Thursday, November 12th 2009

By Laura McGnie

This semester, there are many health concerns that students have been worrying about. But often, focusing on one problem—say swine flu—can cause us to neglect our bodies and ignore other important indicators of health. Although some symptoms, like gaining weight, feeling drained, or feeling sad, may seem like a normal part of a university student’s life, together they could also indicate a larger health problem relating to one’s thyroid gland.

The thyroid is a butterfly shaped endocrine gland situated in the lower front of the neck. As the largest endocrine gland, it regulates bodily functions by producing thyroid hormones, T3 and T4, which are transported throughout the body in the bloodstream. These hormones control many aspects of our metabolism as they regulate the speed at which the body produces protein, burns energy, and responds to other hormones. A healthy, functioning thyroid, therefore, keeps a person warm and helps to maintain a healthy body weight. Other organs, such as the heart and brain, also rely on the thyroid hormones for proper functioning. The thyroid controls the speed of bodily processes, meaning that most cells respond to thyroid hormone with an increase in the rate at which they normally function.

A poorly functioning or unhealthy thyroid can have significant affects on a person’s weight, mood, and energy levels. Although there are various health issues associated with one’s thyroid, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are the two most common among younger populations.

Hyperthyroidism is caused by an overproduction and distribution of thyroid hormone. In most cases the entire gland overproduces the hormone due to an immune deficiency in which the patient’s immune system attacks his or her thyroid. This form of hyperthyroidism, known as Grave’s disease, occurs in women more often than men, and is generally found in younger populations around the age of 30. Additional causes of hyperthyroidism include inflammation of the thyroid gland, known as thyroiditis, as well as the loss of hormone-releasing regulatory mechanisms in a single thyroid nodule.

While a person may develop hyperthyroidism for various reasons, its signs (what a physician can measure) and symptoms (what a patient feels) tend to remain constant. Hyperthyroidism is typically characterized by weight loss, heat intolerance, insomnia, fatigue, fast and/or palpitating heart, increased bowel movements, muscle weakness, and hair loss. Generally, people overlook symptoms of hyperthyroidism until they become severe. These symptoms have a gradual onset, so a hyperthyroid can go undiagnosed and untreated for months. Additionally, certain symptoms tend to be absent in older populations, who may only lose weight or suffer from depression. As a result, detection in these groups may pose specific challenges. Yet, once suspected, diagnosing hyperthyroidism is generally easy using blood tests.

Treatment for hyperthyroidism also varies depending on the case, but in general, once diagnosed this disorder can be effectively treated. Treatment options include anti-thyroid drugs that prevent the thyroid from producing hormones; radioactive iodine, which targets and kills thyroid cells; and partial or total removal of the thyroid gland.

In contrast to hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism is another endocrinal problem that results from insufficient production of thyroid hormones. Overall, hypothyroidism is a relatively common disorder that affects millions in North American. There are two common causes of hypothyroidism. The first is a result of previous or current inflammation of the thyroid gland. Similar to hyperthyroidism, this inflammation is often related to immune response within the individual. Previous medical treatment is the second common cause of hypothyroidism. Many thyroid problems result in the partial or total removal of the gland, meaning there often are not enough cells left to produce the body’s required level of thyroid hormones. Hypothyroidism has other causes, such as a poor functioning pituitary gland or radioactive iodine therapy, but many of these are much less common.

Due to the thyroid’s important role in maintaining metabolism, people lacking thyroid hormones normally show symptoms associated with a slow metabolism, such as weight gain, difficulty losing weight, and intolerance of the cold. Additional symptoms include weakness, fatigue, dry skin, constipation, depression, memory loss, irritability, and decreased libido. Women may also experience abnormal menstrual cycles.

As with hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism is often easily diagnosed through blood tests and treated through drug therapies. With treatment, most patients recover completely. Yet, in rare cases this process can be complicated, and symptoms of hypothyroidism can worsen, resulting in severe depression or heart failure. Should you have health concerns relating to the symptoms mentioned above, consult with your doctor and voice your concerns.

Tags: Grave's disease, hormones, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, metabolism, pituitary gland, radioactive iodine, thyroid