The thyroid gland is located in the anterior part of the neck and its primary function is to store and secrete thyroid hormones.

These hormones regulate the function of many organs in the body. They help your brain, heart and muscles work properly. They also assist in regulating inner body temperature, weight and produce energy.

An autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks or overstimulates the thyroid gland. The most common forms of autoimmune thyroid disorders are chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, or Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, which presents with symptoms of an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) and Graves’ disease, which presents with symptoms of an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

There are several variants of AITDs. For example, painless thyroiditis and post-partum thyroiditis, which are often transient and present with initial symptoms of hyperthyroidism followed by symptoms of hypothyroidism. In the majority of cases there is a complete recovery of the normal thyroid function. Another type is sub-acute thyroiditis, which often presents with anterior neck pain, fever and symptoms of hyperthyroidism after a viral illness.

According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) the prevalence of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism in the US is estimated to be 5 percent and 1.3 percent respectively. Studies have shown that there are genetic and environmental factors that increase the likelihood of developing an AITD. Examples include female gender, advanced age, family history of thyroid diseases, smoking, exposure to radiation, iodine excess or iodine deficiency and certain medications can increase your chances of developing an AITD.

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Fatigue
Cold intolerance
Weight gain
Dry skin, thick skin, hair loss
New snoring, carpal tunnel syndrome
Irregular menses
Slow heart beat
Constipation

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism

Irritability, Nervousness
Increased sweating
Heart racing
Shaky hands
Difficulty sleeping
Thinning of your skin and hair
Frequent bowel movements
Weight loss despite good appetite
Irregular menses

Note: Some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can overlap with other medical conditions and therefore could be experienced in patients with normal thyroid function. It is important to consult your doctor if you think you may be experiencing these symptoms.

The thyroid hormones levels required for your body to work properly change at different stages of a persons’ life. For example, pregnant women need slightly higher levels compared to patients over the age of 70. There are also different levels of thyroid dysfunction that may prompt your provider to initiate thyroid hormone replacement. It all depends on your age, symptoms, individual risk factors and other medical conditions.

The bottom line is that there are several types of autoimmune thyroid diseases and different degrees of thyroid dysfunction. Some of them will recover spontaneously, while others will persist and require lifelong treatment. It is important to consult an endocrinologist that can help establish the correct diagnosis from the beginning and can help with the long-term management of your thyroid disorder.