Am I Suspected Thyroid?

i am sooo worried bout my health lately ni...aii..yesterday my 3rd sister called..ingat kan ape..rupe2 nye dia pun doc dah mengesahkan ader THYROID...aduii..sblum ni..kak long memang dah siap operate lagi dah..tp still ader lg thyroid tu,so dia kena bergantung ngan ubat lagi la...masuk lak abg aku..pun dah ader thyroid...baru2 ni,after kak na gift birth to Iman..dia pun dah disah kan ader thyroid...mane tahu..smalam Enis (3rd sis) dah ade thyroid....sehhh!!!so husband dah sibuk suruh g check jugak dah...ini la yg menakutkan akuu...uwaa!!!takut laaa..Frankly Speaking aku memang takut ngan ape2 saje yg membabitkan hospital,clinic etc...

So let's we talk more about thyroid disease..i need more info about this!

1. What is the Thyroid?

The thyroid is a small gland, shaped like a butterfly, located in the lower part of your neck. The function of a gland is to secrete hormones. The main hormones released by the thyroid are triiodothyronine, abbreviated as T3, and thyroxine, abbreviated as T4. These thyroid hormones deliver energy to cells of the body

    2. What Diseases and Conditions Affect the Thyroid?

    The most common problems that develop in the thyroid include:

1. Hypothyroidism -- An underactive thyroid.
2. Hyperthyroidism -- An overactive thyroid.
3. Goiter -- An enlarged thyroid.
4. Thyroid Nodules -- Lumps in the thyroid gland.
5. Thyroid Cancer -- Malignant thyroid nodules or tissue.
6. Thyroiditis -- Inflammation of the thyroid.

Hypothyroidism

When the thyroid gland is underactive, improperly formed at birth, surgically removed all or in part, or becomes incapable of producing enough thyroid hormone, a person is said to be hypothyroid. One of the most common causes of hypothyroidism is the autoimmune disease called Hashimoto's disease, in which antibodies gradually target the thyroid and destroy its ability to produce thyroid hormone.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism usually go along with a slowdown in metabolism, and can include fatigue, weight gain, and depression, among others.
 

Hyperthyroidism

When the thyroid gland becomes overactive and produces too much thyroid hormone, a person is said to be hyperthyroid. The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is the autoimmune condition known as Graves' disease, where antibodies target the gland and cause it to speed up hormone production.

Autoimmune Thyroid Disease

Most thyroid dysfunction such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism is due to autoimmune thyroid disease. Autoimmune disease refers to a condition where the body's natural ability to differentiate between its tissues, organs and glands, vs. outside bacteria, viruses or pathogens, becomes disrupted. This causes the immune system to wrongly mount an attack on the affected area, by producing antibodies. In the case of autoimmune thyroid disease, antibodies either gradually destroy the thyroid, or make it overactive.

Goiter/Thyroid Nodules

Sometimes the thyroid becomes enlarged -- due to Hashimoto's disease, Graves' disease, nutritional deficiencies, or other thyroid imbalances. When the thyroid become enlarged, this is known as a goiter.

Some people develop solid or liquid filled cysts, lumps, bumps and tumors -- both benign and cancerous -- in the thyroid gland. These are known as thyroid nodules.

Thyroid Cancer

A small percentage of thyroid nodules are cancerous. While thyroid cancer is a rare cancer, it's on the rise.

 Treatments

• Surgery is usually performed for thyroid cancer, for some cases of goiter or nodule, and less commonly, as a hyperthyroidism treatment. Read Thyroid Surgery for a detailed overview of what to expect from thyroid surgery.
• Thyroid drugs are an important part of treatment for many patients. Read All About Thyroid Hormone Replacement Drugs, which provides an overview of the key drug treatments. It's also important to know How To Take Your Thyroid Hormone Replacement Medication. There are also controversies in thyroid hormone replacement, including the T4/T3 Thyroid Drug Controversy, and the Armour Thyroid/Desiccated Thyroid Controversy.
• Treatment of Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism considers antithyroid drug treatment, radioactive iodine ablation, and surgery for an overactive thyroid

Some people don't feel well, even after treatment. If you fall into this category, you're probably frustrated, but there are solutions. Try some of the 10 Ways to Feel Better with Thyroid Disease. And be sure to read My TSH Test Results Are Normal, But I Still Have Symptoms.

Doctors for Your Thyroid Treatments

It's important to find the right doctor for your thyroid care, and to work effectively with that practitioner. An endocrinologist is a specialist in endocrine disorder, including thyroid disease.

Special Issues

• Are you pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding? Thyroid disease poses particular challenges. Explore the Fertility, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Information Center for Thyroid Patients.
• Weight problems and difficulty losing weight are unfortunate side effects for many thyroid patients. Start with this helpful Quiz: Is Your Thyroid Making You Fat? to assess your own situation. Then read Losing Weight with a Thyroid Problem has sound information to get you started losing weight, despite a thyroid condition.
• You'll also want to visit the Thyroid Diet and Weight Loss Information Center has dozens of resources to help.
• You'll also want to sign up for the free 4 Weeks to Weight Loss Email Ecourse to help jumpstart your weight loss efforts, and provide you with new ideas for diet and weight loss.