Thyroid DiseaseBy Brandi Dixon

What is the thyroid?

The thyroid is a small gland, shaped like a butterfly, located in the lower part of your neck. The function of the gland is to secrete hormones. The main hormones released by the thyroid are triiodothyronine, abbreviated as T3, and thyroxin, abbreviated as T4. These thyroid hormones deliver energy to cells of the body.

What Diseases and Conditions Affect the Thyroid?

Hypothyroidism- An underactive thyroid.Hyperthyroidism- An overactive thyroid.Goiter- An enlarged thyroid.Thyroid Nodules- Lumps in the thyroid

gland.Thyroid Cancer- Malignant thyroid nodules

or tissues.Thyroiditis- Inflammation of the thyroid.

Hypothyroidism

When the thyroid gland is underactive, improperly formed at birth, surgically removed all or in part, or becomes incapable of producing enough thyroid hormone, a person is said to be hypothyroid. One of the most common cause of hypothyroidism is the autoimmune disease called Hasimoto’s disease, in which antibodies gradually target the thyroid and destroy its ability to produce thyroid hormone.

This is a person with Hosimoto’s disease it causes the eyes to bulge out of the sockets.

Hyperthyroidism

When the thyroid gland becomes overactive and produces too much thyroid hormone, a person is said to be hyperthyroid. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is the autoimmune condition known as Grave’s disease, where antibodies target the gland and cause it to speed up hormone production.

Autoimmune Thyroid Disease

Autoimmune disease refers to a condition where the body’s natural ability to differentiate between it’s tissues, organs and glands, vs. outside bacteria, viruses or pathogens, become disrupted. This causes the immune system to wrongly mount an attack on the affected area, by producing antibodies. In the case of this disease, antibodies either gradually destroy the thyroid, or make it overactive.

Goiter/Thyroid Nodules

Sometimes the thyroid becomes enlarged- due to Hashimoto’s disease, Graves’ disease, nutritional deficiencies, or other thyroid imbalances. When the thyroid become enlarged, this is known as a goiter.

This is a person who has an enlarged goiter/nodule that is cancerous

Thyroid Cancer

A small percentage of thyroid nodules are cancerous. While thyroids cancer is a rare cancer, it’s on the rise.

Thyroiditis

When the thyroid becomes inflammed , due to bacterial or viral illness, this is known as thyroiditis.

Treatments

Surgery is usually performed for thyroid cancer, for some cases of goiter or nodule, and less commonly, as a hyperthyroidism treatment.

Thyroid drugs are an important part of treatment for many patients.

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