What Is The Difference Between Hypothyroidism & Hyperthyroidism
Posted by Dr. Della Parker on April 20, 2017
If you are constantly feeling tired or fatigued no matter how well you eat or how much sleep you get, it is possible your thyroid is either overworking or not working enough.
In your body, there are communicators that tell your body what to do. These are your hormones and they are controlled by your Thyroid. When someone has Hyperthyroid or Hypothyroidism, their thyroid is not properly regulating their hormones and it sends the entire system out of whack.
Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland is not as active as it should be. This means it is not producing enough of the necessary hormones to tell your body what it needs to do. The immune system can then attack the thyroid and the resulting inflammation causes less of the necessary hormones to be produced.
Here are a few common causes and symptoms of Hypothyroidism.
Common causes of hypothyroidism include:
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder
- Genetics
- Low-iodine diet
- Radiation exposure from cancer treatment
- Certain medications used to treat cancer, heart problems, and psychiatric conditions
- Surgical removal of the thyroid
Symptoms of hypothyroidism
- Unexplained weight gain or trouble losing weight
- Fatigue
- Depression
- Hair loss and dry hair
- Muscle cramps
- Dry skin
- Goiter (swelling of thyroid gland)
- Brittle nails
- Slow heart rate
- Irregular period
- Sensitivity to cold
- Constipation
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid produces too much of your hormones. An overactive thyroid can be just as harmful and disruptive as one that isn’t working hard enough. Here are some common symptoms of Hyperthyroidism.
Common causes of hyperthyroidism include:
- Graves disease, a common autoimmune condition that stimulates the thyroid hormones T4 and T3
- Swollen thyroid
- Thyroid nodules
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism
- Unexplained weight loss
- Feeling wired or anxious
- Racing heartbeat
- Shakiness
- Sweating spells
- Feeling hot, frequently
- Itchy red skin
- More frequent bowel movements than usual
- Fine hair and hair loss
Dr. Della treats all types of conditions but has a special interest in digestive problems, chronic fatigue, and thyroid dysfunction. Call us today at 503.344.6631 to schedule an appointment or to become a patient, fill out a New Patient Application here .
Click to learn more about Subclinical Hypothyroidism.
SRC: Piedmont: The Difference Between Hypothyroidism & Hyperthyroidism