Thyroid Dysfunction – Hypo and Hyperthyroidism

The thyroid is one of the lesser understood organs in the body that few people ever think about until something goes wrong with it. However, the thyroid is a highly important organ as well, responsible for producing the hormones that regulate heart and muscle function, digestive function, brain development, and bone maintenance.

Along with being a highly important organ, the thyroid is also an organ that is prone to problems, and more than 12% of people in the United States will develop a thyroid condition at some point in their life according to data from Thyroid.org.

This makes lab testing designed to detect thyroid conditions as early as possible an essential healthcare service. Below, we’ll cover the two most common types of thyroid conditions and the symptoms that they create in order to help you decide if scheduling an appointment with St. Jude Labs for thyroid testing is the right choice for you.

The Two Types of Thyroid Dysfunction – Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism

Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are the two main types of thyroid dysfunction, and they exist at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of the issues that they cause. Hyperthyroidism is defined as an overactive thyroid that produces too much thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism, meanwhile, refers to underactive thyroid that does not produce enough.

Hyperthyroidism Symptoms and Causes

Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

• Rapid heart rate
• Weight loss
• Nervousness
• Irritability
• Trouble sleeping
• Brittle skin
• Muscle weakness
• Weaker and/or less frequent periods

As for what causes hyperthyroidism, Graves’ disease is listed as the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease where the immune system falsely identifies the thyroid as a foreign body and attacks it, causing the thyroid to grow and become overactive. Along with Graves’ disease, other common causes of hyperthyroidism include:

• Toxic nodular goiters, defined as small masses that grow inside the thyroid
• Inflammation of the thyroid due to a virus, known as thyroiditis
• Postpartum thyroiditis
• Taking too much thyroid hormone

Hypothyroidism Symptoms and Causes

Hypothyroidism is the more common of the two types of thyroid dysfunction and comes with common symptoms such as:

• Weight gain
• Constipation
• Memory issues
• Fatigue
• Dry skin
• Cold sensitivity

One of the most common causes of hypothyroidism is when the thyroid is removed or otherwise destroyed for medical reasons. Thyroid cancer that is treated via radiation, for example, can destroy large portions of the thyroid and leave it unable to produce enough thyroid hormones. In some cases, the thyroid is removed entirely and must be completely replaced with medication.

Along with medical procedures that cause hypothyroidism by damaging or removing the thyroid, another common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s thyroiditis – an autoimmune condition that attacks and destroys cells within the thyroid.

Other causes of hypothyroidism include:

• Conditions such as Sheehan’s syndrome that affect the pituitary gland
• Radiation treatments for other head or neck cancers aside from thyroid cancer that inadvertently damages the thyroid
• Congenital hypothyroidism, or hypothyroidism that is present at birth
• A side effect of certain medications such as amiodarone (Pacerone), lithium, and anti-epilepsy drugs

Schedule an Appointment for Thyroid Testing From St. Jude Labs

If you are experiencing any symptoms of either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, it is important to schedule an appointment to have your thyroid hormone levels tested as soon as possible. Along with creating plenty of concerning problems on their own, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can both be consequences of even more serious underlying conditions, making it essential to diagnose and treat thyroid dysfunction in a timely manner.

Thankfully, thyroid hormone testing is one of the testing procedures that we are proud to offer at St. Jude Labs. By analyzing the amount of thyroid hormones present in the body, the testing experts at St. Jude Labs are able to diagnose both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism with a single test. If you are concerned that your thyroid isn’t working as it should, we at St. Jude Labs want to help! Be sure to contact us today to schedule an appointment for thyroid testing at our state-of-the-art Maryland facility.