Are you diagnosed with any thyroid disorders and want to know whether it is an underactive or overactive thyroid? Read this blog to get more information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of these two thyroid conditions.
What is a Thyroid?
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland that is located in the front of the neck, around the trachea. Its main role is to produce hormones that are essential for heart rate, digestion, and other functions important to human health. It is regulated by the pituitary gland in the brain.
Certain conditions can affect the thyroid gland and lead to the development of thyroid disease. If your body makes too much thyroid hormone, this condition is known as hyperthyroidism. If your body makes too little thyroid hormone, it is known as hypothyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is also known as overactive thyroid, in which the thyroid gland makes more thyroid hormones than your body needs. The excess level of thyroid hormones in the body can speed up the body’s metabolism. Under this overactive thyroid condition, an irritation in your thyroid, known as thyroiditis, allows a lot of thyroid hormone to enter your blood. Thyroid disorders mostly affect women, and hyperthyroidism is a relatively less common condition in comparison to hypothyroidism.
Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism can generally vary depending on the person’s specific health conditions. Most of the common symptoms of this thyroid disorder are mentioned below.
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
- The feelings of anxiety and nervousness
- Increased appetite
- Vision changes
- Feeling extra warm
- Increased sweating
- Muscle weakness
What Causes an Overactive Thyroid?
Various conditions can lead to hyperthyroidism, including the following:
- Autoimmune diseases such as Grave’s disease can be one of the reasons behind hyperactive thyroid cases. It is an autoimmune disorder that causes the thyroid gland to make too much thyroid hormone.
- Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid
- Abnormal growths (nodules) can lead to excess hormone secretion.
- Taking too much thyroid hormone medication for hypothyroidism can lead to hyperthyroidism.
- Eating too many foods that contain iodine
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a common condition that can make you feel tired and unable to tolerate cold temperatures. It is also known as underactive thyroid, in which the thyroid gland doesn’t create and release thyroid hormone into your blood and can slow down your metabolism.
In this thyroid disorder, your thyroid levels become extremely low, which leads to a slowdown in various bodily functions. Hypothyroidism is more common in women than men. It is also known as underactive thyroid and is a treatable condition that can be managed with the help of medication and preventive measures.
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
The most common symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Trouble tolerating cold
- Joint and muscle pain
- Lower heart rate
- Constipation
- Decreased sweating
Hypothyroidism Causes
Hypothyroidism is caused by too much or too little iodine in the diet. Some of the possible causes of hypothyroidism include:
- An autoimmune disorder known as Hashimoto’s disease is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. In this condition, your thyroid gland becomes inflamed and does not make enough thyroid hormone.
- Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid.
- Congenital hypothyroidism
- Some medications, such as heart medicines and cancer medicines, can interfere with thyroid hormone production and lead to hypothyroidism.
- Treatment of hyperthyroidism (radiation and surgical removal of the thyroid)
- Hereditary conditions
- Iodine deficiency
Treatment Options for Thyroid Disorders: Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a highly treatable condition, while hypothyroidism can’t be cured but can be managed with the appropriate treatment.
Many treatment options for hypothyroidism depend on the cause of the specific thyroid condition.
Some of the options that can be used to treat people diagnosed with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism include medications that slowly ease the symptoms.
Thyroid disorders s can also be treated with the help of Ayurveda, which includes lifestyle modifications, dietary changes, herbal remedies, detoxification therapies, and Panchakarma treatment.
These treatments are done to remove toxins and balance the doshas, or energies, in the body to restore health.
CONCLUSION
Hypothyroidism is a thyroid disorder in which the thyroid does not produce enough hormones. In this condition, without enough thyroid hormones, many functions in the body slow down. Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid produces excess thyroid hormones. It can cause bodily functions to speed up.
With the help of treatment options such as medications, therapies, herbal remedies, and dietary changes, you can manage your thyroid disorders.
Ayursparsh Clinic & Panchakarma Center in Dharwad, Karnataka, is renowned for treating various conditions and diseases.
To help manage and prevent hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, consult Dr. Rashmi C. Patil, MD (Ayu) and get treatment plans according to your specific conditions.
