Thyroid malfunction can be the underlying cause of a number of physical and emotional signs, symptoms, and findings frequently overlooked or incorrectly diagnosed. There are many different types of thyroid problems such as:
Hyperthyroid problems are due to an over-stimulated thyroid gland. Some other names for, and forms of, Hyperthyroidism are Graves' Disease, Thyrotoxicosis (including Thyrotoxicosis Factitia), Toxic Diffuse Goiter, Toxic Nodular Goiter, Basedow's Disease, and Plummer's Disease (Toxic Adenoma and Toxic Multinodular Goiter), Thyroid Storm, T3 Toxicosis, and Silent Thyroiditis.
The cause of Hyperthyroidism is not completely understood. It probably results from a problem with the immune system. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) does NOT cause Hyperthyroidism or Graves' Disease.
Hypothyroid problems are due to an under-stimulated thyroid gland. Some other names for, and forms of, Hypothyroidism are Myxedema, Primary Hypothyroidism, Post-Therapeutic Hypothyroidism, Goitrous Hypothyroidism, Congenital Goiters with Hypothyroidism, Pendred's Syndrome, Neonatal Hypothyroidism (Cretinism), Athyreotic Cretinism, Post-partum Thyroiditis, and Secondary Hypothyroidism.
The cause of Primary Hypothyroidism is likely due to a problem with the immune system. Post-Therapeutic Hypothyroidism results from treatments for Hyperthyroidism such as surgery to remove all or part of the thyroid gland, or radioactive therapies to destroy all or part of the function of the thyroid gland.
Secondary Hypothyroidism is due to decreased secretion of Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone (TRH) from the hypothalamus gland in the brain, or lack of secretion of Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) from the pituitary gland in the brain.
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