What signs and symptoms can occur if thyroid function is affected?

Thyroid gland: A gland that makes and stores hormones that help regulate the heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and the rate at which food is converted into energy. Thyroid hormones are essential for the function of every cell in the body. They help regulate growth and the rate of chemical reactions (metabolism) in the body. Thyroid hormones also help children grow and develop.

The thyroid gland is located in the lower part of the neck, below the Adam's apple, wrapped around the trachea (windpipe). It has the shape of a butterfly: two wings (lobes) attached to one another by a middle part.

The thyroid uses iodine, a mineral found in some foods and in iodized salt, to make its hormones. The two most important thyroid hormones are thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which is produced by the pituitary gland, acts to stimulate hormone production by the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland also makes the hormone calcitonin, which is involved in calcium metabolism and stimulating bone cells to add calcium to bone.


What signs and symptoms can occur if thyroid function is affected?

If the thyroid is under-active, symptoms of hypothyroidism may occur. The signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism vary widely, depending on the severity of hormone deficiency. Some of the complaints experienced by patient's with hypothyroidism include:

fatigue

mental fogginess and forgetfulness

feeling excessively cold

constipation

dry skin

fluid retention

non specific aches and stiffness in muscles and joints

excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia)

depression


Hyperthyroidism is suggested by a number of signs and symptoms. Patients with mild disease usually experience no symptoms. In patients older than 70 years of age, the classical manifestations may also be absent. In general, the symptoms become more obvious as the condition worsens. The symptoms are usually related to an increase in body metabolism. Common symptoms are listed below:

Excessive sweating

Heat intolerance

Increased bowel movements

Tremor (usually a fine shake)

Nervousness; agitation

Rapid heart rate

Weight loss

Fatigue

Decreased concentration

Irregular and scant menstrual flow

In older patients, irregular heart rhythms and heart failure can occur. In its most severe form, untreated hyperthyroidism may result in "thyroid storm," a condition involving high blood pressure, fever, and heart failure. Mental changes such as confusion and delirium may also occur. In Graves' disease, there may be eye changes and skin changes in addition to the other findings listed above.

Hyperthyroidism can be suspected in patients with:

tremors,

excessive sweating,

smooth velvety skin,

fine hair,

a rapid heart rate, and

an enlarged thyroid gland.

How is hyperthyroidism treated?


Treating the symptoms

Antithyroid drugs

Radioactive iodine

Surgery treating symptoms

Treating the symptoms

There are medications available to immediately treat the symptoms caused by excessive thyroid hormones, such as a rapid heart rate. One of the main classes of drugs used to treat these symptoms is the beta-blockers . These medications counteract the effect of thyroid hormone to increase metabolism, but they do not alter the levels of thyroid hormones in the blood. A doctor determines which patients to treat based on a number of variables including the underlying cause of hyperthyroidism, the age of the patient, the size of the thyroid gland, and the presence of coexisting medical illnesses.