January 2012 is thyroid awareness month. Your thyroid sits just below the center of your neck, under the Adam’s apple. In simple terms, it is your body’s battery. In more complex terms, it produces hormones that control your body’s metabolism.

When that battery is “too charged,” it produces some specific symptoms. This is known as hyperthyroidism. On the other hand, when that battery is “running low” it can produce another set of symptoms associated with hypothyroidism. Some of these symptoms are common to both conditions:

Signs of hyperthyroidism:
Nervousness
Increased perspiration and heat sensitivity
Rapid heart rate or palpitations
Tremors
Difficulty sleeping
Weight loss
Lighter than normal periods
Diarrhea
Enlarged thyroid gland
Fatigue
Bulging eyes (in the case of Graves’ disease)

Signs of hypothyroidism:
Dry skin
Cold sensitivity
Loss or thinning of hair
Facial swelling
Weight gain
Heavier than normal periods
Constipation
Enlarged thyroid gland
Fatigue
Depression

A large percentage of cases of hyperthyroidism are due to a condition called Graves’ disease. In this condition, antibodies that are produced by the body to fight against illness cause the immune system to increase the thyroid gland’s production of thyroid hormone. Other causes include thyroid nodules that make too much hormone and thyroiditis, or an inflammation of the thyroid gland.

The most common cause of hypothyroidism is also due to immune system derangements. This disease is called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and causes the immune system to decrease the thyroid gland’s production of thyroid hormone. Other causes include treatment for hyperthyroidism, thyroid surgery, radiation treatments and certain medications.

The diagnosis of both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can be made by a detailed history and a physical exam. Blood testing is essential since thyroid hormone abnormalities can typically be detected through simple blood testing. Any additional testing can be used to further investigate an abnormal laboratory value.

In the case of hyperthyroidism, treatments are based on the cause of the overactive thyroid and may require management by an endocrinologist, a hormone specialist. Hypothyroidism is treated with synthetic thyroid hormone replacement in pill form.

The importance of taking thyroid medications consistently and as directed cannot be stressed enough, as an overactive thyroid gland can lead to long term complications such as heart problems and weak bones. Non-adherence to thyroid medication dosing in the case of hypothyroidism can lead to ...