What is a thyroid disorder?
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck that has a huge impact on our overall health. It is considered a master gland and is critical for regulating our metabolism.
When the thyroid becomes impaired and does not produce adequate levels of key hormones like thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), major bodily functions can be disrupted. This leads to development of thyroid disorders.
Some common thyroid disorders include:
- Hypothyroidism - Where the thyroid gland is underactive and does not produce enough thyroid hormones. Symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, sensitivity to cold temperatures, and more.
- Hyperthyroidism - Where the thyroid gland is overactive and produces excessive thyroid hormones. This speeds up metabolism significantly leading to unintended weight loss, rapid heart rate, insomnia, and other issues.
- Hashimoto’s disease - This is an autoimmune disorder whereby one's own immune system attacks the thyroid gland. It often leads to an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism over time.
- Goiter - This refers to an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. Goiters can be caused by iodine deficiencies, inflammation of the thyroid, or malignant nodules/tumors.
- Thyroid cancer - While relatively uncommon overall, thyroid cancer rates have increased in recent years. Risk factors include radiation exposure and family history. The most common types are papillary and follicular cancer arising from thyroid nodules.
The great news is there are effective treatments available for thyroid dysfunction. The knowledgeable physicians at Vital Hormones Clinic specialize in advanced thyroid testing and personalized care plans involving thyroid hormone replacement medications when indicated.
I hope this overview gives some insight into what thyroid disorders involve. Please let me know if you have any other questions!