hypothyroidism is based on symptoms and the results of blood tests that measure the level of TSH and the level of the thyroid hormone thyroxine. The high level of TSH and low level of thyroid hormones as known as free T4 level indicate an underactive thyroid hormone or hypothyroidism. When the thyroxine level is low, the pituitary gland produces TSH to stimulate thyroid gland to produce more thyroid hormone. TSH tests play an important role in managing hypothyroidism. They help the provider to…
Hashimoto’s Disease, also known as Chronic Lympocytic Thyroiditis, is an autoimmune disease that attacks a person’s thyroid gland. It is a type of hypothyroidism that gradually leads to atrophy of the thyroid tissue. There are several signs and symptoms a person will experience when Hashimoto’s disease is present. Consulting a doctor is crucial for diagnosis and treatment of this disease for a positive prognosis. Though there is still a lot unknown about this disease, remission is possible and…
In recent years, thyroid nodules have become one of the common endocrine problems in the United States. The vast majority of thyroid nodules detected during physical examination are benign; however, 5-10% of palpable nodules prove to be malignant on biopsy (1, 2). On palpation, a solid thyroid nodule has a higher chance of being malignant (3,4). The American Thyroid Association and the American Society of Radiologists in the United States have defined various ultrasound (US) based prognostic…
or a family history of this type of tumor. What is being tested? This test measures the amount of metanephrine and normetanephrine in your blood. Metanephrine and normetanephrine are substances that appear in your blood after adrenaline and other hormones break down. Increased levels of these substances in your blood may be a sign of having a pheochromocytoma tumor. What kind of sample is taken? A blood sample is required for this test. It is usually collected by inserting a needle into a blood…
an underactive thyroid, refers to a lack of thyroid hormone produced by the thyroid gland. Thyroid hormone affects the activity of almost every organ and tissue in the body. The thyroid gland, located in the medial, inferior portion of the cervical region, lateral and ventral to the trachea, helps to regulate the body’s metabolism, heart rate, and energy levels (“Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid)”, WebMD 1). Approximately 20 million Americans suffer from some form of thyroid disease, and…
disease is a disease of the thyroid gland; a part of the endocrine system. The thyroid gland is located in the front of the neck. The endocrine system is responsible for all the chemical interactions in our body e.g. hormones. This is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the cells of the thyroid gland. It results in the inflammation and destruction of the gland, resulting in hypothyroidism. [3] Normal functioning of the thyroid gland: A healthy thyroid gland releases the…
overproduction of thyroid hormones. This overproduction is known as hyperthyroidism and there are a number of disorders and diseases that may result in hyperthyroidism, with Grave’s disease being the most common cause. According to Grazia Aleppo MD, FACE, FACP, who is an associate professor of Medicine at the Northwestern University in Chicago, IL, hyperthyroidism can be defined as a condition in which the thyroid gland is overactive and makes excessive amounts of thyroid hormone. The thyroid…
Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disorder that results in the increase of production of thyroid hormones. The immune system is designed to protect the body and fight off any infection; it is meant to differentiate and abolish any harmful elements within the body (Medow, 2013). For example, bacteria or viruses. Autoimmune disorder does the opposite…
classic symptoms related to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most prevalent autoimmune thyroid gland and is a major cause of hypothyroidism in women ages 30-50 years. At present it is thought that Hashimoto’s disease is provoked in genetically susceptible individuals by both environmental and endogenous triggers. Genetic predisposition to development of the autoimmune thyroid diseases was established on the basis of the epidemiologic studies indicating increased prevalence…
According to Lanzisera, thyroid disease affects four systems and two organs. The two organs affected are the thyroid gland and the adrenal gland. The thyroid gland operates the body’s metabolic rate. A patient with hyperthyroidism experiences excessive weight loss; however, patients with hypothyroidism gain weight. The adrenal gland is an essential part of the thyroid gland function. The four systems that are influenced by thyroid disease are the cardiovascular system, central nervous system,…