Written By: Debjani Arora | Updated : May 25, 2015 10:12 AM IST
Listed here are the different types of thyroid diseases and the underlying reason for the same.
1. Hypothyroidism: This condition is denoted by a dip in the thyroid hormones in the blood. It happens if one has an underactive thyroid or glands that control the thyroid functions, though there are other causes also that can lead to this condition. It is usually noticed that hypothyroidism affects women more than men and gets worse as one ages. Also read how to tackle hypothyroidism during pregnancy.
Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease.
Some of the common causes that could lead to a low level of thyroid hormone in the system and give rise to hypothyroidism are:
This is an autoimmune disease that attacks the tissues of the thyroid gland. It is often seen that women suffer from this autoimmune condition more than men and can have this condition has an underlying genetic link and hence runs in the families. The actual cause of this condition has not been ascertained yet.
This refers to a condition where the thyroid gland remains inflamed resulting in less production of thyroid hormone. This condition often affects women post pregnancy. This phase is usually followed after a hyperthyroid phase and stays up to six months. Thyroid functioning can go for a toss in even a healthy woman post pregnancy, though such troubles can lead to other postpartum problems, hypothyroidism due to thryroiditis is one of them. Also read thyroid problems during pregnancy 5 facts you should about.
Radioactive treatment for hyperthyroidism
If one is treated for hyperthyroidism with radioactive therapy, the treatment while correcting the condition can lead to an unpleasant outcome underactive thyroid. The reason being the therapy might have considerably eroded the gland to be able to produce enough of the hormone for optimal functioning. Usually after a radioactive treatment the thyroid gland tends to be under-productive for the first few months. But if the gland fails to function as needed, hypothyroidism could be a probable outcome. In case the gland has been removed to treat the same, again it can lead to hypothyroidism. Also read 5 tests to check your thyroid functions.
Malfunctioning of the other important glands in the system
At times one might have a perfect healthy thyroid but can still suffer from the problem of hypothyroidism, if the glands that regulate the function of thyroid goes haywire. A malfunctioning in the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland can make thyroid go inactive and secrete less of the thyroid hormones. This can happen due to an illness or an injury to the brain.
Medications taken to treat hyperthyroidism
Sometimes medications that are prescribed to control hyperthyroidism can lead to hypothyroidism making the thyroid gland function sub-optimally.
Iodine deficiency
A diet low in iodine has been seen to be a major cause of hypothyroidism in adults. It is noticed that areas that have low sources of iodine have more number of people suffering from this condition.
2. Hyperthyroidism: In this condition there is an overdrive of the thyroid hormone in the blood due to an over active thyroid gland that secretes the hormones in abundance.
Also read about tips to deal with hyperthyroidism during pregnancy.
Some of the common causes that leads to hyperthyroidism in the systems are:
This is the most common reason that causes hyperthyroidism in adults. This is also is an auto immune disease that makes the thyroid gland go on an overdrive to secrete more thyroid hormone. In Grave s disease the body s immune system releases antibodies that mimic the TSH and hence produces a lot of thyroid hormone which is released into the blood stream.
As one ages, the thyroid gets lumps on it which remains non-functional or inactive. But in rare cases these lumps might start to function on their own, and secrete more of thyroid hormone without the initiation of the pituitary gland. Sometimes there can be a single lump or there can also be a possibility of multiple lumps growing on the thyroid.
Sometimes a medical condition like a tumor in the pituitary gland can initiate excess secretion of TSH that could lead to hyper secretion of the thyroid hormone leading to the condition.
Medications taken to treat hypothyroidism
Excessive intake of medications that initiates thyroid in producing optimum amount of the hormones can lead to this condition. Often intake of medication and regularization of the same doesn t happen if the patient fails to adhere to follow up routines after being prescribed drugs for the treatment.
Thyroiditis
If the inflammation of the thyroid gland leads to abnormal amounts of hormones into the system, it can lead to hyperthyroidism. Also read facts about thyroid gland you should know about.
3. Thyroid enlargement: In this condition thyroid disease occurs due to the structural changes in the gland like an enlargement or nodules appearing on the gland. There can be benign cysts developed or cancerous one in form of nodules. Enlargement of the thyroid gland is often termed as goiter. Goiter can at times be unnoticeable too. At other times, it can lead to abnormal enlargement that might need surgical removal of the organ.
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