Thyroidism Research Paper

Graves ' disease is an immune system disorder that results in the overproduction of thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism). The thyroid gland is an important organ of the endocrine system. The gland is located at the front of the neck above where the collarbones meet. This gland releases the hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which control body metabolism. Controlling metabolism is important for regulating mood, weight, and mental and physical energy levels. When the body makes too much thyroid hormone, the condition is called hyperthyroidism. Graves disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism and is most common in women over age 20. But the disorder can occur at any age and can affect men as well. Some of the symptoms of Graves diseases are

Commonly, problems with the thyroid involve an abnormal production level of these hormones. It is called hyperthyroidism if there the thyroid hormones are overproduced, and this can cause things like Graves’ disease, Toxic adenomas, and subacute thyroiditis (7). Hypothyroidism is the underproduction of the hormones which can be caused by an inflamed thyroid, iodine deficiency, a non-functioning thyroid gland and more. Hypothyroidism is especially dangerous in infants and newborns as the lack of these thyroid hormones can lead to mental retardation and dwarfism (7). However, in humans hypothyroidism can be caused by things such as a pituitary disorder, a defective thyroid or a lack of the gland completely. (7)

Karen Holt describes in her 2010 article Graves’ Disease: Clinical Pathophysiology, Presentation and Treatment Options of certain genetic markers that cause the blood vessels surrounding the thyroid gland to dilate, most often occurring in the second to third decade of life. The dilation of these vessels causes an increase in blood flow and thyroid-stimulating antibodies excite thyrotropin receptors on the gland itself in the same manner that TSH usually works. These antibodies, known as TSAb, bypass the negative feedback loop that TSH works under causing the follicles to produce thyroid hormones in copious amounts without the ability to turn themselves “off”. This in turn causes the thyroid gland to hypertrophy and grow as much as 2 to 3 times its normal size (p. 13-14). In an effort to stop the overproduction of thyroid hormones the pituitary gland will stop making TSH and this becomes part of the diagnosing for Graves’ disease when assessing hyperthyroidism. Increased levels of free T3 and T4 along with an almost non-detectable level of TSH in a blood screen are very indicative of Graves’ disease (Holt, 2010, p. 14). There is no cure for Graves’ disease, but it is treatable with lifestyle adjustments as well as drug therapy it can be managed to a point (p 46).

Grave’s disease is the most common form of hyperthyroidism, affecting more than seventy percent of people. This disease usually occurs when the immune system’s antibodies in the blood, also known as lymphocytes, attack the thyroid and bind to the surface of thyroid cells, which then grow in size and secrete too much thyroid hormone. It is thought to be a genetic disorder. Thyroid hormone plays a significant role in the body’s metabolic processes. When too much thyroid hormone is present, every bodily function tends to speed up. Common symptoms include nervousness, irritability, increased perspiration, heart racing, tremors, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, thinning of the skin, fine brittle hair, weakness of the muscles in the upper arms and thighs, frequent bowel movements, weight loss and for women, menstrual flow may lighten or occur less often. In Grave’s disease, the eyes may look enlarged or bulge. A goiter, or swelling in the front of the neck from an enlarged thyroid gland, is also common.

A physical exam and blood tests can usually determine if you have a thyroid issue, which one, and the potential causes of it.

There are many causes of hyperthyroidism, but the symptoms of hyperthyroidism are the same no matter what causes the over expression of thyroid hormones. The main symptoms of hyperthyroidism are fatigue, shortness of breath, weak muscles, anxiety, difficulty sleeping and heart palpitations. Interestingly, even with an increase in appetite the patient will have weight loss.

Hyperparathyroidism is an excess of parathyroid hormone in the bloodstream due to overactivity of one or more of the body's four parathyroid glands. These glands are about the size of a grain of rice and are located in your neck. The parathyroid glands make parathyroid hormone, which helps sustain a suitable balance of calcium in the bloodstream and in tissues that depend on calcium for good functioning. Two types of hyperparathyroidism exist. In primary hyperparathyroidism, an increase of one or more of the parathyroid glands causes overproduction of the hormone, developing in high levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia), which can cause a variety of health problems. Surgery is the most common treatment for primary hyperparathyroidism. Secondary hyperparathyroidism happens as a result of additional disease that primarily causes low levels of calcium in the body and over time, increased

Hyperthyroidism , part of the endocrine system, is a the gland that makes hormones that controls the way every cell in the body uses energy. Your thyroid is located in the front of your neck where the collarbones meet. Having this disease can affect some vital signs. Having hyperthyroidism can cause heart palpitations and high blood pressure. Therefore, because of having this disease, blood pressure and pulse need to be checked and documented every visit. It is important to collect vital signs and note them because it could help diagnose a patient.

Graves' disease, which is caused by a generalized overactivity of the thyroid gland, is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. In this condition, the thyroid gland usually is renegade, which means it has lost the ability to respond to the normal control by the pituitary gland via TSH. Graves' disease is hereditary and is up to five times more common among women than men. The triggers for Graves' disease include stress,

Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are both disorders of the thyroid gland and both have to do with the secretion of triiodothyronine and thyroxine. The thyroid hormones are stimulated by the thyroid stimulating hormone, which come from the adenohypophysis, and controls the release of triiodothyronine and thyroxine. Hyperthyroidism, also known as Grave’s disease, means that there is means there is too much thyroid hormone in the system. Symptoms are weight loss, high basal metabolic rate, sweating, nervousness, and rapid heart rate. Hypothyroidism, also known as myxedema, is when there is not enough secretion of thyroid hormones. The symptoms are the exact opposite there is weight gain, lethargy, mental sluggishness, and reduced heart rate.

Doctor Robert J. Graves, in which this disease was named after, first noticed Graves’ disease in a patient during 1835. However, no one knows what exactly caused this disease; it causes the thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism). In which your immune system then creates an antibody that causes the thyroid to grow and make more thyroid hormone than your body needs. Graves’ disease is a genetic condition that affects women more than men.

Hypothyroidism is a lack of activity in the Thyroid (the Endocrine gland), which is located in the neck. Because it is a part of the Endocrine gland, it plays a major role in the hormonal system; which may cause complications with the pituitary (located in the brain), the ovaries or the testes.

Undiagnosed thyroid disease whether hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can cause complications; some more serious than others. One of the most serious risks with hypothyroidism is Myxedema Coma. This is when the thyroid levels get too low. Other complications for hypothyroidism are low temperature, bradycardia, bradypnea, low glucose levels, infection, heart failure, miscarriages, infertility, preterm delivery, and

Both hypo and hyperthyroidism are a result of a disease in caused by malfunction of the thyroid gland located in the neck as represented by the image below left. The causes of chronic hypothyroidism are fairly distinct. Around the world in third-world and developing countries, iodine deficiency is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. This used to be true as well for developed countries, but today this is a less common cause as iodine usually finds its way into our diets without too much trouble. In modern-day developed countries, hypothyroidism is mainly a result of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a birth defect which lacks a thyroid gland or a deficiency of hormones from either the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland.

The central effects of hyperthyroidism are most pronounced in development. Cerebral circulation and oxygen consumption elevate. "In hyperthyroidism, Beta-adrenergic binding sites in the cerebral cortex increases and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) binding sites are decreases." (Bucurescu,2014). Brain levels of serotonin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and substance P are altered. Native pain sensitivity and number of opiate receptors are increases. Thyroid hormones affect myelination, therefore increased levels lead to oxidative damage to the myelin membrane and/or the oligodendroglial cells. The neurological manifestation is primarily due to the effect of thyroid hormones on other neurotransmitters, hormones, and generalized increased basal metabolic rate. Some of the neurological symptoms are: