Do you feel tired, gain or lose weight easily, have anxiety or have unexplained health issues? These could be signs of a thyroid disorder. Understanding the differences between hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can help you figure out your symptoms.
What is a thyroid?
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that produces hormones to regulate your metabolism. When the thyroid is underactive, it doesn’t make enough hormones, causing hypothyroidism. An overactive thyroid produces more hormones than your body needs, leading to hyperthyroidism. Both conditions affect how your cells use energy, which can create a wide range of symptoms. A Standard Thyroid Test screens for thyroid health conditions.
Signs of hypothyroidism
In hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland doesn't make enough hormones, which slows down your metabolism leading to symptoms like fatigue, feeling cold, constipation, depression and hair loss. Up to 5% of people in the United States have hypothyroidism, and it's more common for those aged 60 and above, but people of any age can develop hypothyroidism. Other common symptoms include:
- Dry skin and hair
- Muscle cramps
- Heavy periods
- Impaired memory and concentration
- Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland)
One cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid. Hypothyroidism can also result from thyroid surgery, radiation treatment or certain medications.
Signs of hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is defined by the production of too many thyroid hormones. This excessive signaling speeds up the metabolism, causing unintended weight loss, rapid heartbeat and anxiety. Other hyperthyroidism symptoms include:
- Trembling hands
- Sweating
- Diarrhea
- Muscle weakness
- Irregular periods
- Bulging eyes
One cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease, another autoimmune condition, which is more common among women and people under 40. The thyroid can also become overactive from taking too much synthetic thyroid hormone or from growths like nodules or tumors.
Getting tested for thyroid disorders
Since hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism may have some overlapping symptoms, which can also be attributed to other conditions or diseases, getting the right diagnosis is important. A simple blood test can check your thyroid hormone levels.
A thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test measures how much TSH your pituitary gland releases to stimulate the thyroid. When the thyroid is underactive, the pituitary gland releases higher and higher amounts of TSH to try to activate it. On the other hand, if the thyroid is already too active, the pituitary gland will naturally reduce the amount of TSH it produces in response. A high TSH level indicates hypothyroidism, while a low TSH level points to hyperthyroidism. Hormones produced by the thyroid gland, T3 and T4, can also be measured in the blood, giving another indicator of thyroid activity.
If you are concerned about your levels, you can purchase a Standard Thyroid Test online through Labcorp OnDemand to check your TSH and free T4. Simply provide a sample and your results will be sent to your Labcorp patient account so you can talk about any thyroid hormone abnormalities with your doctor. Knowledge is power, so getting more information and discussing with your provider is key to managing symptoms and outcomes.
Managing hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism
A healthcare provider can treat hypothyroidism by prescribing an oral synthetic thyroid hormone medication to restore normal hormone levels.
Treatment for hyperthyroidism aims to block excess thyroid hormone production. Antithyroid medications, radioactive iodine or thyroid surgery can treat overactive thyroid glands. Beta blockers help control rapid heart rate and anxiety until other treatments take effect.
When monitoring thyroid levels after initial treatment, the recommended frequency for rechecking thyroid function (typically TSH and sometimes free T4) may vary depending on the diagnosis and symptoms. In general:
- For treatment of hypothyroidism, the consensus is to recheck thyroid levels 6-8 weeks after initial treatment or any change in medication dose. Long-term monitoring is typically done every 6-12 months if TSH levels are normal and less symptoms are reported
- For treatment of hyperthyroidism, thyroid levels are typically checked frequently at the beginning, and then about every 12 months after the right dose or intervention (e.g., thyroid surgery) has been determined
Lifestyle changes like a well-balanced diet, increased exercise and decreased stress can help improve overall health and well-being. While these habits support overall health, they are not primary treatments for thyroid dysfunction. Working with your healthcare provider can help you find the best treatment plan for your needs.
With the right diagnosis and treatment, most people with hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can control their symptoms and feel their best. Monitoring thyroid levels regularly and communicating with your provider are important for ongoing thyroid health.
Don’t let thyroid problems slow you down. Purchase a Thyroid Function Test today to check your TSH and free T4 levels to get valuable insights into your thyroid health.
