Thyroid Disease: Definition and 3 Types

Thyroid Disease Definition

Thyroid disease is a disorder caused by deformities or function of the thyroid gland. This disease is more common in women and not an infectious disease.

The thyroid gland is a gland located in the neck and serves to produce thyroid hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism. Disorders of the thyroid gland and thyroid hormones will cause symptoms of thyroid disease that varies, depending on the type and cause.

Thyroid disease occurs when the thyroid gland  change in shape, as well as producing too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) or too much (hyperthyroidism). Changes in the shape of the thyroid gland itself can be caused by mumps, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer.

Thyroid disease types

Hyperthyroidism

Symptoms of this disease are divided into two, namely general symptoms and symptoms specific to the organs of the body where this thyroid hormone works.

Common symptoms of the condition are not resistant to hot air, fatigue easily, enlarged neck, weight loss, frequent hunger, frequent bowel movements.

Meanwhile, specific symptoms of this condition include:

• Digestive system: overeating, thirst, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, enlarged spleen.
• Reproductive system: menstrual cycle disorders, decreased libi**do, infertility, gynecomastia in men.
• Skin: excessive sweating, wet skin, hair loss.
• Psychic and nervous: unstable, irritability, difficulty sleeping, hands shaking.
• Heart: heart palpitations, heart rhythm disorders, hypertension, heart failure.
• Muscle and bone systems: fatigue, bone pain, osteoporosis.

In this condition caused by Graves’ disease, other symptoms are usually found, such as swelling in the shin of the foot, protruding eyeballs, decreased vision, double vision and sores in the cornea of the eye.

Hypothyroidism

Symptoms of this disease that are in the neck are often caused by too little hormone produced (hypothyroidism). Symptoms can vary, depending on the severity. However, in general, the symptoms of this disease tend to develop slowly, often over several years.

At first, you may not be aware of hypothyroid symptoms, such as fatigue and weight gain. However, the longer this condition will make your metabolic process continue to slow down. If this happens, you’ll feel more and more obvious symptoms.

Symptoms of this condition may include fatigue, more sensitive to cold air, constipation, dry skin, swollen face, hoarseness, weakened muscles, increased cholesterol levels, muscle pain, stiffness, swollen or stiff joints, irregular menstrual periods and feel heavier, thinning hair, slowed heart rate, depression, memory impairment.

If hypothyroidism is not treated, the signs and symptoms will get worse. Stimulation of the gland to release more hormones can cause the thyroid gland to swell (goiter).

In addition, you will also become forgetful, slow in thinking, or feel stressed.

Ongoing hypothyroidism, otherwise known as myxedema, is rare, but when this condition occurs it can be life-threatening. Symptoms include low blood pressure, decreased breathing, decreased body temperature, slow response and even coma. In extreme cases, myxedema can be fatal.

Read more:
How To Lose Weight With Hypothyroidism

Swelling of the thyroid gland

Swelling of the thyroid gland in the neck can be known as mumps or goiter, usually causing no pain. Other symptoms of mumps depend on the thyroid disease that is the cause. Whether it’s hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

Characteristics when your body has neck swelling due to hypothyroid conditions, among others:

• Limp
• Weight gain with decreased appetite
• Can’t stand the cold
• Dry skin and hair loss
• Often feels sleepy
• Constipation (difficulty defecating)
• Emotions are unstable and often forget
• Decreased vision function
• Decreased hearing function

Meanwhile, in the characteristics of the thyroid gland that has swelling due to hyperthyroid conditions, the characteristics are the opposite, among others:

• Weight loss
• Can’t stand the heat
• Feelings of anxiety
• Often feels nervous
• Tremors (unnoticed vibrations of the limbs, usually most clearly visible on the hands)
• Hyperactive.

In goiter, to find out if hypothyroid or hyperthyroid conditions are found, follow-up examination is needed to check the levels of hormones produced by the thyroid gland in the neck. Mumps require medical treatment, ranging from taking thyroid gland medication to surgery. Goiter can’t go away on its own.