Hashimoto’s disease is also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. When the body has this auto immune disease, antibodies are made to attack the thyroid gland as if it were a foreign matter which is bad for the body. This damages the gland and affects the production of the thyroid hormone.

This auto immune disease is the leading cause of hypothyroidism where the thyroid fails to produce the proper amount of thyroid hormone that the body needs. Individuals who have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis may experience symptoms similar to hypothyroidism, but in times, they may have bouts of hyperthyroidism as well where the inflamed thyroid produces too much of the thyroid hormone.

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is more common in women and can show up after pregnancy. To detect whether a person has Hashimoto’s disease, a blood workup is needed to check for the antibody levels in the blood. That simple test can help provide a diagnosis for the condition and can help determine which treatment would work best.

People with Hashimoto’s experience symptoms very similar to those of hypothyroidism. These are: depression, weight gain, brittle hair causing hair falling out, constipation, cramps, and swelling of the legs among other symptoms. If one suspects himself having this disease, a consult with the doctor is advised.

Treatments for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis include: hormone replacement therapy, or intake of prescribed medications. In hormone replacement therapy, synthetic hormones that can help regulate the production of the thyroid hormone are given to patients with Hashimoto’s. When the gland is permanently damaged, hormone replacement therapy may be needed for life.

Medications can include iodine supplements to help balance out the needed levels of iodine for proper levels of thyroid hormone production. The thyroid needs iodine to produce the thyroid hormone, and insufficient amounts can cause problems for the gland.

When tremendous damage has occurred, the gland may have difficulty converting the iodine into its needed form and that is where medications come in. Always remember though, that proper diagnosis of Hashimoto’s disease is needed before any of the treatments for it is used.

In pregnancy, hormones and estrogen are produced at higher levels than normal.  This will in turn cause an increase in the thyroid hormone levels in the blood.  Estrogen on the other hand increases the production of thyroid-binding globulin – the protein responsible for transportation of thyroid hormone in the blood.

These hormone changes and variations do make it thyroid function tests harder to interpret if due to pregnancy hormones or if there is a true thyroid disorder.

As thyroid hormones are critical in baby’s brain and nervous system development, pregnant women need more iodine.  They need at least 250 mcg per day as there is not enough iodine in prenatal vitamins.

In persons without previous thyroid problems, pregnancy may or may not result in a full blown thyroid disease.  But in persons with previous thyroid problems, this extra demand of pregnancy on the thyroid gland may cause a more serious clinical disease and will need extra care by the physician.

Hyperthyroidism in Pregnancy

Hyperthyroidism diagnosis in pregnancy can be quite difficult as there are alterations in the hormones commonly used for diagnosis.  The symptoms are just the same with a person who has hyperthyroidism but is not pregnant.  There will be fatigue and hair falling out.  In pregnant persons, normal pregnancy weight gain will be more difficult.

The most common result of hyperthyroidism in pregnancy is Grave’s disease.  It is an autoimmune disease that causes too much production of thyroid hormones.

Here are some of the consequences related to hyperthyroidism in pregnancy:

• Hyperemesis gravidarum – severe nausea and vomiting
• Miscarriage or spontaneous abortion
• Preterm labor/Premature birth
• Low birth weight babies
• Stillbirths
• Preeclampsia
• Congestive heart failure
• Thyroid storm

Mild cases do not require treatment.  However, more severe cases might need treatment with propylthiouracil or methimazole.

The most common cause of hypothyroidism in pregnancy is Hashimoto’s disease.  Similar with Grave’s disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis alters the hormone production.

Hypothyroidism in pregnancy could be due to an existing undiagnosed thyroid disorder or hyperthyroidism treatment resulting in prior treatment of removal of the thyroid gland.  Symptoms could be extreme fatigue, muscle cramps, constipation, and memory problems.

Here are some of the consequences related to hypothyroidism in pregnancy:

• Congestive heart failure
• Preeclampsia
• Miscarriage
• Low birth weight
• Stillbirths
• Anemia

Hypothyroidism treatment in pregnancy is usually through intake of a synthetic thyroxine.  Thyroid medications are known to be safe for use during pregnancy.

Hyperthyroidism is also known as overactive thyroid.  It is a medical condition where the thyroid gland is overactive as it produces too much thyroid hormone making metabolism go at a faster pace than it should.
Here are some of the factors, diseases, and conditions that can cause hyperthyroidism:

• Too much iodine
• Thyroiditis or thyroid gland inflammation
• Benign growths in the thyroid or pituitary gland
• Too much thyroid hormone
• Reproductive gland tumors
• Grave’s disease – An autoimmune disease where one’s immune system attacks the thyroid gland itself.

Here are the most common signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism:

• Concentration difficulty
• Increasing fatigue, restlessness, and nervousness.
• Mood swings
• Rapid heart rate
• Shaking hands
• Hair falling out
• Skin flushing and itching
• Increased appetite but does not gain weight
• Irregularity in menstrual periods and flow
• Increased bowel movements

Hyperthyroidism Diagnosis and Treatment

Physical exam and blood tests are the most usual tests done to determine whether you have hyperthyroidism or not.  Most times, this condition is detected without the intention of doing so.
Here are the different kinds of treatment your physician might offer you:

• Beta-blockers – For symptom control.
• Radioactive iodine – The most common treatment that intends to destroy a part of the thyroid gland without harming other glands.
• Antithyroid medicine – Works for those persons with very mild symptoms.
• Surgery – Always the last option.

What is Hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism is a medical condition where in the thyroid gland is not able to produce enough thyroid hormone making metabolism go at a slower pace than it should.  This condition is the entire opposite of hyperthyroidism.  It is also known as underactive thyroid.

The most common cause is thyroid gland inflammation and Hashimoto’s disease.  These viral and autoimmune types of diseases severely damages thyroid gland cells destroying them.  Here are the other causes:

• Congenital birth defects
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
• Radiation treatments
• Thyroid gland removal
• Viral thyroiditis

Here are some of the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism:

• Decreased bowel movements
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Dry skin
• Brittle hair and nails
• Unintentional weight gain
• Memory problems

Hypothyroidism Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis is just the same with hyperthyroidism.  However, treatment is the exact opposite.  The most common treatment is taking the hormone lacking.  Doctors usually prescribe levothyroxine.

Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism at a Glance

Most thyroid gland diseases or conditions can be hereditary or genetically linked, while some is due to certain situational triggers like pregnancy.  Both thyroid conditions are very treatable especially if caught early on.

These two medical conditions are totally inversely related to each other.  One is too much while the other is too low.  One overproduces while the other one under produces.

For hyperthyroidism, the downside with the treatment is that they tend to reverse the hormone production of the thyroid gland too much that sometimes, it ends up to having hypothyroidism.   Should hyperthyroidism be left untreated, it could lead to some serious consequences.

When a woman is pregnant, her body produces more hormones than usual. This is the cause of mood swings, changes in appetite, having feelings of extreme tiredness, or excessive sleepiness. When the baby is finally out it the world, mommy’s hormones are still adjusting. One gland of the endocrine system that is affected by pregnancy is the thyroid.

During pregnancy, the thyroid gets a little bigger. This, in turn, has impact on the thyroid’s production of hormones that regulate a person’s metabolism, energy use, and protein production. A woman who is with child should have a balanced intake of iodine to avoid problems with the thyroid during pregnancy and after giving birth.

While pregnancy causes changes in the thyroid gland and its production of the thyroid hormone, it can also lead to certain thyroid conditions such as hyperthyroidism where there is overproduction of thyroid hormones, or hypothyroidism where a woman has an underactive thyroid gland.

This condition is called postpartum thyroiditis (PPT). It usually follows the pattern of having hyperthyroidism which is then followed by hypothyroidism.

What is PPT?

PPT is a condition that manifests its symptoms from one to eight months after giving birth. Considered as an auto immune condition, PPT can cause hyperthyroidism that can last from a month or two. This condition is similar to two other auto immune diseases that affect the thyroid gland namely; Grave’s disease and Hashimoto’s disease which is also called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. PPT is said to be a variation of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

Some of the most common symptoms are:
• Weight gain or weight loss depending on the level of thyroid hormone produced
• Fatigue
• Excessive sleepiness
• Dry hair that may lead to hair falling out
• Rapid heartbeat and lack of concentration
• Decreased amount of milk produced for breastfeeding.

What Can Be Done?

Avoiding PPT can be done by having a balanced diet that has the right amount of iodine for the mother and the baby’s needs. If needed, supplements to adjust the level of the thyroid hormone to the normal state may be needed.

The symptoms present above may not immediately be seen after giving birth. An interval of one to eight months is the span where such symptoms may manifest themselves. Treatment can be done by taking replacement thyroid hormones prescribed by the OB-gynecologist.

In some cases, the thyroid gets too damaged by the hormone production changes it has undergone and may not return to its normal function. When this happens, the woman may need to have lifelong medications to compensate for the loss of thyroid function.

There are two types of thyroid conditions that occur due to thyroid gland abnormality, overactive thyroid known as hyperthyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism. Any thyroid abnormality can wreak havoc on a patient’s way of life, so it helps to understand the thyroid and its dysfunctions so we can do something about it if you suspect you have a condition.

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) occurs when the thyroid lacks sufficient thyroid hormone. Patients with hypothyroidism may notice symptoms of weight gain, depression, fatigue, heart palpitations, insomnia, concentration difficulties, and muscle joint pains, menstrual problems such as frequent and painful periods and in some cases infertility. With this condition having so many common symptoms that occur for any number of diseases, it tends to be undiagnosed for a long time.

To determine if someone has an underactive thyroid hormone, or hypothyroidism, their medical provider might suggest doing lab work to determine whether the patient has an elevated level of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) which occur when the pituitary gland continues creating hormone to get the thyroid stimulated. A physician may also request an A1C Test as well because often people with thyroid problems often have diabetes symptoms as well. In fact, some health care providers suggest that TSH levels must be check at least every five years to determine if there are any signs of hypothyroidism for diabetic patients, since diabetic patients may have difficulty with their blood glucose level compounded with other hypothyroidism symptoms and complicate the condition further.

In instances where a patient may suffer from both hypothyroidism and type 2 diabetes they may have to receive thyroid replacement medication to help the thyroid function normal. Without any treatment, a person who has both conditions will have more severe symptoms and could result in death.

People who suffer from hypothyroidism often have many associated symptoms and should seek medical advice from their physician to rule out under active glands.  If you, or someone you know shows some of the signs or symptoms listed in this article, have them tested by a medical professional as soon as possible.  Once you know what you are dealing with, you will learn what you need to do to fix it.

The signs or the symptoms of the disease are weight gain, depression, mania, sensitivity to heat and cold, panic attacks, lethargy, panic attacks, headaches, high cholesterol, hypoglycemia, muscle weakness, as well as hair loss.

Hypothyroidism is the condition in which your thyroid works too slow, and doesn’t do its job the right way. You gain weight, you feel lethargic, your muscles don’t work right, you start noticing your hair is falling out, all of these conditions tell you that something is going wrong inside your body.

The reason for thyroid dysfunction is a little unclear, but for the most part it seems that if you have a family history of thyroid disorder, it would not be uncommon for you to have it too.

Once you notice the symptoms mentioned above, you need to go to the doctor and get tested for it. If the test comes out positive for thyroid problems, the doctor will prescribe medication, either Levothyroxine or desiccated thyroid extract, for your condition. Once you start taking your medication, you will notice that the symptoms disappear and you can live your life without all of these problems. But the thing you must be aware of is that you will have to take this medication for the rest of your life. You will never be cured of this dysfunction, but you can reverse it and get a handle on eliminating the symptoms, just not the disease itself.

Hashimoto’s Disease is most common of people who have Hypothyroidism in North America. The ages of the people who mostly get this disease are 45-65. It can happen to children, but it is not as common.

If you are one of the people who suffer from a thyroid dysfunction, Hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s disease, don’t worry, there are answers for you. The first thing you should do is to go to the doctor and get tested.  Find out what you are dealing with so that you can properly address it, and begin to treat the symptoms.  The next thing you should do is research on reversing your dysfunction.  You will be able to live a healthy life.

Now as many of you know, these symptoms on their own do not mean anything, it doesn’t have to be Hashimoto’s disease. So what is Hashimoto’s Disease? It is when your thyroid is attacked by the antibodies in your own body. Your auto immune system actually attacks the thyroid in its own system.

This disorder is most common, especially with hypothyroidism, in middle aged Northern Americans, roughly 1 per thousand. Basically what a doctor needs to do when he tests you and finds the hormone imbalances in your blood, is a medication is prescribed to you to take every day, the rest of your life. You need this medication to keep your antibodies from attacking.

You don’t necessarily have Hashimoto’s disease just because you have hypothyroidism. You could just have an unbalanced thyroid. But if you do, you still need to take medication for it.

If you are diagnosed as having Hashimoto’s disease or just hypothyroidism, you should not let a significant amount of time go by without taking your medication. Without your disease being medicated, you could lose your muscles control and/or you could have a heart attack. Some must take the medication for the rest of their lives, if they are prescribed medication for it.

Not only will medication take care of the symptoms, but it will make the patient feel a lot better. They won’t be so tired all of the time and any efforts to lose weight should prove to be successful; whereas, before they had their medication no amount of aerobics or dieting would work. So just be grateful that there is a medication that takes care of the symptoms and that you can lead a normal life even with the hypothyroidism.

If you or someone you know has been suffering from some of the symptoms of Hashimoto’s disease listed above and are currently not seeing a doctor about it to have them addressed, please take this time and make an appointment.  You can get your energy back, and when you do, the whole world will open up to you again.

This disease causes both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Most of those who have thyroid problems, have one or the other, not both. If you have hypothyroidism, you gain weight and are tired most of the time. Your thyroid is slow. But if you have hyperthyroidism, you have a thyroid that works overtime. It’s totally the opposite. With Hashimoto’s Disease, it can create hormone imbalances that cause the body to be very confused.

What can you do if you suspect you have this disease? You need to go to the doctor, tell the doctor what your symptoms are and what you suspect could be the problem. Tests can be done to examine your blood and find if you do have this disease.

If it is prognosis that you do have Hashimoto’s disease or at least hypothyroid disease, you can be treated to relieve the symptoms. Usually a doctor will either prescribe thyroid hormone replacement agents such as Levothyroxine or Dessicated Thyroid Extract.  But the good news is that your symptoms should disappear and you can live a normal life after that. You are not ever really cured, so you can’t stop taking the prescribed medicine.

The thing you have to pay attention to and remember is that if you do have either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism you need to get yourself tested and take your medication. If you go for an extended time without taking your medication, your muscles could deteriorate or you could have a heart attack. So be diligent if you are one who had this disease and take your medication as it was prescribed.

Otherwise, you’ll live a perfectly normal life, and your hair will come back and stop falling out when you take your medication. That is unless you’re a male who has the family inheritance of balding, then that’s another case for another kind of doctor.

Thyroid malfunction affects nearly every part of a human body because the thyroid gland which produces the thyroid hormone, affects nearly all cell tissues. Because of this, thyroid hormone imbalance can cause either an over active thyroid as well as an under active thyroid.

Under active thyroid disease is commonly referred to as hypothyroidism while an overactive thyroid is commonly called hyperthyroidism. Regardless to which form someone has, either disease causes many painful symptoms and side effects for those afflicted.

Some symptoms of thyroid disease can include weight loss, weight gain, muscle weakness, warm moist skin, menstrual changes, insomnia, fatigue, depression, constipation, irritability as well as others. This condition encompasses so many different symptoms that look like other illnesses, all too often; it is not diagnosed right away. The biggest exception is when the patient exhibits goiter symptoms.  A goiter is a common symptom of thyroid dysfunction and is easy to diagnose because the thyroid gland is larger than normal.  Patients with goiter symptoms may experience difficulty swallowing or breathing problems, which occur when the goiter presses on the esophagus or trachea.

Once a medical provider suspects that the symptoms are due to thyroid dysfunction they will perform the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) lab test to diagnose the problem. Depending on the test results the doctor may suggest that the patient see an endocrinologist for further treatment or perform other testing. Some treatments commonly used to treat this condition include prescription such as levothyroxine and in severe case thyroid surgery.

The best way to deal with any symptoms that linger for a while that you suspect might be due to over active thyroid or underactive thyroid disease is to see your medical provider and have your physician rule out thyroid disease.  Do not ignore your body telling you there is something wrong.

Generally, your thyroid gland is an automated system that produces all the hormones it needs to, and in turn keeping your body working the right way. However, sometimes it doesn’t work right. That’s when you end up with hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism happens when your body produces too much of the hormone thyroxine. It can cause all kinds of health problems, like rapid weight loss, sweating, increased appetite, and tremors. One of the bigger problems with this disorder is that it looks so similar to so many other disorders; it can be hard to diagnose.

The way that this Thyroid disorder is diagnosed is by blood tests and observation. Your doctor will run a series of blood tests to see what your T3 and T4 levels are. It isn’t uncommon for a doctor to take more than one test in order to establish a pattern for your levels. They will also monitor you to see if you have any of the physical symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism.

The good thing is that this disorder is easily treatable. Some doctors choose to wait to see what will happen with people who have only slightly elevated numbers. There are things that you can do to help control those numbers. For higher numbers, your doctor might prescribe something like a betablocker. They will also tell you to stop taking anything with iodine in it. Your thyroid absorbs iodine, and you don’t want it to be more active than it is.

If you have Hyperthyroidism, or you think you may recognize some of the symptoms listed here in this article, then you should see your doctor, ask to have your thyroid tested and get under medical supervision as soon as possible.  There are several complications that could arise from this disorder. Only a doctor can diagnose this, and you need to be on a proper regimen to control it.