There are different types of thyroid health conditions that will affect your wellbeing. We will discuss all of this and more in this article.
First, let’s talk about your thyroid. Your thyroid has an important role in your body, as with every other body part. The thyroid is responsible for controlling and releasing thyroid hormones. In return, the thyroid hormones control your metabolism.
Thyroid Disease Symptoms
Symptoms of thyroid conditions vary depending on the type of condition you have. However, the most common usually includes muscle weakness, unexplained weight loss, feeling tired, having vision problems, having a hoarse voice, having trouble sleeping, and enlarged thyroid.
If your thyroid experiences problems, then the distribution of thyroid hormones is affected, too. Hence, it affects your body’s metabolism and keeps your body’s system from working correctly.
In addition to that, the thyroid controls different hormones, too such as T4 or thyroxine and T3 or triiodothyronine. These hormones tell your body cells how much energy to use.
In perfect condition, the thyroid maintains the correct and proper amount of hormones to keep your metabolism working perfectly. However, when the thyroid experiences health conditions, it could be any one of the conditions mentioned below.
Types of Thyroid Conditions
These are some of the most common thyroid conditions:
- Thyroiditis – the inflammation of the thyroid usually caused by a viral infection. It can also be caused by an autoimmune condition. There are instances where thyroiditis can be painful, and there are also cases where it has no symptoms at all.
- Hypothyroidism – this refers to the low production of thyroid hormone. It’s usually caused by an autoimmune disease.
- Goiter – this is the medical term when the thyroid experiences swellings. Usually, goiters are harmless and caused by iodine deficiency.
- Hyperthyroidism – contrary to hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism refers to the excessive thyroid hormone product.
- Thyroid Cancer – although it is uncommon, thyroid cancer can happen. It is usually curable through radiation, surgery, and hormone treatments.
- Thyroid Storm – this is a rare form of hyperthyroidism. It refers to extremely high thyroid hormone levels. Usually, thyroid storms are caused by a severe illness.
- Graves Disease – this refers to an autoimmune condition that happens when your thyroids are overstimulated.
- Thyroid Nodule – this refers to a small abnormal mass or lump in the thyroid gland. It’s very common, and very few are cancerous.
Thyroid Disease Treatments
Because thyroid conditions vary, the treatment plans will also vary. This will depend on what thyroid condition you have, the current state of your health, if you’re currently taking medicines for other health conditions, and what your doctors think will be the right treatment for you.
For instance, thyroiditis usually doesn’t require any treatment. On the other hand, hyperthyroidism requires anti-thyroid medications, surgery, or radioactive iodine treatment. The best way to determine which thyroid disease treatments are the best for your condition is to talk with your doctor.
