Thyroid diseases and disorders are caused because the body either makes too much or too little thyroid hormones, which are necessary for vital functions of the body.
Thyroid disease and disorder symptoms and signs depend on the type of the thyroid problem. Examples include heat or cold intolerance, sweating, weight loss or gain, palpitations, fatigue, dry skin, constipation, brittle hair, joint aches and pains, heart palpitations, edema, feeling bloated, puffiness in the face, reduced menstrual flow, changes in the frequency of bowel movements and habits, high cholesterol, hoarseness, brittle hair, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, a visible lump or swelling in the neck, tremors, memory problems, depression, nervousness, agitation, irritability, or poor concentration.
Thyroid problems are more common in women. Read more: Thyroid Disorders Symptoms and Signs Article
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
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Heart Palpitations: 14 Possible Causes and Should You Worry?
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Depression Quiz: Signs & Symptoms
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Constipation: Foods to Eat, Foods to Avoid
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Thyroid Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ
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Picture of Graves Disease
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Picture of Thyroid
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IMAGES
Thyroid Disorders Symptoms and Signs See a medical illustration of the thyroid plus our entire medical gallery of human anatomy and physiology See ImagesRelated Disease Conditions
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Stool Color, Changes, Texture and Form
Stool color changes can very from green, red, maroon, yellow, white, or black. Causes of changes of stool color can range from foods a person eats, medication, diseases or conditions, pregnancy, cancer, or tumors. Stool can also have texture changes such as greasy or floating stools. Stool that has a uncharacteristically foul odor may be caused by infections such as giardiasis or medical conditions.
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What Does it Mean When Your TSH is Low?
Low TSH levels indicate a condition with your pituitary or thyroid glands. Learn what happens when TSH is low, how it is diagnosed, and how doctors treat it. High thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are associated with hypothyroidism, and one of the signs of hypothyroidism is weight gain.
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Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is any state in which thyroid hormone production is below normal. Normally, the rate of thyroid hormone production is controlled by the brain by the pituitary gland. Hypothyroidism is a very common condition and the symptoms of hypothyroidism are often subtle but may include constipation, memory loss, hair loss, and depression. There are a variety of causes of hypothyroidism, and treatment depends on the cause.
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Vaginal Bleeding
Normal vaginal bleeding (menorrhea) occurs through the process of menstruation. Abnormal vaginal bleeding in women who are ovulating regularly most commonly involves excessive, frequent, irregular, or decreased bleeding. Causes of abnormal may arise from a variety of conditions that may include, uterine fibroids, IUDs, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, lupus, STDs, pelvic inflammatory disease, emotional stress, anorexia nervosa, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), cancers, early pregnancy.
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Constipation
Constipation is defined medically as fewer than three stools per week and severe constipation as less than one stool per week. Constipation usually is caused by the slow movement of stool through the colon. There are many causes of constipation including medications, poor bowel habits, low-fiber diets, laxative abuse, and hormonal disorders, and diseases primarily of other parts of the body that also affect the colon.
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Thyroid Disorders
There are several types of thyroid disorders including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, goiters, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer. Symptoms vary by condition. Diagnosis is made with blood tests, scans, ultrasound, or biopsy. Treatments depend on the disorder and can include medication or surgery.
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Fatigue and Exhaustion
Fatigue can be described in various ways. Sometimes fatigue is described as feeling a lack of energy and motivation (both mental and physical). The causes of fatigue are generally related to a variety of conditions or diseases, for example, anemia, mono, medications, sleep problems, cancer, anxiety, heart disease, and drug abuse.Treatment of fatigue is generally directed toward the condition or disease that is causing the fatigue.
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Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is an excess of thyroid hormone due to an overactive thyroid gland. Symptoms can include increased heart rate, weight loss, heart palpitations, frequent bowel movements, depression, fatigue, fine or brittle hair, sleep problems, thinning skin, and irregular vaginal bleeding. Graves' disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Many other health problems or taking excess thyroid hormone medication can cause an overactive thyroid gland. Treatment for the condition is with medication, radioactive iodine, thyroid surgery (rarely), or reducing the dose of thyroid hormone. No diet has been shown to treat hyperthyroidism or its symptoms and signs.
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Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
Hashimoto's thyroiditis or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder causing inflammation of the thyroid gland. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is a type of hypothyroidism and is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the US. Symptoms of Hashimoto's thyroiditis may include dry skin, fatigue, weight gain, feeling cold, excessive sleepiness, dry skin, dry coarse hair, difficulty swallowing, a lump in the front of the throat, muscle cramps, mood changes, vague aches and pains, problems concentrating, leg swelling, constipation, and depression. There is no cure for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Diet changes, natural supplements, vitamins, or other natural products will not treat Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Treatment for the autoimmune disorder is with thyroid hormone replacement therapy, which will be necessary for the rest of the person’s life.
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Dry Skin
Dry skin (xeroderma) may be caused by external factors, like cold temperatures, low humidity, harsh soaps, and certain medications, or internal factors, such as thyroid disease, diabetes, psoriasis, or Sjogren's syndrome. Symptoms and signs of dry skin include itching and red, cracked, or flaky skin. The main treatment for dry skin is frequent, daily lubrication of the skin.
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What Foods are Good and Bad for Hyperthyroidism?
What is hyperthyroidism? Learn which foods are good and bad for hyperthyroidism.
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How Can a Man Tell if He Has a Hormonal Imbalance?
What is a hormonal imbalance? Learn the signs of hormonal imbalance in men and what to do if you suspect you have a hormonal imbalance.
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Depression
Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. The principal types of depression are major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disease (also called manic-depressive disease).
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Hypothyroidism During Pregnancy
Hypothyroidism during pregnancy can be treated with synthetic thyroid hormones to maintain the proper thyroid hormone balance. Hypothyroidism symptoms and signs include fatigue, weight gain, lethargy, and constipation. Treatment of hypothyroidism in pregnant women is important because inadequate levels of thyroid hormones may affect the fetus and child during growth and development.
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Palpitations
Palpitations are uncomfortable sensations of the heart beating hard, rapidly, or irregularly. Some types of palpitations are benign, while others are more serious. Palpitations are diagnosed by taking the patient history and by performing an EKG or heart monitoring along with blood tests. An electrophysiology study may also be performed. Treatment of palpitations may include lifestyle changes, medication, ablation, or implantation of a pacemaker. The prognosis if palpitations depends on the underlying cause.
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What Is the Best Treatment for Hypothyroidism?
Learn more about hypothyroidism, ways to manage this condition, and the best medical treatment to help ease your symptoms.
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Thyroid Nodules
Thyroid nodules are the most common endocrine problem in the United States. The term thyroid nodule refers to any abnormal growth that forms a lump in the thyroid gland. The vast majority of thyroid nodules are benign.
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Swallowing Problems (Dysphagia)
Dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing, swallowing problems. Dysphagia is due to problems in nerve or muscle control. It is common, for example, after a stroke. Dysphagia compromises nutrition and hydration and may lead to aspiration pneumonia and dehydration.
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Myxedema Coma
Myxedema (crisis) coma is the loss of brain function due to severe longstanding low levels of thyroid hormone in the blood. Myxedema coma is a life-threatening complication of hypothyroidism. Examples of triggers of myxedema coma include medications, infections, strokes, and trauma.Some of the symptoms of myxedema coma include hypothermia, seizures, difficulty breathing, and coma. Treatment of myxedema coma depend on the severity of the condition.
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Thyroid Cancer
There are four major types of thyroid cancer: papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic thyroid cancer. Tumors on the thyroid are referred to as thyroid nodules. Symptoms of thyroid cancer include swollen lymph nodes, pain in the throat, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, and a lump near the Adam's apple. Treatment usually involves chemotherapy, surgery, radioactive iodine, hormone treatment or external radiation and depends upon the type of thyroid cancer, the patient's age, the tumor size, and whether the cancer has metastasized.
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Thyroiditis
Thyroiditis is the inflammation of the thyroid gland. The inflamed thyroid gland can release an excess of thyroid hormones into the blood stream, resulting in a temporary hyperthyroid state. Some forms of thyroiditis can be diagnosed based on tenderness and enlargement of the thyroid gland. A thyroid scan sometimes is used in making the diagnosis. Thyroiditis can also be diagnosed with a biopsy of the thyroid gland.
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Moyamoya Disease
Moyamoya disease is an inherited (genetic) progressive cerebrovascular disorder caused by arteries that are blocked at the base of the brain. Moyamoya means "puff of smoke" in Japanese. Signs and symptoms of Moyamoya disease in adults include fainting, and vision problems, and in children included may include headaches and speech problems. There are 6 stages of Moyamoya disease. Surgery is the preferred treatment for the disease, and there is no cure for Moyamoya disease, and it can be fatal.
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What Are the Warning Signs of Thyroid Cancer?
Thyroid cancer arises from the cells of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck, just below Adam's apple. Warning signs of thyroid cancer include a lump in the neck, trouble swallowing, trouble breathing, voice changes, cough, weight loss, and palpitations.
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Can Low Thyroid Cause Other Health Problems?
Low thyroid can cause health problems such as erectile dysfunction, lack of ovulation, pregnancy complications, goiters, heart disease, depression, and myxedema. Thyroid cancer is the abnormal growth and uninhibited multiplication of cells of the thyroid gland.
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How Does Graves’ Disease Affect Your Eyes?
What is Graves' disease, and how does it affect your eyes? Learn the signs of thyroid eye disease, what causes it, and how it is treated.
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What Happens to Your Body When You Have Thyroid Cancer?
Thyroid cancer arises from the cells of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck, just below Adam's apple. Common symptoms and signs of thyroid cancer may include a lump in the neck, trouble swallowing, trouble breathing, voice changes, cough, weight loss, and palpitations.
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What Effect Does Hypothyroidism Have On You?
What is hypothyroidism? Learn the signs of hypothyroidism, what causes hypothyroidism, and how hypothyroidism affects the body.
Treatment & Diagnosis
- Depression FAQs
- Thyroid FAQs
- Dry Skin FAQs
- Constipation FAQs
- Thyroid Cancer in Children and Teenagers
- Thyroid Disease and Menopause
- Hyperthyroidism...The Heart of the Matter
- Thyroid: Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- Thyroid and Iodine - Part 1
- Thyroid and Iodine - Part 2
- Screening for Thyroid Disease?
- Thyroid Cancer Symptoms and Warning Signs
- Does Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Cause Other Diseases?
- Can Synthroid Taken for Hypothyroidism Cause Osteoporosis?
- Does Hypothyroidism Cause High Cholesterol?
- Does Hypothyroidism Cause Palpitations?
- Thyroid Disease Types and Treatments
- Hypothyroidism Symptoms
- Hyperthyroidism and Pregnancy
- Ask The Experts - Thyroid
Medications & Supplements
Prevention & Wellness
- AHA News: A Healthy Thyroid Can Be Key to a Healthy Heart
- Know Your Thyroid Facts
- Exposure to Iodine in the NICU May Affect Infant Thyroid Function
- Being Chained to Your Desk Might Harm Your Thyroid
- Look for Early Signs of Thyroid Cancer, Experts Urge
- Health Tip: Differing Thyroid Tests
- Know the Signs of Thyroid Trouble
- Check Your Neck for Thyroid Abnormalities
- Can You Blame Your Headaches on Your Thyroid?
- Health Tip: Spot the Signs of Hypothyroidism
- Health Tip: If Your Thyroid is Overactive
- Health Tip: Recognizing Hypothyroidism
- Health Tip: Thyroid Problems May Affect Pregnancy
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