Published on April 4, 2022
Read Time: Three Minutes
By Anaid Hernandez-Sanchez, MD
Phelps Health
Do you struggle with weight gain, fatigue and joint pain? There’s a chance you could have a thyroid disorder.
The thyroid is a gland located in the front of your neck that produces important hormones that regulate your metabolism.
However, sometimes, your thyroid gland does not make the right amount of hormones, which is known as thyroid disease, or thyroid disorder. Your thyroid gland may not make enough hormones (hypothyroidism) or may make too many hormones (hyperthyroidism).
In general, hypothyroidism is more common than hyperthyroidism. Anyone can get thyroid disease, but women are more likely to be diagnosed with a thyroid condition.
People who have a family history of thyroid disease are at a higher risk of developing thyroid disorders themselves.
Grave’s disease, an autoimmune disease where the thyroid gland becomes overactive, can cause hyperthyroidism. Thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid) or an enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) also can cause the gland to produce too much hormone.
Another autoimmune disease known as Hashimoto’s disease, or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, where the body’s cells attack and damage the thyroid, can cause hypothyroidism. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the US.
About 95% of cases of hypothyroidism occur due to an issue in the thyroid gland, but this condition also can be related to a problem in the pituitary gland or hypothalamus (a part of your brain) that causes an abnormal production of hormones.
Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism differ in many ways.
Patients with hypothyroidism may notice the following:
- Fatigue or weakness
- Intolerance to cold
- Shortness of breath
- Weight gain
- Cognitive dysfunction
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Hoarseness
- Swelling
- Muscle and joint pains
- Altered sensations
- Changes to menstrual cycle
- Depression
- Slow movement and slow speech
The following symptoms are associated with hyperthyroidism:
- Anxiety
- Tremors
- Weight loss
- Intolerance to heat
- Thinning hair
- Palpitations (heart fluttering)
- Shortness of breath
- Increased frequency of bowel movements
- Weakness
- High blood pressure
- Osteoporosis
- Psychosis
- Agitation
- Depression
Thyroid disorders are generally diagnosed based on the above symptoms and lab tests.
The thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), produced by the pituitary gland, tells the thyroid gland to produce the thyroid hormones known as T3 and T4. A blood test for TSH levels can help screen for thyroid disorders.
A medicine called levothyroxine is usually the treatment for an underactive thyroid.
For an overactive thyroid, treatments depend on the cause. Some medications can help decrease production of thyroid hormones or interfere with the excess hormones made.
Sometimes, surgery to remove the thyroid, thyroid nodules or part of the thyroid is a treatment option. In some cases, radioactive iodine is used to kill cells in the thyroid.
In general, thyroid disorders are not preventable, but eating a balanced diet, maintaining a normal BMI (body mass index) and exercising regularly can help reduce your chances of thyroid conditions.
If you are experiencing symptoms of thyroid disease, talk to your doctor to decide if you need to be screened for thyroid disorders.
Find a Doctor Today
Anaid Hernandez-Sanchez, MD, is a board-certified internal medicine physician at Phelps Health. To establish care with a primary care provider at Phelps Health, call (573) 364-9000.
