Thyroid Diseases

To help understand and differentiate between thyroid conditions as I know thyroid conditions can be a little messy because there are a few, below is a list of the different types of conditions;

Hyperthyroidism - When the thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone and something went wrong in the conversion of thyroid hormones. Typically blood panels will see higher T4 and low T3 / Low TSH.

Hypothyroidism- This is when the thyroid produces not enough hormones. As the TSH level increases early in the disease, conversion of T4 to T3 increases, maintaining T3 levels. In early hypothyroidism, TSH levels are elevated, T4 levels are normal to low, and T3 levels are normal.

Graves Disease - This is an overproduction of thyroid hormones that creates an autoimmune condition in the body.

Goiters - This happens when your Thyroid is significantly enlarged stemming from an Iodine deficiency. It can create a large lump on your neck/throat due to the enlargement of the gland.

Hashimotos Thyroiditis - This is a chronic inflammation of the thyroid and the most common form of Hypothyroidism. It is considered an autoimmune condition because it creates an immune response in the body.

Silent Thyroiditis - This is also an immune reaction of the thyroid gland. It can cause hyperthyroidism followed by hypothyroidism.

De Quervain’s Thyroiditis - This one is really interesting. De Quervain's thyroiditis, (aka subacute granulomatous thyroiditis or giant cell thyroiditis) can actually be caused by a viral infection and creates an onset of symptoms in phases. 1) hyperthyroid phase, 2) hypothyroid phase, 3) euthyroid phase (no symptoms), and 4) recovery phase. Why this is super interesting is not only how it can present itself (through viral infection) but it’s a condition that resolves spontaneously without the need for a specific treatment.

Thyroid Cancer (5 different types) - This one is just as it sounds. Cancer of the Thyroid.