The Primary Cause Of Thyroid Disease

The thyroid gland is an organ in the endocrine system located in the throat next to the Adam’s apple and although small shaped is extremely important to a patient’s health. The primary function of the thyroid is to produce two specific thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), and secrete calcitonin that circulates continuously from the gland through the blood to all parts of the body. In fact, thyroid hormones are essential for operating “almost all the cells in the body, regulating basal metabolic rate, lipid metabolism, body temperature, carbohydrate metabolism, and all aspects of linear growth” (Burkhart 55). The pituitary produces the hormone thyrotropin, which is commonly known as the thyroid-stimulating hormone …show more content…
Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are the two predominant types of diseases of the thyroid. Hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid results from a deficiency of hormone production in triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) in the blood. Additionally, Hashimoto thyroiditis, radiation treatment, and surgery to remove the thyroid gland are several contributing factors that may cause hypothyroidism. The autoimmune disease, Hashimoto thyroiditis treats the thyroid tissue as a foreign antibody, resulting in chronic inflammation and inhibits hormone production of the thyroid gland (Burkhart 55). In contrast, hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid results from an overproduction of triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) flowing in the bloodstream. Toxic multinodular goiter, Graves’ disease, and toxic adenoma are some of the primary causes of hyperthyroidism. In Graves’ disease, the body’s immune system malfunctions stimulating abnormal formations of antibodies to bind to TSH receptors on the thyroid gland triggering exophthalmos, enlarged goiters, and a loss of pigmentation in the skin (“Thyroid Gland” 3325). Even though hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism activate opposite reactions in the body, both cause an imbalance in …show more content…
The thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) blood test is the standard guideline used by an endocrinologist to evaluate thyroid function. Another laboratory test ordered is the thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb); a definitive marker for diagnosing Hashimoto thyroiditis since the presence of TPO antibodies in the blood significantly increases the patients’ risk of developing hypothyroidism (Zarkovic). More importantly, when diagnosed with a dysfunctional thyroid the physician’s immediate goal is to promptly medicate the patient to restore thyroid hormone levels, while the long-term goal of treatment is to maintain a TSH level within the normal range. Consequently, endocrinologists prescribe oral medications for the treatment of both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Presently, the preferred medication to treat hypothyroidism is Synthroid, Levothroid, or Levoxyl, the synthetic form of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (Sims et al.). Another natural alternative medication is Armour Thyroid made from the pigs’ gland producing both triiodothyronine and thyroxine, but most physicians do not recommend this medication for treatment of thyroid disease. Initially, endocrinologists monitor patients every six weeks to check TSH levels and adjust medication as needed. Once TSH levels are in the normal range, physicians recommend monitoring hypothyroid patients