Thyroiditis is a general medical term that can refer to several different conditions that are responsible for thyroidal inflammation.
There are several different forms of thyroiditis, but the most common type is hashimoto's thyroiditis. other forms of thyroiditis include:
acute thyroiditis
postpartum thyroiditis
silent thyroiditis
and subacute thyroiditis.
Thyroiditis has two main forms, painful and painless.
Painful forms usually are associated with infections that lead to the swelling of the thyroid, such as acute thyroiditis, and usually cause pain in the jaw and throat.
Painless forms of thyroiditis, like hashimoto's thyroiditis, are usually related to the lowered functioning of the thyroid and are generally due to an autoimmune response.
The thyroid is responsible for creating the hormones that control metabolism, thyroxine (t4) and triiodothyronine (t3). the presence of too many of these hormones can lead to hyperthyroidism and too little can lead to hypothyroidism.
Thyroiditis is usually associated with secondary hypothyroidism, and one of the most common signs of thyroiditis is weight gain. however, there are several other indicators of this medical condition, and these indicators are similar to many other issues, so diagnosis is not always clear cut.
What are the symptoms of thyroid disorders and thyroiditis?
Because metabolism is affected, weight gain and loss are almost always symptoms of thyroiditis.
People often lose weight due to an increase in their metabolism if the thyroid is overactive, but many people with thyroiditis will gain weight due to a slowed metabolism and lowered production of t3 and t4. people with lowered thyroid hormone production also retain water, which contributes to weight gain.
Fluctuation of weight is not the only symptom of this condition.
People with this issue also suffer from fatigue and sometimes even depression. other symptoms included the inability to think clearly, dry skin and constipation.
Less common symptoms can include random aches and pains, along with swelling of the legs. other people suffering from this disease become sensitive to heat and cold, can develop reactive hypoglycemia and even suffer from hair loss. if the thyroiditis continues unchecked and becomes severe enough, it can lead to the heart rate and body temperature dropping and can even possibly lead to heart failure.
This is generally preceded by puffiness and swelling around the eyes.
On the other hand, if the thyroid is damaged, the hormone that the thyroid produces can begin to leak into the body, and create symptoms similar to that of hyperthyroidism. this is called thyrotoxicosis and symptoms include:
weight loss
anxiety
insomnia
and a fast heart rate.
The difference between hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis is that the thyroid gland is not overactive in the case of hyperthyroidism, but the thyroid is so damaged that it is leaking unregulated amounts of thyroid hormone.
How is thyroiditis treated?
As noted, there are several forms of thyroiditis, and there are a variety of factors that contribute to the development of the disease.
The cause of the condition plays a large role in thyroid treatment.
Generally, the most common form of treatment is to attempt to regulate the thyroid hormones in the body since the thyroid is no longer doing so. the most common prescriptions to regulate and replace the thyroid hormones in the body are levothyroxine (brand names: levothroid T4, levoxyl T4, synthroid T4, tirosint T4, unithroid T4) or desiccated thyroid extract (brand name: armour thyroid T4).
Many people who take these drugs will have to take them daily to regulate their T3 and T4 levels.
For people who experience swelling of the thyroid gland due to an infection, treatment is usually much simpler and does not require lifelong maintenance.
Once the infection, either bacterial or viral, has run its course, the thyroid return to normal function and the patient no longer needs treatment.
There are several different forms of thyroiditis, but the most common type is hashimoto's thyroiditis. other forms of thyroiditis include:
acute thyroiditis
postpartum thyroiditis
silent thyroiditis
and subacute thyroiditis.
Thyroiditis has two main forms, painful and painless.
Painful forms usually are associated with infections that lead to the swelling of the thyroid, such as acute thyroiditis, and usually cause pain in the jaw and throat.
Painless forms of thyroiditis, like hashimoto's thyroiditis, are usually related to the lowered functioning of the thyroid and are generally due to an autoimmune response.
The thyroid is responsible for creating the hormones that control metabolism, thyroxine (t4) and triiodothyronine (t3). the presence of too many of these hormones can lead to hyperthyroidism and too little can lead to hypothyroidism.
Thyroiditis is usually associated with secondary hypothyroidism, and one of the most common signs of thyroiditis is weight gain. however, there are several other indicators of this medical condition, and these indicators are similar to many other issues, so diagnosis is not always clear cut.
What are the symptoms of thyroid disorders and thyroiditis?
Because metabolism is affected, weight gain and loss are almost always symptoms of thyroiditis.
People often lose weight due to an increase in their metabolism if the thyroid is overactive, but many people with thyroiditis will gain weight due to a slowed metabolism and lowered production of t3 and t4. people with lowered thyroid hormone production also retain water, which contributes to weight gain.
Fluctuation of weight is not the only symptom of this condition.
People with this issue also suffer from fatigue and sometimes even depression. other symptoms included the inability to think clearly, dry skin and constipation.
Less common symptoms can include random aches and pains, along with swelling of the legs. other people suffering from this disease become sensitive to heat and cold, can develop reactive hypoglycemia and even suffer from hair loss. if the thyroiditis continues unchecked and becomes severe enough, it can lead to the heart rate and body temperature dropping and can even possibly lead to heart failure.
This is generally preceded by puffiness and swelling around the eyes.
On the other hand, if the thyroid is damaged, the hormone that the thyroid produces can begin to leak into the body, and create symptoms similar to that of hyperthyroidism. this is called thyrotoxicosis and symptoms include:
weight loss
anxiety
insomnia
and a fast heart rate.
The difference between hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis is that the thyroid gland is not overactive in the case of hyperthyroidism, but the thyroid is so damaged that it is leaking unregulated amounts of thyroid hormone.
How is thyroiditis treated?
As noted, there are several forms of thyroiditis, and there are a variety of factors that contribute to the development of the disease.
The cause of the condition plays a large role in thyroid treatment.
Generally, the most common form of treatment is to attempt to regulate the thyroid hormones in the body since the thyroid is no longer doing so. the most common prescriptions to regulate and replace the thyroid hormones in the body are levothyroxine (brand names: levothroid T4, levoxyl T4, synthroid T4, tirosint T4, unithroid T4) or desiccated thyroid extract (brand name: armour thyroid T4).
Many people who take these drugs will have to take them daily to regulate their T3 and T4 levels.
For people who experience swelling of the thyroid gland due to an infection, treatment is usually much simpler and does not require lifelong maintenance.
Once the infection, either bacterial or viral, has run its course, the thyroid return to normal function and the patient no longer needs treatment.
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