The thyroid is a small butterfly shaped gland that is situated in the front of the neck below the Adam’s apple, and is an essential organ for producing thyroid hormones that maintain the body’s metabolism. The two most important thyroid hormones are T4 (thyroxin) and T3 (triiodothyronine), representing 99.9 percent and 0.1 percent of thyroid hormones, respectively. When released from the thyroid gland, a major amount of T4 is converted to T3, which is the active hormone affecting the metabolism of cells all through the body.

Thyroid disorders can range from a harmless, small goiter that hardly needs treatment, to life-threatening cancer. The most common thyroid diseases involve the abnormal production of thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism occurs when there is too much production of thyroid hormone, whereas hypothyroidism results due to insufficient hormone production. Millions of Americans have some form of thyroid disease, though women are five to eight times more likely than men to have thyroid problems.

You have a higher risk of developing thyroid disease if among other factors you have a family member with a thyroid problem, have another endocrine or pituitary disease, and have been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. If you are a female, over 50, just had a baby, near menopause or menopausal, a smoker, lead a high stressed life; you have a high risk as well.

The common symptoms of hyperthyroidism are weight loss despite an increased appetite, increased heart rate, higher blood pressure, heart palpitations, nervousness, and excessive perspirations. Other symptoms include muscle weakness, trembling hands, fine brittle hair, irritability, lighter or shorter menstrual periods, and more frequent bowel movements, sometimes with diarrhea. The common symptoms in hypothyroidism include increased sensitivity to cold, reduced heart rate, tingling or numbness in hands, development of a goiter (an enlargement in your neck), and unexplained or excessive weight gain. Other symptoms include constipation, dry skin and hair, heavy menstrual periods, infertility or miscarriage, fatigue, exhaustion, lethargy, depression or slower mental processes. The symptoms in case of subacute thyroiditis include mild to severe pain in the thyroid gland, tenderness upon touching the thyroid, discomfort or pain while swallowing or turning your head. These symptoms appear soon after a viral infection like flu, mumps, or measles.

There are many different causes of thyroid disease, though the conditions that cause hypothyroidism include-

1- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which is a painless disease of the immune system that is hereditary. In this autoimmune disorder, the body attacks the thyroid tissues that eventually die and stop producing hormones.

2- Exposure to excessive amounts of iodine due to cold and sinus medicines, certain contrast dyes given prior to some X-rays, or the heart medicines amiodarone.

3- Removal of the thyroid gland due to surgery or chemically destroyed as treatment for hyperthyroidism.

4- Lithium is a drug that has also been linked as a cause of hypothyroidism.

5- Postpartum thyroiditis, which is the inflammation of the thyroid gland after pregnancy.

6- Others like acute and silent thyroiditis, and thyroid hormone resistance.

If left untreated for a long period, hypothyroidism can cause myxedema coma, which is a rare but potentially fatal condition requiring immediate hormone injections. Hypothyroidism causes a special danger to newborns and infants and can occur due to a pituitary disorder, defective thyroid, and lack of the gland entirely. Dwarfism (stunted growth) and cretinism (mental retardation) may occur due to a lack of thyroid hormone in the system at an early age. An infant who is hypothyroid has a poor appetite, sleeps for exceptionally long periods of time, and is unusually inactive and quiet.

The conditions that cause hyperthyroidism include-

1- Graves’ disease, which is the production of too much thyroid hormone.

2- Subacute thyroiditis, which is the inflammation of the thyroid causing the glands to secrete excess hormone. This results in temporary hyperthyroidism that normally lasts a few weeks, but may continue for months.

3- Toxic adenomas- Thyroid hormones may be secreted due to nodules that develop in the thyroid gland, which upset the body’s chemical balance. Some goiters may contain several of such nodules.

4-Pituitary gland malfunctions or cancerous growth in the thyroid gland that are rare, but hyperthyroidism can also develop these causes.

5- Others include excessive intake of iodine, hashitoxicosis, and ingesting thyroid hormone (medications).

Cancer of the thyroid glands is rare and occurs in fewer than 10% of thyroid nodules. A higher-than-normal tendency for thyroid cancer occurs in people who have received radiation treatment to the neck and head earlier in life, possibly as a cure for acne.

Other factors that can contribute to the development of thyroid problems is the exposure to radiation as occurred after the Chernobyl nuclear accident or radiation treatment given for tonsils, adenoids, lymph nodes or acne. Overconsumption of isoflavone-intensive soy products like soy protein, capsules, and powders, and overconsumption of uncooked “goitrogenic” foods like broccoli, brussels sprouts, turnips, radishes, cauliflower, cabbage, kale etc. could be another factor.

Diagnosis of thyroid disease is made by the doctor depending on the case, by conducting blood tests, imaging and biopsy, if needed. Depending on the kind of thyroid disease to be treated, medications, surgery, or radioactive therapy may be used.

Ensure you are consuming enough of all the B vitamins, vitamin A, C, and selenium. Also, a diet rich in calcium, protein, magnesium, and iodine supports thyroid function. If you suffer from thyroid disease, avoid alkaloids, including substances like morphine, caffeine, and quinine that increase blood pressure and heart rate. Also prevent the herb ephedra found in herbal formulas, and its extracts ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, found in over-the-counter cold remedies that cause insomnia, headache, nervousness, and high blood pressure. Thyroid diseases are life-long conditions, though with careful management people can live healthy lives.

By Harleena Singh, Staff Writer

About the author- Harleena Singh is a professional freelance writer with a background in teaching and education. She has a keen interest in food and health related issues and can be approached through her website http://www.freelancewriter.co.