The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland located in your neck. It is an important part of the endocrine system and produces thyroid hormone. Whenever there is any problem in the thyroid gland that leads to an overproduction or underproduction of thyroid hormone, it is known as thyroid disease. The term thyroid disease is considered an umbrella term that encapsulates all disorders and problems associated with the thyroid gland. 

In India, more than 42 million people suffer from thyroid disease. The number of active patients with thyroid disease in India is among the highest in the world. One of the leading causes of this is delayed diagnosis of the condition, as well as difficulty monitoring symptoms, which could easily be caused by other conditions. Thyroid disease can increase your risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and even certain types of cancer if the condition is not managed. So, to help you understand the severity of the condition, let’s understand what thyroid disease is, its types, symptoms, and treatment options.

What Is Thyroid Disease?

Thyroid disease refers to any abnormality in the thyroid gland that leads to an underproduction or overproduction of the thyroid hormone. Hormonal imbalance in the body can lead to several health complications, which require medical treatment. If left unchecked, thyroid disease can lead to cardiovascular diseases, peripheral neuropathy, and goitre. It is very important to control the thyroid level in women especially since thyroid disease can increase the risk of PCOD or PCOS, which can affect the menstrual health of women. One of the most important things you should note is that thyroid disease has two types, and both these types have different causes and symptoms. What are the two types of thyroid disease? Let’s find out.

Types of Thyroid Disease
 

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a type of thyroid disease that leads to an overproduction of thyroid hormone by the gland. This condition can be caused due to several medical conditions. Let’s take a look at some of the causes of hyperthyroidism.

• Graves Disease: This condition is autoimmune in nature and causes the thyroid gland to be overactive. As an autoimmune condition, the immune system cells attack the thyroid gland, leading to an overproduction of thyroid hormone due to this condition. It is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism.
   
• Thyroiditis: Thyroiditis is a condition that causes inflammation in the thyroid gland. It can be caused by a number of factors, including viral infections, medicinal side effects, or post-pregnancy. Thyroiditis is also a very common cause of hyperthyroidism. If treated promptly, this condition and resulting hyperthyroidism can be reversed with medical treatment.
   
• Medication: If you are taking supplements of thyroid hormone, it can cause hyperthyroidism if your system is flooded with an overdose of the hormone. Stopping the medication and following up with the doctor is generally enough to help deal with this cause.
   

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a type of thyroid disease where the thyroid gland is underactive. It causes a deficiency of thyroid hormone in your body, which can lead to an increased risk of various health conditions like high cholesterol levels and cardiovascular diseases. Here are some of the most common causes of hypothyroidism.

• Iodine Deficiency: Hypothyroidism is most commonly associated with iodine deficiency, as the thyroid gland needs iodine to make thyroid hormone. Iodine deficiency is also a common cause of goitre, a condition commonly associated with thyroid disease.
   
• Hashimoto’s Disease: Much like Grave’s disease for hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition that causes hypothyroidism. The immune system attacks the healthy thyroid gland cells and causes the gland to behave abnormally. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is also one of the most common causes of hypothyroidism.
   
• Congenital Hypothyroidism: Any condition that a child is born with is known as a congenital condition. Congenital hypothyroidism is the same, with some children being born with an underactive thyroid gland. With proper treatment and timely diagnosis, it is possible to mitigate the risk posed by this condition.

Symptoms of Thyroid Disease

Hyperthyroidism Symptoms

• Sleeplessness
• Heat sensitivity
• Irritability
• Anxiety or nervousness
• Period irregularity for women
• Faster heart rate compared to normal
• Unexplained weight loss
• Sweaty skin

Hypothyroidism Symptoms

• Symptoms of depression
• Slower heart rate compared to normal
• Dry skin texture and hair
• Unexplained weight gain
• Heavy bleeding during periods for women
• Tiredness and physical fatigue
• Cold sensitivity

Treatment Options for Thyroid Disease

Treatment options for thyroid disease often require lifestyle and dietary modifications. Let’s review some of the most common treatment options for thyroid disease.

Diet & Exercise

Dietary changes can significantly reduce your risk of thyroid disease. Eating a healthy diet regularly, where you consume enough green vegetables, proteins, and seafood that’s naturally rich in iodine, can help you reduce the risk and symptoms of hypothryroidism. Besides diet, regular physical exercise can help reduce sleep problems and improve overall energy.

Beta Blockers

These are medicines prescribed to patients with thyroid problems. Beta-blockers can help manage symptoms of thyroid problems. Although these medicines do not directly help manage thyroid issues, they are mainly prescribed for symptomatic relief. In the case of beta blockers, they are used to slow down the heart rate of patients with hyperthyroidism exceptionally fast.

Radioactive Iodine

For patients with hyperthyroidism, radioactive iodine is used to intentionally damage the thyroid gland cells to reduce the production of thyroid hormone in the body. This treatment is safe and is regularly prescribed to patients with severe hyperthyroidism.

Thyroid Supplements

This is the best treatment option for those with hypothyroidism. Thyroid supplements help balance the thyroid hormone level in your body, allowing the symptoms to cease and managing your condition effectively.

Surgery

In very rare cases where thyroid disease significantly affects the patient, doctors recommend thyroidectomy surgery, where the thyroid gland is surgically removed. If you have been prescribed this treatment option, you will have to consume thyroid supplements for the rest of your life. However, it will completely stop the natural production of thyroid hormones in your body, helping you treat thyroid diseases.

Conclusion

It is extremely important to be aware of thyroid disease and monitor its symptoms and early signs. An early diagnosis helps manage the condition easily without the need for medical or surgical intervention. So, this World Thyroid Day, let’s take a step towards an India that’s more aware of the risks of thyroid disease and has more awareness regarding thyroid treatment options. 

For more information about the complications associated with thyroid disease and natural ways to manage your thyroid, check out our website. We at MASSH offer the best therapeutic and surgical treatment options for thyroid disease. Visit us today to consult with our specialists, and we will help you go through the treatment process as seamlessly as possible.