wellness Post

Treating Thyroid Disease

According to the American Thyroid Association, approximately 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease. It is also seen that women are five to eight times more likely to develop thyroid problems than men. The thyroid gland located, located in the front part of the neck, produces hormones that help regulate numerous metabolic processes throughout the body and affects body functions like energy level and heart rate. This important gland produces two important hormones-Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4). Types of Thyroid Disease The two specific kinds of thyroid diseases include hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones. Some of the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism include extreme fatigue, depression, anxiety, weight gain, and excessive menstrual bleeding in women. It is noticed that hypothyroidism affects more women than men. Hyperthyroidism is another form of thyroid diseases in which the thyroid gland produces excess hormones. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include unexplained weight loss, muscle weakness, vision problems, disturbed sleep, and nervousness. The doctor can diagnose hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism by checking the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the blood. It is a chemical that triggers hormone production in the thyroid. In the case of hypothyroidism, higher quantities of TSH are circulated in the blood, whereas in hyperthyroidism, TSH levels are found to be below the normal level.