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weakness
fatigue
dizziness
dark skin
black freckles
If not treated, Addison's disease may lead to severe abdominal pain, extreme weakness,
low blood pressure, kidney failure, and shock -- especially when the patient is
experiencing physical stress.
The symptoms of Addison's disease may resemble other conditions or medical problems.
Consult a physician for diagnosis.
How is Addison's disease diagnosed?
In addition to a complete medical history and medical examination, diagnostic procedures
for Addison's disease may include:
Since Addison's disease can be life threatening, treatment often begins with
administration of corticosteroids. Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, may be taken
orally or intravenously, depending on the patient's condition. Usually the patient has to
continue taking the corticosteroid the rest of his/her life. Treatment may also include
taking fludrocortisone, a drug that helps restore the body's level of sodium and potassium.
FAC T :
Corticosteroids help the body
respond to stress. Elevated levels
of these hormones are often
found in pregnant women,
athletes, and people suffering
from depression, alcoholism,
malnutrition, and panic
disorders.
The symptoms of overactive adrenal glands may resemble other conditions or medical problems.
Consult a physician for diagnosis.
How are overactive adrenal glands diagnosed?
In addition to a complete medical history and medical examination, diagnostic procedures for
overactive adrenal glands may include:
Treatment may include surgical removal of growths or the adrenal gland(s) itself. Certain drugs that
block the excessive production of certain hormones may also be administered.
What is Cushing's syndrome?
Cushing's syndrome is the result of the excessive production of corticosteroids by the adrenal glands.
An overproduction of corticotropin -- the hormone that controls the adrenal gland -- by the pituitary
gland, which stimulates the adrenal glands to produce corticosteroids, may be one cause. In addition,
certain lung cancers and other tumors outside the pituitary gland may produce corticotropins. Other
causes include benign or cancerous tumors on the adrenal glands.
What are the symptoms of Cushing's syndrome?
The following are the most common symptoms. However, each individual may experience symptoms
differently. Symptoms may include:
The symptoms of Cushing's syndrome may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Consult a
physician for diagnosis.
How is Cushing's syndrome diagnosed?
In addition to a complete medical history and medical examination, diagnostic procedures for
Cushing's syndrome may include:
computed tomography (CT or CAT scan) - a non-invasive procedure that takes crosssectional images of the brain or other internal organs; to detect any abnormalities
that may not show up on an ordinary x-ray
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - a non-invasive procedure that produces twodimensional views of an internal organ or structure, especially the brain or spinal
cord
rapid pulse
palpitations
headache
nausea
vomiting
clammy skin
computed tomography (CT or CAT scan) - a non-invasive procedure that takes crosssectional images of the brain or other internal organs; to detect any abnormalities
that may not show up on an ordinary x-ray
radioisotope scan - uses radioactive substances introduced into the body to create
an image of the functioning adrenal gland
What is metabolism?
blood tests:
o to measure the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone in the blood which helps
determine thyroid function. High levels of the hormone indicate an underactive
thyroid.
o to measure levels of hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyroxine (T3), and to
measure a protein called thyroxine-binding globulin.
ultrasound exam of the thyroid gland - to detect signs of growth and other
irregularities. (An ultrasound scan is a diagnostic technique which uses highfrequency sound waves to create an image of the internal organs.)
thyroid scans using radioactive iodine or technetium (a radioactive metallic element) to reveal any physical abnormalities of the thyroid.
functional stimulation tests - tests that help differentiate whether the problem lies with
the pituitary gland or the thyroid gland. One such test includes injecting thyrotropinreleasing hormone and measuring the pituitary's response.
Hyperthyroidism
What is hyperthyroidism?
Hyperthyroidism means overactivity of the thyroid gland, resulting in too much thyroid hormone in
the bloodstream. The oversecretion of thyroid hormones leads to overactivity of the body's
metabolism.
What are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism?
The following are the most common symptoms of hyperthyoidism. However, each individual may
experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
nervousness
irritability
increased perspiration
thinning of the skin
fine, brittle hair
weak muscles, especially in the upper arms and thighs
shaky hands
fast heartbeat
high blood pressure
increased bowel movements
weight loss
sleeping difficulty
eye sensitivity to light
staring
confusion
irregular menstrual cycle
The symptoms of hyperthyroidism may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Consult a
physician for diagnosis.
Types of hyperthyroidism:
There are several forms of hyperthyroidism, including:
Graves' disease (diffuse toxic goiter)
Graves' disease is most often associated with hyperthyroidism. Researchers believe Graves' disease is
caused by an antibody which stimulates the thyroid too much, in turn causing the excess production of
thyroid hormone. Graves' disease is categorized as an autoimmune disorder (a dysfunction of the
body's immune system). The disease is most common in young to middle-aged women and tends to
run in families.
Symptoms of Graves' disease are identical to hyperthyroidism, with the addition of three other
symptoms. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. The three additional
symptoms include:
of toxic nodular goiter do not include bulging eyes or skin problems, as in Graves' disease. The cause
of toxic nodular goiter is not known.
thyroiditis
Thyroiditis causes temporary hyperthyroidism, usually followed with hypothyroidism (an underactive
thyroid). Thyroiditis is an inflammation of the thyroid gland. There are three types of thyroiditis:
Hashimoto's thyroiditis
subacute granulomatous thyroiditis
silent lymphocytic thyroiditis
In addition, if a person takes too many thyroid hormone tablets, hyperthyroidism may occur.
How is hyperthyroidism diagnosed?
In addition to a complete medical history and medical examination, diagnostic procedures for
hyperthyroidism may include:
use of antithyroid drugs that help lower the level of thyroid hormones in the blood.
use of radioactive iodine, in the form of a pill or liquid, which damages thyroid cells so
that production of thyroid hormones is slowed down.
use of beta blocking agents, which block the action of thyroid hormone on the body
(these drugs do not change the levels of thyroid hormone in the blood, but make the
patient feel better).
Hypothyroidism
What is hypothyroidism?
Hypothyroidism is the condition in which the thyroid is
underactive (i.e., it is producing an insufficient amount of thyroid
FAC T :
hormones). Hypothyroidism is the most common thyroid disorder.
In
underdeveloped
countries, a
Severe hypothyroidism can lead to a condition called myxedema,
chronic
lack
of
iodine
in a diet is
characterized by dry, thickened skin and coarse facial features.
a major cause of hypothyroidism
because the thyroid needs iodine
Causes of hypothyroidism:
to produce thyroid hormones.
The most common cause of hypothyroidism is an autoimmune
Due
to the addition of iodine to
reaction, where the body produces antibodies against the thyroid
table
salt and iodine-laced
gland. One such autoimmune disorder is called Hashimoto's
disinfectants used on cows'
thyroiditis, an inflammation of the thyroid gland. Other causes
udders, this cause of
include treatment of hyperthyroidism such as radioactive iodine
hypothyroidism
has disappeared
treatment or surgery.
in the US.
What are the symptoms of hypothyroidism?
Symptoms of hypothyroidism are usually very subtle and gradual and may be mistaken for symptoms
of depression. The following are the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism. However, each
individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
Untreated hypothyroidism may lead to anemia, low body temperature, and heart failure.
The symptoms of hypothyroidism may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Consult a
physician for diagnosis.
A condition called secondary hypothyroidism sometimes occurs as a result of a failing pituitary gland.
When the pituitary gland fails, it no longer stimulates the thyroid to produce thyroid hormones.
How is hypothyroidism diagnosed?
In addition to a complete medical history and medical examination, diagnostic procedures for
hypothyroidism may include blood tests to measure levels of thyroid hormones and the thyroidstimulating hormones produced by the pituitary gland.
Treatment of hypothyroidism:
The goal of treatment is to restore the thyroid gland to normal function, producing normal levels of
thyroid hormones. Specific treatment for hypothyroidism will be determined by your physician based
on:
Treatment may include prescription of thyroid hormones to replace the deficient hormones. Dosage of
thyroid hormone may need to be increased over the years. Yearly or biyearly checkups are usually
required to ensure the proper dosage of thyroid hormones is taken.
A patient usually takes thyroid hormones for the rest of his/her
Did you know?
life.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the
most common cause of
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
hypothyroidism.
What is Hashimoto's thyroiditis?
Thyroiditis is the inflammation of the thyroid gland. Hashimoto's
thyroiditis is the most common form of thyroiditis. Classified as
an autoimmune disorder, Hashimoto's thyroiditis causes an
autoimmune reaction, with antibodies attacking the thyroid gland.
The cause of Hashimoto thyroiditis is unknown.
What are the symptoms of Hashimoto's thyroiditis?
The following are the most common symptoms. However, each
individual may experience symptoms differently:
fatigue
muscle weakness
weight gain
The symptoms of Hashimoto's thyroiditis may resemble other conditions or medical problems.
Consult a physician for diagnosis.
How is Hashimoto thyroiditis diagnosed?
In addition to a complete medical history and medical examination, diagnostic procedures for
Hashimoto thyroiditis may include blood tests to detect levels of thyroid hormone and thyroid
antibodies.
Treatment for Hashimoto's thyroiditis:
Specific treatment for Hashimoto's thyroiditis will be determined by your physician based on:
Thyroid Tumors
What are thyroid tumors?
Thyroid tumors are either benign (noncancerous) or
malignant (cancerous) growths. Examples of benign
tumors are adenomas, which secrete thyroid hormone.
Malignant tumors are more rare and are found in many
stages of malignancy.
hoarseness or loss of voice as the cancer presses on the nerves to the voice box
difficulty swallowing as the cancer presses on the throat
However, the symptoms of thyroid cancer may resemble other conditions or medical
problems. Consult a physician for diagnosis.
Diagnosis of thyroid cancer:
In addition to a complete medical history and medical examination, diagnostic procedures
for thyroid cancer may include:
thyroid scan
ultrasound
biopsy - taking a sample of the nodule with a needle for examination under a
microscope
follicular
thyroid
cancer
Follicular thyroid cancer occurs most often among elderly patients and
accounts for about 15 percent of thyroid cancer cases. This type of
thyroid cancer is more aggressive and tends to spread through the
bloodstream to other parts of the body.
anaplastic
thyroid
cancer
medullary
thyroid
cancer
radiation therapy
Hyperparathyroidism
What is hyperparathyroidism?
Hyperparathyroidism is caused by overactive parathyroid glands. Overactive parathyroid glands
produce too much parathyroid hormones, which in turn stimulate increased levels of calcium in the
blood stream.
The excess calcium released by the bones leads to osteoporosis and osteomalacia (both boneweakening diseases). Other results of hyperparathyroidism are kidney stones, because of high levels of
calcium excreted into the urine by the kidneys.
Causes of hyperparathyroidism include benign tumors on the parathyroid glands or enlargement of the
parathyroid glands.
What are symptoms of hyperparathyroidism?
The following are the most common symptoms of hyperparathyroidism. However, each individual
may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
The symptoms of hyperparathyroidism may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Consult a
physician for diagnosis.
bone x-rays
laboratory tests to measure calcium and parathyroid hormone levels