Swollen Thyroid Symptoms

The human body has numerous glands that release hormones, useful chemicals, that are required in various body processes. The manufacturing of these hormones is critical as they influence various biological processes in our body. For instance, the thyroid gland secretes two hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) that chiefly 'keep an eye' on the metabolic rate of our body. Besides regulating metabolism, these thyroid hormones also assist in maintaining body temperature.

Swollen thyroid describes a condition in which the size of the thyroid gland increases abnormally. This thyroid problem can elevate or decrease synthesis of hormones T3 and T4. These fluctuations in thyroid levels in the blood can trigger a wide range of symptoms. It is discussed in the next slides:

Swollen thyroid, in developed countries, has primarily been attributed to autoimmune disorders like Hashimito's disease and Graves' disease. In both of these thyroid problems, the immune system initiates actions that eventually cause harm to the thyroid tissues. However, a thyroid cancer too can make this glandular organ abnormally large and cause throat pain.

Symptoms will vary depending upon the condition affecting the thyroid gland. Here are some enlarged thyroid symptoms that signal the occurrence of specific thyroid condition.

In Hashimoto's disease, the immune response against the thyroid gland leaves it impaired. In simple terms, the immune system attack damages the thyroid gland to an extent that hormone production goes on the back burner. The disabled thyroid gland finds it extremely difficult to manufacture thyroid hormones.

So, one can say that the consequence of Hashimoto's disease is hypothyroidism (low thyroid production). Hence symptoms of Hashimoto's disease mimic those linked with hypothyroidism. These are mentioned below:

• Excessive tiredness
• Sensitivity to cold
• Infrequent bowel movement (constipation)
• Muscle weakness and cramps

• Increase in weight
• Leg, foot and ankle swelling
• High Cholesterol Levels
• Hypersomnia (feeling excessively sleepy)
• Stiff and swollen joints, especially in the hands and knees
• Migraine
• Abnormally high menstrual bleeding

With no treatment, hypothyroidism symptoms associated with Hashimoto's disease tend to aggravate. Thus severe hypothyroidism causes reduced heart rate, puffy eyes and even decreases the ability of the heart to pump sufficient blood. This condition is referred as heart failure and may be followed by fall in body temperature.

Left untreated chronic hypothyroidism can impair brain function, a condition commonly referred as myxedema coma. In addition, low thyroid levels for long periods of time can adversely affect the heart. It may aggravate heart failure problems, cause enlargement of the heart and even fluid retention in the lungs, thereby triggering breathing problems.

Graves' disease is yet another from the category of autoimmune disorder, but, in this case the impact of immune system attack is exactly the opposite to that of Hashimoto's disease. This is because, the thyroid gland struck by the immune system becomes overactive, leading to hyperthyroidism.

The overactive thyroid gland produces surplus amount of hormone and the symptoms associated with it are as follows:

• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Intolerance to heat
• Unexplained weight loss
• Brittle hair
• Racy heart or abnormal heartbeats
• Sleeping problems
• Excessive sweating
• Irregular menstruation
• Reddened skin

In its early stages of development, thyroid cancer may not produce any symptoms. However, as it spreads symptoms may soon start appearing. The cancerous growth in the thyroid gland may trouble the patient in the following way:

• Trouble in breathing or swallowing food
• Swelling of lymph nodes in the neck area
• Throat pain
• Hoarseness of voice
• Localized enlargement in the frontal part of the neck

In case any of these health issues occur and keep on persistently bothering you, talking to a qualified doctor is utmost important, before the symptoms aggravate. The doctor will initially do a physical examination to check for any swelling in the neck area. This may be followed by thyroid tests in which blood sample is taken out to evaluate (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) TSH levels in blood. TSH levels above normal point to hyperthyroidism, whereas below normal levels indicate hypothyroidism.

A biopsy, a procedure involving taking out a small part of thyroid tissue using a needle to look for cancerous growth might also be done to determine the presence of thyroid cancer.

Based on the results medications will be prescribed accordingly to relieve the symptoms. It must be noted that the iodine deficiency that is common in underdeveloped countries can also cause enlarged thyroid and the symptoms associated with it are similar to those as described here.