Thyroid Problems - Symptoms of Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism

The thyroid is a gland in the neck that is just below the adam’s apple. This gland is responsible releasing a hormone that is used in regulating the metabolism, growth, the body’s use of energy and vitamins and also using other hormones. Signs and symptoms of thyroid problems can be a result of either an overactive thyroid leading to too much hormone being produced causing symptoms of hyperthyroidism or an under active thyroid leading to symptoms of hypothyroidism.

These two diseases affect us in almost the exact opposite ways, for example hypothyroid symptoms are those that seem to be the result of a very slowed metabolism, constant fatigue, hair loss and damage, modest weight gain, and intolerance to cold, heart problems are also increased. While hyperthyroid symptoms increase the body’s energy and therefore cause heart troubles because of the increased demand upon the heart, loss of bone and increased risk of pregnancy complications.

In addition, the function of the thyroid gland is quite complicated integrating its function with the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, both found in the brain. It begins with the pituitary gland which determines the level of thyroid hormone in the blood and as needed it stimulates the hypothalamus to produce a thyroid releasing hormone which then goes back to the pituitary gland and stimulates it to produce the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) which finally produces T3 and T4 the thyroid hormones. So, damage to any one of the three glands can lead to signs and symptoms of thyroid problems, either symptoms of hypothyroidism or symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroid symptoms are found most commonly in women. Should hypothyroidism symptoms be found during pregnancy, there are greater risks for stillbirths in the baby and in addition greater risks of anemia, and other pregnancy risks associated with carrying the baby to full term. Symptoms of thyroid disorders, especially with hypothyroid conditions are different in infants and children than they are in adults.

In babies, there are four main symptoms: poor feeding, Jaundice (Yellow or orange colored skin), excessive fatigue and sleepiness, constipation. In Children, the symptoms are quite similar to those in adults in addition to an increased difficulty with school work and lower grades.

The early symptoms in adults are: constipation, carpal tunnel syndrome (wrist pain, and numbness of fingers and hands, usually associated with repetitive movement, such as typing or piano playing), getting tired very easily, and very low cold tolerance. Later symptoms are: dry skin, anorexia, increasingly deep voice, hair begins to fall out very easily (for example, when running a comb through the hair it is full of hair that has fallen out, this is especially true with long hair), increased weight, depression, and puffy eyes.

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a thyroid disease that can be more serious at times and untreated can lead to heart trouble. In addition to the symptoms that appear in adults, this can lead to decreasing performance at school and an increase in behavior problems both at home and at school.

In adults, there are nervousness, tremors in the hand, a sensation of feeling hot even in cooler temperatures, an increase in sweating, in women the menstrual cycle either decreases or stops completely, and even though there may be an increase in appetite (due to the increase in metabolism) there is also a decrease in weight and an increase in bowel movements.

Also there are joint pains, loss of ability to concentrate, insomnia. In the elderly, there is an increased sensation of chest pain or angina in those who already have heart disease. Shortness of breath is increased in those with heart failure, and the muscles in the shoulders and thighs weaken.

When to seek medical care?
These thyroid disorders usually take weeks or months do fully develop so as with all disorders treatment sought early is best. Any prolonged symptoms should be reported to the doctor for examination and possible treatment. This is especially true with hypothyroidism, which can severely affect the brain and lead to block or other intestinal disorders. Also, certain situations, such as sickness or injuries, exposure to cold, and some medicines can lead to this disease getting worse.

Emergency medical care should be sought when there are some severe symptoms such as: difficulty breathing, pain in the abdominal area, disorientation, vomiting, or of course in the case of a coma.

Hyperthyroidism can lead to heart and brain disorders and may in addition be life threatening in that it can cause what is called a thyrotoxic crisis , however this usually is in people who are getting no or inadequate treatment for their thyroid condition. As in the above case seek emergency treatment for coma, chest or abdominal pain, shortness of breath, vomiting, disorientation (lack of knowledge of the date and time), increased agitation and irritability.