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What Is The Difference Between Hypothyroidism And Hyperthyroidism?

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland situated in the neck, which is responsible for almost all metabolic processes of the body. Thyroid hormones dominate the functioning of the brain, muscles, heart, and other bodily systems. Though it is the same gland, an underactive or overactive thyroid can lead to various conditions that present with distinct symptoms.

The Difference Between Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism

The overall hormonal output of the thyroid gland determines the difference between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. In hyperthyroidism, the gland is deficient in secreting the thyroid hormone required for optimum functioning. In hyperthyroidism, the gland becomes overactive. The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune condition frequently affecting women than men, in which antibodies are produced against the thyroid hormone. Grave’s disease is the most common form of hyperthyroidism that leads to an enlarged thyroid called a goitre.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism:

The underproduction of the thyroid hormone leads to hypothyroidism (increased TSH level). Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism that destroys the gland by producing antibodies against the tissues. Thyroiditis may also be caused due to a viral infection. A diet deficient in iodine is another cause of hypothyroidism. Certain radiation drugs, medications for hyperthyroidism, thyroid surgery can also lead to hypothyroidism.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism include:

Read More: 7 Effects of Hypothyroidism

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

During hyperthyroidism, there is an over secretion of thyroid hormones that disrupt metabolic control of the body and reduce TSH levels below normal.

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism include:

Both these conditions need medical intervention from an endocrinologist or a thyroid specialist. Unfortunately, there is no cure for hypothyroidism and patients need to rely on external thyroid hormone supplements like Eltroxin, etc. Hyperthyroidism needs to be treated with medications or radiation therapy before it can lead to a complicated condition called a thyroid storm.

Ensure you follow the medications religiously, as the thyroid regulates numerous other glands of the body and can hamper their functioning too!

Treatment for Hypothyroidism

Standard treatment for hypothyroidism involves daily use of the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine (medications Levo-T and Synthroid). This oral medication restores adequate hormone levels, reversing the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism.

The medication gradually lowers cholesterol levels elevated by the disease and may reverse any weight gain. You’ll likely start to feel better soon after you start treatment.  

Treatment for Hyperthyroidism

Several treatments for hyperthyroidism exist. The best approach for you depends on your age, physical condition, the underlying cause of hyperthyroidism and personal preference. Some lines of treatment can be:

Must Read: 8 Best Foods for Thyroid

Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
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Is There A Link Between Thyroid Disorders And Diabetes?

The link between diabetes and thyroid disorders has been well established by various medical researchers. The thyroid gland is a small gland located in the neck region that secretes thyroid hormones, which helps regulate the body’s growth, development and metabolism. A dysfunction in the thyroid gland may lead to weight gain and therefore, affect the blood sugar levels in the body. Despite the established connection, these conditions are often left undiagnosed in the early stages and only identified once symptoms get evident.

How are blood sugar levels and the thyroid gland related?

There is a strong interrelation between the function of the thyroid gland and blood sugar levels. If the blood sugar levels rise or decrease below the normal range, the thyroid hormone is stimulated to rectify the same. A constant fluctuation in blood sugar levels exerts physiological stress on the thyroid gland increasing the risk of thyroid dysfunction in the long run. 

Patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus are more frequently diagnosed with underactive thyroid function due to a condition called Hashimoto’s disease and around 10% of the type 1 patients may develop Grave’s disease, an autoimmune disorder causing an overactive thyroid gland. Both diabetes and Grave’s disease have a genetic causative factor associated with them.

Diabetes in Patients with Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism occurs due to excessive secretion of the thyroid hormone, which is characterised by:

In hyperthyroidism, increased production of glucose from the liver and increased absorption by the intestines may lead to a rise in blood sugar levels.

The metabolism rate increases in hyperthyroidism, which leads to faster digestion of blood sugar medicine. As a result, the medicine does not last long in the body and blood sugar level increases. Hence, in diabetics with hyperthyroidism, the dosage of blood sugar medications is increased until the thyroid levels normalise. 

Diabetes in Patients with Hypothyroidism

There is decreased production of thyroid hormone in hypothyroidism which may be evident as:

The most commonly associated disorder with hypothyroidism is type 2 diabetes mellitus. Patients with hypothyroidism may experience a sharp shift from a prediabetic state to a diabetic state. An underactive thyroid may also lead to aggravation in a diabetic patient. The comorbidities like obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, high body mass index (BMI) may further increase the risk of diabetes in hyperthyroidism patients.

Thyroid-related diseases and T2DM are closely linked. Type 2 diabetes can be exacerbated by thyroid disorders, and diabetes can worsen thyroid dysfunction. Insulin resistance has been found to play a crucial role in both T2DM and thyroid dysfunction.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Thyroid Diseases in Patients with Diabetes

Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism diagnosed in the 40s or 50s is more prevalent in diabetic patients than in non-diabetic patients. The high levels of blood sugar in patients with diabetes can mask the hyperglycemia, caused due to hyperthyroidism, which can prove to be fatal. Those with hypothyroidism are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Approximately 10% of patients with hypothyroidism are diagnosed with diabetes. Patients with type 1 diabetes are more prone to an autoimmune thyroid disorder.  

Consequences of Untreated Patients with Diabetes and Thyroid Disorders

If the fluctuation of blood sugar levels in a patient with thyroid dysfunction goes unnoticed or if thyroid disorder in a diabetic patient remains undiagnosed, many health complications might occur. Weight gain, deranged lipid profile, tiredness, anxiety are a few commonly noticed symptoms which if left untreated can affect the overall health of the person.

Precautions

Insulin resistance is a factor that interlinks thyroid disorders and diabetes. Patients usually complain of worsening thyroid symptoms when their blood sugars are out of control and their diet and medications are not able to manage the symptoms. A follow-up is essential to check and do modifications for the medications since they both are endocrine disorders and closely linked.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D.

Conclusion

There is a great possibility of developing a thyroid disorder after getting diagnosed with diabetes and vice versa. As both the hormones are concerned with metabolic processes of the body, the other hormones of the body are also affected. This may lead to a wide array of complications. To avoid this, precautions such as lifestyle modifications and regular testing are vital.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

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Common Health Problems Caused By Thyroid

Have you recently been diagnosed with thyroid problems? Before you lose heart and think all is lost, please know that most thyroid problems can be handled well by medical experts. However, knowledge is power, and it would help you immensely to charge your thyroid issues if you know what is at stake.

After all, the thyroid gland is the one that controls the metabolic rate and much of the brain activity. Take a look at some of the health problems that are caused by the thyroid.

An enlarged thyroid, or goitre, may cause problems with swallowing and breathing. Graves’ disease can cause eye and skin problems. An overactive thyroid can lead to problems including: heart problems, such as rapid heart rate, problems with your heart rhythm (such as atrial fibrillation) or heart failure.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

Health issues caused by Hyperthyroidism

When the thyroid gland produces more than normal quantities of the thyroid hormones, the condition is known as Hyperthyroidism. It can cause many health problems.

Read More: 8 Best Food for Thyroid Patients to Include in Your Diet

You can get pregnant even if you have hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, but it may be more challenging to conceive. Additionally, if you have a thyroid disorder during pregnancy, your baby may be at increased risk for low birth weight, a fast heart rate, poor weight gain, and low IQ.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.

Also Read: 8 Most Effective Foods To Fight Thyroid!

Health issues caused by Hypothyroidism

When the thyroid gland produces less than usual amounts of thyroid hormones, the condition is known as Hypothyroidism. The metabolic rate of the individual reduces and can lead to severe health issues.

Read More:  Difference between Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

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Think Twice Before You Idolize Your Favorite Fictional Characters!

Favourite Fictional Character We grew up watching these characters on our television sets. But have you ever wondered what it’d be like to meet sleeping beauty, the famous Disney princess or Po from the Kung Fu Panda fame in real life? We are assuming it won’t be much fun. Po’s morbid obesity will intimidate you and a 24/7 sleepy Sleeping Beauty will probably put you to sleep. PharmEasy decided to analyse each one of these childhood heroes and figure out what could possible be wrong with them.  Warning: Please don’t take this to heart, we love these guys as much as you do!

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Mario: This little guy got so over-enthusiastic that we had to call him ‘Super Mario’.  We are not sure if it were the mushrooms or the plants but this guy did get pretty hyper which leads us to suspect that he suffered from HYPERTHYROIDISM. He surely showed us all the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. It has been estimated that about 42 million people in India suffer from Thyroid problems.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is one of the commonest mental disorders in children which can continue up to adulthood. Timely diagnosis and consulting a child specialist is very critical to avoid long-term consequences.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D
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Olive, the damsel in forever distress, harassed by Bluto saved by Popeye is a well-known character. But we couldn’t help but notice that she was all bones and no skin. Not ‘naturally’ skinny but anorexic thin. This is a serious problem faced by many Indians, predominantly women.  Anorexia is the most common form of eating disorder.

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If you look deeper and beyond those unbelievably chubby blue cheeks and adorable puppy eyes, you’ll see that sadness’s problems ran deep. We often neglect mental health and brush it off as ‘all in the mind’ thing but mental health is softly and slowly killing us all. One in every 10 Indians is depressed and battling anxiety, depression, phobias, and eating disorders. Not everyone is lucky to find a companion like Joy in life who helps us get through things!

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Behold! Here comes the all-time Favourite Fictional Character (and probably the oldest) Disney princess. All of us grew up reading the magical story of Snow White and the elves. As Indians, we are obsessed with white skin tone but there’s an ‘unhealthy’ line between being pale and being fair. Statistics state that every second woman in India is Anaemic.

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Po is everybody’s hero! He is cute, he is smart, and he’s hilarious. He not only has some sweet Kung Fu moves but he also found his inner peace and chi and all that jazz. But most of us aren’t that fortunate to become dragon warriors with bulging bellies. We need to face our morbid obesity and take corrective measures.

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Sleep can be tricky. Sleeping too much and sleeping too little, both can be problematic. Finding the right balance is very important. Sleeping just right is extremely important as it can affect your body and mind (and your day in many cases).

Leave us a comment below if you wish to add to the list. Let us know your Favourite Fictional Character and we’ll help you find out what they are suffering from. Kidding! (not).

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

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