Where is the thyroid gland and why is it important? The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located in front of your windpipe. While it is not the biggest of glands, it produces the thyroid hormone, one of the essential hormones due to its overall effect on our bodies. The pituitary gland also regulates the hormone production by the thyroid.
What Does Thyroid Hormone Do In Our Bodies?
To understand the thyroid hormone’s function, we could look at it as a hormone that makes processes faster. A lot of biochemical and physiological processes occur in the body for it to carry out its functions. The thyroid hormone (under standard conditions) affects every cell in the body to make these go at enough rate to make sure the body functions properly.
How Can Thyroid Gland Malfunction Affect The Body?
When thyroid glands malfunction and produces too much or too little thyroid hormone due to a specific anatomical or physiological abnormality, the effects on the body can be very profound and widespread. Below, we will look at some causes of thyroid disease and symptoms that may indicate that thyroid disease is present.
Causes Of Thyroid Disease
Effect wise, we can look at Thyroid disease as belonging in two broad categories. One of these causes the thyroid gland to too little thyroid hormone; a condition called hypothyroidism. The others cause the thyroid gland to produce too much hormone, a condition called hyperthyroidism. Neither of these is optimal for our body function and performance. Any of the following factors can cause hypothyroidism:
- Pituitary gland sending too little stimulatory hormone to the thyroid gland
- Thyroid surgery destroying a part of the thyroid gland
- Autoimmune conditions, e.g., Hashimoto disease
- Radiation therapy
- A side effect of certain medications
Any of the following factors can cause hyperthyroidism:
Signs And Symptoms Of Thyroid Disease
These can be divided into the signs of hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone production) and hyperthyroidism (excessive thyroid hormone production).
Hypothyroidism
This condition occurs when the thyroid gland produces inadequate amounts of Thyroid hormone, leading to a fall in the rate of basal body metabolism and other physiological processes.
Common Signs And Symptoms Of Hypothyroidism
Fatigue
The thyroid hormone is responsible for increasing the rate of metabolic processes, including those that generate energy. When there is not enough thyroid hormone in the body, the body energy production is inadequate, and constant fatigue results.
Reduced Heart Rate
In hypothyroidism, the heart rate falls due to the loss of the stimulatory effect of thyroid hormone on heart rate.
Weight Gain
This is due to the drop in metabolic rate due to insufficient thyroid hormone levels. Burning calories becomes more complex in hypothyroidism. Other signs of hypothyroidism include:
- Thinning hair
- Dry skin
- Constipation
- Depression
- Elevated blood cholesterol levels
- Impaired memory function
Hyperthyroidism
This happens when the thyroid gland produces excess thyroid hormone with a consequent rise in basal body metabolism. Common causes of hyperthyroidism include:
Graves’ Disease
This condition is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system forms antibodies that act as thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulins. This is the most common reason for hyperthyroidism.
Tumors
Tumors of the thyroid gland can cause it to enlarge and produce too much thyroid hormone. Similarly, tumors of the pituitary gland can cause it to produce excessive thyroid-stimulating hormones.
- Thyroiditis or inflammation of the thyroid gland
- Excessive amounts of thyroid hormone taken as supplements or medication
Symptoms Of Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism symptoms are related to the thyroid gland’s hyper-functioning, causing the body’s metabolic rate to become too high. Common symptoms arising from this and which mostly are the inverse of those found in hypothyroidism include :
- Elevated blood pressure
- Tremors or shaking of the hand
- Elevated heart rate
- Excessive sweating
- Weight loss
- Exophthalmos- in which the eyes appear to bulge out
- Restlessness
- Nervousness
- Insomnia
Goiter, visible enlargement of the thyroid gland, can occur in hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
