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What Are The Symptoms And Treatments of Thyroid Disease

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Thyroid Disease Symptoms and Treatments

When I was asked to write an article on "thyroid disease", I took a very deep breath. The task seemed daunting. As any Endocrinologist (hormone specialist) knows, there are many subtopics within this giant topic, and an article like this could go on for a hundred pages! So, once I caught my breath, I decided to simply design this article to present a "rough guide" to the thyroid. This article will be an outline or introduction to many conditions that involve the thyroid gland. As you read through this, you will find a number of links that will take you to more in-depth articles dealing with the specific topic in question.
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck just below the Adams apple. The gland wraps around the windpipe (trachea) and has a shape that is similar to a butterfly formed by two wings (lobes) and attached by a middle part (isthmus). The thyroid gland works like a tiny factory that uses iodine (mostly from the diet in foods such as seafood and salt) to produce thyroid hormones. These hormones help to regulate the body's metabolism and effects processes, such as growth and other important functions of the body.
I Have Thyroid Disease. What Are The Symptoms And Treatments
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Thyroid Disease Symptoms

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

Thyroid Disease Treatments

Thyroid Disease SymptomsWhat is the treatment for thyroid disease?

Depending on the specifics of the disease being treated, medications, surgery or radioactive therapy may be used as treatment modalities.

Medications

Medications may be used to treat hyperthyroidism to reduce the production of thyroid hormone, its release from the gland and/or to treat the signs and symptoms that occur in hyperthyroidism such as a rapid heart beat. In hypothyroidism, synthetic thyroid hormone is used to replace the inadequacy of thyroid hormone. Occasionally, in the case of a large goiter, Thyroid hormone replacement may be given in small doses in an attempt to shrink the gland size. It should be mentioned that there are "natural" thyroid compounds available on the market. These vary in their effects and in their dosing and are beyond the scope of this discussion. Steroids and other anti-inflammatory medications, such as NSAIDs, may also be used to reduce inflammation of inflamed thyroid glands.

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Thyroid Disease in the News

Women prone to thyroid problems, say experts
After urine and blood tests the doctor said that its time to check her thyroid secretion. I could not believe that even a teenaged girl can suffer from thyroid," said Pinky Mishra, her mother. Thyroid is a large ductless gland in the human body below ...
MKRMS seminar Experts call for thyroid test of newborns
LAHORE: Medical experts at a public awareness seminar suggested screening of the newborn's thyroid within first week of birth, saying early diagnosis can save children from many troubles in future life. Those suffering from thyroid disease, they said, ...
Could You Have a Thyroid Disorder?
In honor of World Thyroid Day (Friday, May 25th), Nolan has teamed up with Dr. Alan Christianson, NMD (as seen on CBS's The Doctors), who is also the co-author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Thyroid Disease. They're raising awareness for a disease ...
American Thyroid Association Marks 5th Annual World Thyroid Day
During WTD, which was established in 2008, events are held all over the world to stimulate awareness of thyroid disease, educate the public and influence public policy. Thyroid diseases are on the rise worldwide. Iodine deficiency and related disorders ...
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My name is Daniel Legal and my background is in internet markting. My current focus is on a website called LemonFree.com. LemonFree is a free car classifieds... more »

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