What is thyroid? How many types are there? Abnormal symptoms and complications of thyroid disease

Thyroid disease is a disease caused by abnormal thyroid function. The thyroid gland is responsible for producing thyroid hormones to control the functioning of various organs of the body, control heart rate and pulse to be in normal range, control food metabolism and control body weight.

If this hormone malfunctions, it will affect the body’s metabolism, including directly affecting the heart and brain.

Interesting facts about thyroid

• What is thyroid disease?
• How many types of thyroid disease are there?
• Hyperthyroidism or toxic thyroiditis
• Hypothyroidism
• Non-toxic thyroiditis or goiter
• Thyroid risk screening price
• How to check your thyroid gland yourself
• Complications of thyroid disease
• Thyroid test: What does it check?
• Thyroid Clinic

Thyroid hormones are responsible for controlling the metabolism and functioning of all body systems, including the cardiovascular system, brain system, intestinal system, muscle system, and reproductive system, to be within normal limits.

How many types of thyroid disease are there?

Thyroid disease or abnormalities in the amount of thyroid hormone in the body can be divided into 3 major groups of diseases, which have different symptoms:

1. Hyperthyroidism or Thyrotoxicosis
2. Hypothyroidism
3. Euthyroid goiter

Hyperthyroidism or toxic thyroiditis

Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the body produces too much thyroid hormone .Resulting in the metabolism system and the functioning of various systems being excessively abnormal.

Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism

• Abnormal neck size or a palpable lump in the neck area
• Unusual weight loss but eating normally or eating more
• Sweating a lot, feeling hot, mood swings, easily irritated
• Heart palpitations, heart palpitations
• Bulging eyes
• Frequent diarrhea, irregular menstruation

Causes of hyperthyroidism

• Hyperthyroidism can be caused by many diseases. When a patient visits a doctor, the doctor will perform additional tests to find the correct cause and provide different treatments for each disease.
• Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. It is an autoimmune disease that causes the thyroid gland to overproduce hormones.
• The cause of Graves’ disease or hyperthyroidism is mostly congenital and is related to genetics in only about 30% of cases. There may be more risk factors in patients who smoke, eat foods that are high in iodine, stress, and pregnant women.
• Women are more likely to suffer from the disease than men.
• There are other causes that are found but less frequently, such as toxic adenoma, toxic multinodular goiter, thyroid cancer (CA thyroid), thyroiditis, etc.
• It may be caused by taking medications or supplements that contain thyroid hormones, such as weight loss supplements.

Treatment of hyperthyroidism

• Graves’ disease can be treated with medication, radioactive iodine, or surgery. The response is quite good and a complete cure is possible, but annual blood tests to check thyroid hormone levels are required.
• For causes from other diseases, treatment methods will vary depending on the diagnosis.

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Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the body has too little thyroid hormone , which causes the body’s metabolism and various systems to function abnormally.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

• Easily tired, doing things slowly, not feeling energetic, often feeling sleepy, often forgetful
• Unusual weight gain, but eating the same amount or less
• Feeling cold, unusually dry skin and hair
• Constipation, irregular menstruation
• Palpitations, abnormally slow heartbeat
• If it occurs in children, it may cause short stature and slow learning.

Causes of hypothyroidism

• Autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis)
• Iodine deficiency or eating foods low in iodine
• After thyroid surgery or after treatment of hyperthyroidism
• Congenital

How do you know if you have hypothyroidism?

• In cases where there are suspected symptoms of hyperthyroidism, confirmation can be obtained by performing a blood test to check thyroid function, which consists of several blood test results for interpretation.
• Blood test results show that thyroid levels are abnormally low.

Treatment of hypothyroidism

• It is most often treated with thyroid hormone replacement therapy.

Causes of nontoxic thyroiditis

• Autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis)
  
• Iodine deficiency or eating foods low in iodine
  
• Thyroid nodules or thyroid cancer

How do you know if you have non-toxic hyperthyroidism?

• Initially, the doctor will take a blood test to check the thyroid hormone levels. The blood test results will show that the thyroid hormone levels are normal.
• In some cases, additional tests may be required, such as an ultrasound or thyroid biopsy. It is recommended that you consult your doctor again.

Treatment of non-toxic thyroiditis

• Most cases can be treated with low-dose thyroid medication to reduce neck size, depending on your doctor and the cause of your enlarged thyroid.

Thyroid risk screening cost

Program 1: Thyroid risk screening, price 1,550 baht

1. Physical Examination by a Doctor
   
2. Thyroid function test Free T3
   
3. Thyroid function test Free T4
   
4. Thyroid function test (TSH)

Program 2: Thyroid risk screening, price 1,990 baht

1. Physical Examination by a Doctor
   
2. Thyroid function test Free T3
   
3. Thyroid function test Free T4
   
4. Thyroid function test T3 Total
   
5. Thyroid function test T4 Total
   
6. Thyroid function test (TSH)

note

• Program 1 for those who have never had it, have unclear symptoms, and want to undergo a preliminary diagnosis.
  
• Program 2 is for those who have many or severe symptoms or who want to check the function of all thyroid glands.

How to check your thyroid gland yourself

You can easily feel your thyroid gland by looking into a mirror. Follow these steps:

1. Stand or sit up straight, do not tilt or twist your neck.
2. Look straight into the mirror and look at the thyroid, which is located in the middle of your neck, between your Adam’s apple and your collarbone.
3. Swallow your saliva. If your throat is dry, drink some water. This will help you see your thyroid gland more clearly when you swallow because it moves with your swallowing.
4. Gently feel the thyroid to see if there is a lump or goiter. Does it hurt? If you can’t see and feel the thyroid gland, it means it is normal and not enlarged. This method can also be used to examine the thyroid gland for others. However, if you are not sure after the examination, you should consult a doctor.

Hypothyroidism

• Slow development or disability in children, depression, mood swings, sexual dysfunction, high blood fat. If left untreated until severe hypothyroidism occurs called myxedema coma, it can cause slow breathing, low blood pressure, heart failure, and death.

Thyroid enlargement or goiter

• If the lump is very large, it may press on the vocal cords and airway.
• If left untreated and becomes thyroid cancer, the cancer will metastasize and cause death.

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Thyroid test: What does it check?

There are several methods of thyroid testing, depending on your symptoms and diagnosis. A blood test to check your hormone levels is the easiest and most convenient method, and can be done at a clinic.

Additional tests such as ultrasound, biopsy , or radiological examination are more complicated and require hospitalization and consultation with a specialist. They are not used for preliminary screening.

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For those who want to screen for thyroid or treat thyroid, Intouch Medical Clinic, Thyroid Clinic is open every Monday – Sunday.

Interesting articles

• Strict adherence! When you have thyroid disease, follow your doctor’s advice.
• Frequently asked questions about thyroid disease
• Thyroid disease in pregnant women: Know it first! Be able to cope in time!
• Thyroid puncture! For diagnosis of thyroid disease

Nattawadee Sriborisut ,M.D.
General Practitioner

Last updated: 28/08/2023

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