Your body needs the presence of a thyroid gland. This butterfly-shaped organ is exactly located below the Adam’s apple. It functions in different ways. It normalizes metabolism, stabilizes mood, balances the energy of the body, and steadily keeps your heart beating.
The thyroid gland produces hormones that convert calcium for bone health. The abnormality in your thyroid gland, through secretion or function, is called the thyroid problem. If your thyroid isn’t functioning, it affects how your organs work.
Thyroid-related problems have troubled health professionals for many centuries. In the 1800s, experts described people with thyroid problems.
People with thyroid issues are described as having tremors, experiencing weight loss, and bulging eyes. Today, we call these the symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
The medical professionals during the late modern period noted certain experiences, such as the cold feeling, sudden weight gain, and struggles with fatigue. These descriptions are matched with the symptoms of hypothyroidism.
These two hormonal conditions are the common disorders affecting people worldwide. These conditions pertain to problems related to the thyroid.
Let’s differentiate hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Discuss the reason why knowing these conditions matters.
The Difference between Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism
To know what causes these two hormonal conditions, let’s first identify their similarities and differences. Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are both hormonal problems, specifically affecting the function of your thyroid glands.
These conditions are both caused by autoimmune diseases, affecting mood stability, and may lead to irregular menstrual periods for women.
Their symptoms can overlap simultaneously; other causes for these conditions include inflammation and iodine levels from your diet.
However, these conditions have significant differences. Your thyroid functions like your body’s engine speed control, which affects the overall stability of your body’s circulation.
Hyperthyroidism is a condition known for the rapid production of hormones. This condition flooded your organs because the thyroid produces many hormones.
Hypothyroidism is known for the slow production of hormones. This condition is when the thyroid does not produce more hormones that is sufficient to keep up the organ’s circulation.
People who are diagnosed with thyroid problems can be positive for either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. However, some can be positive for both conditions, but they can feel the symptoms alternately.
Since these conditions have overlapping symptoms, people who are diagnosed with both cannot feel the symptoms simultaneously. There could be times when the thyroid produces much, but later on produces a little hormone.
This can both sabotage the development and disrupt the stable hormonal flow of the body. Once the thyroid is affected, your body will experience different effects and speeds.
Imagine a pilot driving the plane in both too slow and too fast movements. If it’s too fast, the passengers may be overwhelmed. The plane is vulnerable to traffic-related risks if it’s too slow. That’s how we liken the effects of both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism to your body.
The Root Causes and Effects of These Thyroid Conditions
The two thyroid conditions have different root causes. It can be attributed to genetic links, nutrient deficiency, dietary reasons, or others.
So why do these conditions happen to someone? Here’s how either of the two affects you.
If you are diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, your thyroid gland is producing much more hormone faster than its normal pace.
Hyperthyroidism is commonly caused by an autoimmune disease, such as Graves’ disease. This is when your immune system taps the thyroid to produce excess hormones.
Another cause for the hyperthyroidism is the high iodine intake present in your diet or food supplements. The thyroid nodules themselves cause the production of excess hormones.
The excess hormones in every organ are not beneficial. It beats the heart faster, increases the metabolism, spikes the heart rate, and is always in the “fight or flight” mode. Consequently, this condition makes your hair thin, your eyes bulge, and you have trouble sleeping.
Meanwhile, hypothyroidism is a condition with an opposite effect from hyperthyroidism. This condition is due to the lack of hormonal production from your thyroid.
The condition is commonly caused by an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. It is when your immune system weakens your thyroid through damaging the organ.
Other causes of hypothyroidism are radiation exposure, iodine deficiency in the diet, or thyroid surgery. If you are diagnosed with this condition, it is when the thyroid hormonal production is slower, making your body progress slowly as well.
This condition shows when you feel stuck in a slow-motion life, your energy fades easily, your skin is usually pale or dry, and your body’s metabolism slows.
The Development of These Conditions in the Human Body
Your thyroid is responsible for producing hormones such as the Triiodothyronine (T3) and the Thyroxine (T4). These hormones provide the motion to your cells. Directing the speed at which your cells work.
The development of both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can be traced back to these hormones. If your body receives too many thyroid hormones, the cells will work faster. It tells the cells to burn more energy. However, if your body produces fewer hormones, the cells will work more slowly, so will your organs.
The abnormality in the organ systems makes the entire body capable of keeping up from its normal state. The excess and minimal thyroid hormones received by your cells sabotage your brain processes, heart rate, digestive process, emotions, and mood stability.
Other people can develop either or both of these thyroid issues over time. Also, genetics plays a critical role in their development.
If your family has a history of suffering from either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, your risk of getting either condition is also higher.
Women are more prone to these conditions. These conditions can develop or manifest during pregnancy or the menopausal stage. The fluctuation of hormones is higher during these stages.
There are also cases of developing these conditions due to other factors. Factors such as your diet, infections, and stress can also trigger hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
Further Knowledge about These Thyroid Issues
Thyroid conditions tend to have similar symptoms to other conditions. Symptoms like aging, fatigue, and stress are also present in other people, even without specific thyroid conditions.
Knowing if you have thyroid problems can be best assessed by your doctor.
Typically, doctors would recommend a blood test for you. Specifically, the T3 and T4 levels of your Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone. This test assesses whether you have thyroid problems or other existing conditions.
If you are diagnosed with a thyroid problem, doctors will recommend certain treatment to manage your condition.
You read it right; hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are treatable. It can help you normalize how your organs work.
The hyperthyroidism can be treated by surgery, radioactive iodine therapy, and medications that can slow the hormone production.
While Hypothyroidism is treated with a pill that restores the balance in your body. This pill is no other than the levothyroxine.
Other recommendations to manage thyroid conditions are healthy lifestyle choices, such as getting regular, quality sleep, managing stress, and eating a well-balanced meal. These recommendations are better applied after the doctor’s check-up.
Be aware that the essential step to treat a thyroid condition is through a consistent doctor’s consultation. To identify the necessary treatment for the specific condition.
As thyroid conditions may develop over time, the doctor can provide better treatment.
Final Takeaway
Now that you have learned the similarities and differences of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, you know how serious these conditions are.
Providing a comparison between these two conditions, both are worse and may complicate matters if left untreated.
If you let either of these thyroid conditions, it can cause different problems in some of your organs.
Hyperthyroidism can lead to bone loss and heart problems. However, hypothyroidism can lead to slow heart rate, fertility issues, and depression in some people.
Remember not to undermine your sudden mood swings, frequent fatigue, and unexpected weight changes. These may be symptoms of thyroid problems that are silently working on your body.
Your thyroid may be small, but it has a precious role in maintaining the balance. It affects your mood, heartbeat, and brain function.
Don’t shrug off these symptoms easily. Have a doctor check you up to prevent either hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism from damaging your body’s balance.