If you have been recently diagnosed with thyroid disease then you might be aware of the fact that the thyroid gland of your body is underactive. You might also be aware of the symptoms of this condition which are forgetfulness, constipation, and tiredness. The symptoms might be a little frustrating, however, with the perfect treatment; you can manage them.

What is hypothyroidism?
To be explained briefly, hypothyroidism is a condition when the thyroid gland is not able to make sufficient hormones in order to function normally. It is important for you to know that the thyroid gland in an individual controls the different aspects of the body’s metabolism. So, if the hormone production of this gland slows down, it will slow down metabolism which will result in weight gain. There is no cure for this condition but there are medicines that can improve the thyroid function of the body, restore levels of hormone and give the patients a normal life.

What is hyperthyroidism?
As is suggested by the name, hyperthyroidism generally takes place when the body makes excessive thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine, thyroxine and becomes overactive. The condition generally takes place in three major ways and they are:

• Graves’s disease – an autoimmune disorder
• Thyroiditis – thyroid inflammation
• Thyroid nodule that results in the production of excessive T4 hormones

Excessive thyroid hormones entering the blood can result in discomfort and pain for the sufferer. This can also happen due to pregnancy but the condition is generally short-lived.

What are the main causes of an underactive thyroid gland?
Some of the causes of this condition include:

• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis – a certain autoimmune disorder is one of the main causes of an underactive thyroid gland. This is a condition where the body attacks its own immune system. With time, the attack results in the thyroid stopping its production of hormones. This is one condition that is more common in women than in men.
• Other causes of an underactive thyroid gland include a low-iodine diet, genetics and radiation exposure due to cancer treatment.
• Removing the thyroid surgically and certain medicines for treating heart issues, psychiatric conditions and cancer can also result in an underactive thyroid gland.

What are the symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland?

• Fatigue
• Unexplained loss of weight and facing trouble in losing weight
• Dry hair and hair loss
• Depression
• Dry skin
• Goiter or swelling of the thyroid gland
• Muscle cramps
• Slow heart rate
• Brittle nails
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Irregular period
• Constipation
• Sensitivity to cold

What are the causes of hyperthyroidism?
Main causes of the condition include:

• Graves’ disease – this is an autoimmune disorder that stimulates thyroid hormones T3 and T4
• Thyroid Nodules
• Swollen thyroid

What are the symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland?
Important signs to watch out for hyperthyroidism include:

• Sweating spells
• Shakiness
• Unexplained weight loss
• Racing heartbeat
• Feeling anxious or weird
• Frequently feeling hot
• Hair loss or fine hair
• Red and itchy skin
• Frequent bowel movements

The main difference between these two conditions lies in the levels of the hormone produced by the thyroid gland. An underactive thyroid gland results in a decrease in hormone levels while an overactive gland leads to high levels of hormone production. The treatment procedures for both the conditions are also a bit different. There are different medicines used for treating an underactive and an overactive thyroid gland. So, it is important for you to consult a doctor if you identify any of the symptoms of the conditions mentioned above.