The thyroid gland is an organ located in the neck that produces two hormones. Situated just below the Adam’s apple, these two hormones enable the body to use and store energy. This function performed by the thyroid gland is also called metabolism.
Certain changes or disorders can occur in the thyroid gland. For example, an enlargement of the thyroid gland is called goiter, underactivity or complete lack of activity is called hypothyroidism, and overactivity is called hyperthyroidism. The formation of cancer cells in the gland is called thyroid cancer. A significant portion of our society has thyroid disease. Many people are unaware of the disease because it does not cause any symptoms.
Goiter is the enlargement of the thyroid gland. Goiter, sometimes accompanied by nodules, can manifest as swelling on one or both sides of the neck. If it’s a simple enlargement, it may not cause any symptoms. Large and nodular goiters, along with swelling, can cause shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, and sometimes pain. To learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment methods of goiter, you can read our article goiter.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism means that the thyroid hormone is insufficient or failing. It is the most common thyroid disease. The risk increases in women and in older age groups. Genetic predisposition plays an important role. Low thyroid hormone secretion causes fatigue. There is a decrease in mental and physical performance. Because it raises cholesterol, it can cause heart disease. To learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment methods of hypothyroidism, you can read our article hypothyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism, the opposite of hypothyroidism, means the overproduction of thyroid hormone. Excessive thyroid hormone production affects the heart, nervous system, and muscles. Symptoms may include muscle weakness, hand tremors, heart palpitations, fatigue, and irritability. The most important cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease. Graves’ disease, which arises due to genes and the immune system, causes the thyroid gland to produce more hormones than normal. A typical noticeable finding in these patients is that their eyes appear to bulge out. To learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment methods of hyperthyroidism, you can read our article hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid Cancers
It is a type of cancer that forms in the cells of the thyroid gland. It is not a very common type. It occurs in 6% of women and 1.5% of men. Many thyroid tumors are benign. There is a 5% chance of them being cancerous. Although the cause of thyroid cancer has not yet been definitively proven, excessive radiation is known to be the primary factor. To learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment methods of thyroid cancers, you can read our article thyroid cancer.
