HYPERTHYROIDISM

Hyperthyroidism is the overactivity of the thyroid gland (a butterfly shaped gland in the front of the neck,) which results in too much thyroid hormone in the bloodstream. This oversecretion of thyroid hormone leads to overactivity of the body's metabolism.<

Symptoms Of Hyperthyroidism

• nervousness
• fast heartbeat
• irritability
• shaky hands
• high blood pressure
• weight loss
• difficulty sleeping
• difficulty concentrating
• staring
• intolerance to heat
• increased perspiration
• increased frequency of bowel movements
• weak muscles

Types Of Hyperthyroidism:

• Graves' Disease
• toxic nodular goiter
• thyroiditis

Graves' disease is most often associated with hyperthyroidism. It is believed that it is caused by an antibody which stimulates the thyroid too much, in turn causing the excess production of thyroid hormone. The disease tends to run in families, and is most common in young to middle-aged women. Graves' Disease is classified as an Autoimmune Disease. It has all the same symptoms as Hyperthyroidism with 3 additional ones, which are

• bulging eyes (exophthalmos)
• goiter (enlarged thyroid)
• thickened skin over the shin area

Hyperthyroidism caused by toxic nodular goiter is a condition in which one or more nodules of the thyroid becomes overactive. The overactive nodule act as benign thyroid tumors. The cause of toxic nodular goiter is not known.

Thyroiditis is the inflamation of the thyroid gland and it causes temporary hyperthyroidism, usually followed with hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid). There are three types of Thyroiditis, which are:

• Hashimoto's thyroiditis
• subacute granulomatous thyroiditis
• silent lymphocytic thyroiditis

Treatments Of Hyperthyroidism

• Antithyroid drugs, which help lower the level of thyroid hormones in the blood.
• Radioactive iodine, in the form of a pill or liquid, which damages thyroid cells so that production of thyroid hormones is slowed down.
• surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid.
• Beta-blockers, which block the action of thyroid hormone on the body (these drugs do not change the levels of thyroid hormone in the blood.

Complications

Thyroid storm

Thyroid storm is a severe, life-threatening condition caused by an excess of thyroid hormone. A number of factors can be involved in causing thyroid storm, including over-replacement of thyroid hormones or discontinuing medications taken to treat hyperthyroidism. Symptoms of thyroid storm can include,

• fever (potentially as high as 105-106 degrees F),
• racing pulse
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• irregular heart beat
• confusion
• weakness

Thyroid storm can lead to heart failure and requires emergent medical treatment.

Nutrition

Foods that may interfere with thyroid function

• broccoli
• cabbage
• brussels sprouts
• cauliflower
• kale
• spinach
• turnips
• soy
• beans
• mustard greens
• Absolutely No Shellfish

Also avoid refined foods, dairy products, wheat, and caffeine.

As a last resort, when medication fails to work, or there are problems with the use of the medication for the treatment of Graves' Disease, and or Hyperthyroidism, the thyroid will be removed, either through radioactive iodine, (RAI,) or through surgery. Once the thyroid is removed the child will go from being hyperthyroid to hypothyroid.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is a condition in which your thyroid gland doesn't produce enough of certain important hormones.

Symptoms Of Hypothyroidism

• Fatigue
• Sluggishness
• Increased sensitivity to cold
• Constipation
• Pale, dry skin
• A puffy face
• Hoarse voice
• An elevated blood cholesterol level
• Weight gain
• Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness
• Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints
• Muscle weakness
• Brittle fingernails and hair
• Depression

Reasons For Hypothyroidism

• Birth Defect - a missing thyroid
• surgical removal of the thyroid
• the thyroid's autoimmune self-destruction, as in Hashimoto's disease
• nodules that make the thyroid dysfunctional
• a thyroid that has been radioactively ablated, after RAI.

Treatment Of Hypothyroidism

Treatment for hypothyroidism involves daily use of the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine (Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Unithroid).

Complications

Myxedema

It is the rare, life-threatening condition, and is the result of long-term, undiagnosed hypothyroidism. Symptoms include,

• Intense cold intolerance
• Drowsiness
• Profound lethargy
• Unconsciousness

Other complications of hypothyroidism may include,

• Obesity
• Joint Pain
• Heart Problems
• Mental Health Issues

Nutrition

Foods to avoid,

• Over-Processed and Refined Foods - white bread, anything made from white flour, and basic junk foods.

These don’t offer much nutritional value and can contribute to problems with insulin resistance and hormonal difficulties. They are also calorie-rich and not generally helpful in decreasing weight, or keeping at a normal weight.

Tips

Don't forget, you need to also take care of yourself. Try to relax, I know easier said then done, but remember , you aren't in this boat alone. There are a lot of parents out here, helping you row this thing. Sometimes you need to sit back and let others row a bit, while you relax a few minutes.

Take at the very least an hour, just for yourself. Crazy thought I know, but try it and see how that feels. Listen to some music, read a book, watch your favorite show. Do something that will keep your mind occupied for even an hour. If you are thinking to yourself, "am I doing enough for my child, could I be doing more?" Trust me you probably are doing everything you can. Remember to talk to people who know what you are going through, someone that can relate to what you are dealing with. If you can't find anyone in your family, or anyone in your area, please remember you can alwaysEmail Meand I know what you are going through, so do not hesitate to drop me a line.