood. Although it affects both men and women equally, it occurs most frequently in middle-aged adults. A person with hypothyroidism does not produce enough thyroid hormones to maintain average metabolic rates; therefore, the body needs energy to compensate for this deficiency.
This increased demand for energy causes the individual to eat more food than he/she usually would. In addition, the metabolism slows down, causing the body to store more calories as fat.
The thyroid gland produces three different types of thyroid hormones: thyroxine (T4), triiodothyronine (T3), and reverse T3 (rT3). Thyroxine increases basal metabolic rate (BMR), while rT3 increases lipolysis (the breakdown of fats into fatty acids and glycerol). Triiodothyronine is involved in protein synthesis and carbohydrate oxidation.
In general, people with hypothyroidism are overweight because they do not burn as many calories as others. They also tend to retain fluid and sodium, resulting in weight gain. Hypothyroidism is one of the most common endocrine disorders, affecting approximately 2% of the population. Symptoms include fatigue, dry skin, constipation, depression, hair loss, muscle cramps, menstrual irregularities, and weight gain.
This also means that insufficient thyroid hormone is usually associated with a low basal metabolic rate. Therefore, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) can cause weight gain. Your body doesn’t burn as much energy, leading to a calorie surplus.
Hyperthyroidism vs Hypothyroidism
The most common difference between the two diseases is hormone levels. Hypothyroidism causes a decrease in hormones, while hyperthyroidism causes an increase in hormone production.
In the United States, hypothyroidism is more common than hyperthyroidism. However, it’s common to have an overactive thyroid and then an underactive thyroid or vice versa.
Weight loss is often associated with depression. But it could just mean someone is losing weight because their thyroid gland isn't producing enough thyroid hormone.
A person with hypothyroidism might experience weight gain even though he or she is eating less than usual. If you're experiencing weight loss, talk to your doctor about whether there are any underlying causes.
Swelling in the Neck - Hyperthyroidism Symptoms:
A swollen gland in the neck could mean one of several things. An enlarged thyroid gland is usually caused by an overactive thyroid, which is called hyperthyroidism. This condition causes the body to produce too much thyroid hormone.
In contrast, underactive thyroid is known as hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism can lead to weight gain, fatigue, depression, hair loss, dry skin, constipation, and muscle weakness.
The symptoms of both conditions are similar, but hypothyroidism tends to be less severe. For example, people with hypothyroidism often feel tired and sluggish rather than having a racing heart, palpitations, anxiety, or irritability.
In addition, some people develop benign growth in the thyroid gland, called a goiter. Goiters are swellings in the neck that enlarge when there isn't enough thyroid hormone in the blood. They can sometimes be painful and interfere with breathing.
Goiters aren't dangerous, but they're best treated medically. If you have one, you must see your doctor regularly to monitor its response to treatment.
The symptoms of both conditions are similar, but hypothyroidism tends to be less severe. For example, people with hypothyroidism often feel tired and sluggish rather than having a racing heart, palpitations, anxiety, or irritability.
In addition, some people develop benign growth in the thyroid gland, called a goiter. Goiters are swellings in the neck that enlarge when there isn't enough thyroid hormone in the blood. They can sometimes be painful and interfere with breathing.
Goiters aren't dangerous, but they're best treated medically. If you have one, you must see your doctor regularly to monitor its response to treatment.
Feeling Too Cold or Hot - Hyperthyroidism Symptoms:
Hypothyroidism is a disorder in which the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough hormones. This leads to low levels of thyroid hormone, which regulates metabolism and helps control energy use. Hypothyroidism also affects the heart, muscles, brain, skin, hair, and nails.Symptoms include tiredness, trouble concentrating, weight gain, muscle aches, depression, dry skin, and brittle fingernails. If untreated, symptoms can worsen over time.
Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid produces too many hormones. It causes rapid heartbeat, irritability, nervousness, tremors, anxiety, insomnia, diarrhea, excessive sweating, and weight loss. Untreated hyperthyroidism can lead to heart problems, bone loss, and even death.
Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid produces too many hormones. It causes rapid heartbeat, irritability, nervousness, tremors, anxiety, insomnia, diarrhea, excessive sweating, and weight loss. Untreated hyperthyroidism can lead to heart problems, bone loss, and even death.
Other Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is often called "the silent killer" because it doesn't always show up with apparent signs like weight gain or fatigue. However, hypothyroidism can lead to a host of other symptoms, including dry skin, brittle nails, numbness or tingling of the hands, constipation, abnormal menstrual periods, and even depression.Hyperthyroidism Is Far More Common In Women Than In Men
Women are more likely to develop hyperthyroidism than men because they produce more thyroid hormone (T4) than men. Men tend to have higher levels of TSH, the pituitary gland hormone that regulates the production of T4.Why Hyperthyroidism is far more common in women than in men?.
Women are more likely to develop hyperthyroidism due to their higher levels of estrogen. Estrogen stimulates thyroid hormone production. In addition, women tend to be diagnosed at an earlier age than men.Sources & Credits:
Foods to eat and avoid with hyperthyroidismHypothyroidism in Women: Understanding Common Symptoms
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