Imbalanced Thyroid Function is a Syndrome of Many Diseases
If you are eating less but still gaining weight or if eating more but the built is very thin. There is a strong possibility of having thyroid disorder or thyroid disease. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ situated just below Adam’s Apple. Malfunction of the thyroid gland causes too many diseases.
Thyroid disorder can be in the form of Hypothyroidism or Hyperthyroidism which may effects our body systems badly. In other words, you can say that thyroid disorder is not a disease but a syndrome of many diseases.
How Does Thyroid Work
The pituitary gland is the master gland of our body that controls the functions of the thyroid gland. TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is released from Pituitary Gland. As a result, TSH stimulates the Thyroid gland to produce more Thyroid Hormones called T3 (Triiodothyronine) and T4 (Thyroxine).
In addition, Thyroid hormones are released from the thyroid gland and maintain the metabolic function of our body. If there is any disruption in the production of thyroid hormones from the thyroid gland. As a result, it causes hormonal imbalance in hour body.
The imbalance of thyroid hormones leads to various symptoms and diseases that’s why it’s called that thyroid disorder is not a disease but a syndrome of many diseases.
Also, Watch Video on Thyroid problems………..
Functions of Thyroid Hormones
The main function of the thyroid hormones is balancing the metabolic functions of our body. In addition, It affects almost every part of the body. Following are the main function of Thyroid Hormones (T3 and T4 Hormones). Most importantly, f the thyroid gland does not work properly, symptoms of thyroid disease appear.
- Helps in Protein Synthesis
- Metabolism of Fat, Carbohydrates, and Protein
- Activates Growth Hormones
- Promotes energy to the body
- Regulates body temperature
- Regulate heart rate ( Thyroid Disorders can cause Heart Symptoms and Failure )
Types of Thyroid Diseases
Hormonal imbalance and thyroid disorders can be divided into two types of diseases basis on the ability to work the gland. Moreover, thyroid function can be diagnosed on the basis of the level of the thyroid hormones in the blood. The deficiency of iodine is the main culprit to disrupt thyroid function. It can be classified into Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism. Consequently, symptoms appear on the basis of the type of the disease.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a disorder in which the thyroid gland is not able to make required Thyroid hormones (T3 and T4 hormones). Pituitary Gland releases more TSH in response to low T3 and T4 hormones in the blood. TSH activates the cells of the thyroid gland to produce more T3 and T4 hormones. The Production of Thyroid hormones is compromised if there is a deficiency of Iodine in the blood which leads to further demand for TSH. Iodine is an essential element to produce thyroid hormones.
The thyroid Gland is enlarged due to the high activity of the cells of the thyroid gland because of high TSH levels in the blood. The enlargement of the thyroid gland is called Goitre Disease.
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
The metabolic function of the body becomes sluggish and impacts all body functions, resulting in many symptoms and signs:
- Inability to tolerate cold (Feeling extreme cold)
- Lethargic and weakness
- Tiredness
- Weight gain and Obesity
- Low appetite
- Constipations
- Dry and rough skin
- Excessive hair fall
- Swelling on body and face (Puffiness on face)
- The heaviness of Voice (Hoarseness of voice)
- Growth retardation in children
- Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
- Lack of desire to work
- Irritability
- Excessive sleepiness
- Pregnancy Failure
- Lack of Libido (Low Sex desire)
- Irregular menses
- Delayed Puberty
- Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a disorder in which the thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones (T3 and T4 hormones) more than the requirement. Pituitary Gland suppresses the releases of TSH in response to high T3 and T4 hormones in the blood. There are high T4 & T4 levels and Low TSH levels in the blood. This happens because of an imbalance of thyroid function which can be due to many reasons such as Grave’s disease or Toxic Goitre.
Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism
- Heat intolerance (Inability to tolerate heat)
Exophthalmos (Bulged Eyes) - Too quick in action and completing the tasks
- The patient is very active and alert
- Excessive sweating (Especially in Palms)
- Increasing appetitive (Feeling very hunger)
- Weight Loss, even patient eats more
- Restlessness and anxiety
- Fast heart rate and pulse
- Irregular heartbeats
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) and Heart Attack
- Mood swings
- Protrusion of eyeballs (Enlarged eyeballs)
- Sleep deprivation (Insomnia)
- Menses irregularities
- Frequent diarrhea
- Hand tremors
- Warm palms and hands
- Facial hair growth in women
Thyroid Function Test
Thyroid function test includes T3, T4 and TSH tests which are done through blood. The overnight fasting blood sample is required to run a thyroid hormonal assay or thyroid function test.
How to Read Thyroid Function Test Report
The thyroid function test is also called thyroid profile or TFT. It can be read easily with the help of given test results references in thyroid function test. High TSH and Low T3, T4 levels indicate Hypothyroidism; and low TSH and high T3, T4 levels indicate hyperthyroidism.
High TSH and Low T3, T4 Hormones = HYPOTHYROIDISM (Underactive Thyroid)
Low TSH and High T3, T4 Hormones = HYPERTHYROIDISM (Overactive Thyroid)
Normal Range of Thyroid Function Test
Normal thyroid function is also called the Euthyroid state.
T3: 100 to 200 ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter of blood)
T4: 4.5 to 11.2 mcg/dL (micrograms per deciliter of blood)
TSH: 0.4 to 5.0 mIU/dL (milli-international units per litre)
Thyroid Disorder in pregnancy
Changes in the euthyroid state are very common during pregnancy which affects the mother and fetus. Either type of thyroid imbalance can occur in the pregnancy. Hypothyroidism is more common than hyperthyroidism in pregnancy. Thyroid disorder or deranged thyroid function test in pregnancy can lead to serious consequences for fetus and mother if left untreated.
Normal Levels of TSH during Pregnancy
First Trimester 0.6 to 3.4 mIU/L
Second Trimester 0.37 to 3.6 mIU/L
third Trimester 0.38 to 4.0 mIU/L
Normal Levels of T3 and T4 during Pregnancy
Trimester T3 (Total) T4 (Total)
First Trimester 0.9 to 2.51 ng/dL 7.31 to 15.00 mcg/dL
Second Trimester 1.99 to 2.87 ng/dL 8.92 to 17.38 mcg/dL
third Trimester 1.20 to 2.70 ng/dL 7.98 to 17.70 mcg/dL
Causes of Thyroid Disorder and Dysfunction
There are many reasons for thyroid dysfunction and imbalance of thyroid hormones in the blood. Few systemic diseases or thyroid glands’ diseases and deficiencies can cause hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
Causes of Hypothyroidism
- Iodine deficiency
- Goiter
- Autoimmune (Hashimoto’s Disease)
- Anxiety
Causes of Hyperthyroidism
- Excessive iodine consumption
- Grave’s Disease
- Toxic Multinodular Goitre
- Thyroiditis
How to Diagnose Thyroid Disorder Disease
- Thyroid Function Test
- Thyroid antibodies test
- Ultrasound Thyroid Gland
- CT scan Thyroid Gland
- MRI Thyroid Gland
Good Foods for Thyroid Disease
- Iron Rich Food
- Seafood such as fish to balance vitamin D3 levels
- Calcium-Rich Food
- Zinc Rich Food
- Selenium Rich Food
- Multivitamins
Treatment of Thyroid Disorder
The only treatment is the elimination of cause and hormonal replacement therapy of thyroid hormones. Do not take any medication without Doctor’s Advice. If you have any symptoms of the disease please do not ignore, and consult with your family physician or endocrinologist.
Dr. Musharraf Husain
