Causes

• Hyperthyroidism may be caused by inflammation of the thyroid gland, thyroid nodules and Graves' disease. Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder, is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. This disorder causes antibodies to stimulate the thyroid gland into producing more hormones than the body needs. It is unknown what causes Graves' disease. Hypothyroidism may be caused by radiation treatments to the neck that may damage the thyroid gland, radiation to the brain and certain drugs such as lithium, as well as other, unknown reasons.
  
  

Symptoms

• Hyperthyroidism symptoms include sudden weight loss, rapid heartbeat, increased appetite, anxiety, fatigue and difficulty sleeping. Hypothyroidism symptoms include thin brittle hair and fingernails, pale dry skin, constipation, depression, weight gain and weakness.
  
  

Diagnosis

• A physical exam and blood tests to determine the amount of hormones being produced by the thyroid gland will be used for both thyroid diseases. The lab test is called a TSH test and levels of this hormone will be elevated in hypothyroidism and low or non-existent in hyperthyroidism. Blood levels of T3 and T4 hormones will be in the low range for hypothyroidism. An antithyroid antibody test may be given to test for Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease in which the body's defenses attack the thyroid gland. In some cases a thyroid ultrasound or thyroid scan may be taken to evaluate a thyroid gland that appears abnormal.
  
  

Hyperthyroidism Treatment

• Radioactive iodine shrinks the thyroid gland, causing symptoms to decrease. This treatment may take three to six months to see a noticeable difference. Anti-thyroid medications such as Tapazole prevents the thyroid from producing hormones, reducing symptoms. The treatment can take 6 to 12 weeks to work and you may have to stay on the treatment for a year or longer. Beta blockers do not affect the thyroid gland, but can reduce a rapid heart rate. Surgery is the last option if other treatments fail. The thyroid is removed and you will need a lifelong treatment of levothyroxine to supply the body with this hormone.
  
  

Hypothyroidism Treatment

• Common treatment for hypothyroidism is an oral synthetic hormone medication, Levothroid or Levoyxl. This medication restores the hormones your thyroid gland does not produce, thereby relieving symptoms. The dosage can be tricky and your doctor will need to keep checking thyroid hormone levels in two to three months to make sure your dosage is adequate, and then each year after. Some people may prefer to try natural hormone treatment for hypothyroidism. Armour thyroid hormone is taken twice a day, usually 20 minutes past breakfast and dinner and it is recommended to chew the pill instead of swallowing it. There can be much difficulty in finding the proper dosage and the right type of treatment in hypothyroidism. You may have to visit your doctor often and take several blood tests before the correct dosage and type of treatment is found for you.
  
  Some foods, supplements and medications can affect the way hormone medications are absorbed by the body. High-fiber foods eaten in large amounts such as broccoli, popcorn, beans, bran muffins and bran flakes can cause trouble with absorption. Iron and calcium supplements and aluminum hydroxide found in some types of antacids can also limit absorption of hormone medications. Discuss with your doctor any special diet, medication and supplements you might be on and he can guide you in what may harm your recovery efforts.