Types of Thyroid Disorders

There are several types of thyroid diseases. Some of the common types of hypothyroidism are:

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
Lymphocytic Thyroiditis
Thyroid Destruction
Pituitary or Hypothalamic Disease
Pituitary Injury
and Severe Iodine Deficiency.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is one of the types of thyroid disorders. Hypothyroidism is condition when the production of the thyroid hormone is below the level of normal production. Hypothyroidism can be produced as a complication of several types of diseases.

The thyroid gland is affected by it directly or indirectly. Since the thyroid hormone is involved in the factors like growth, development and several cellular processes, inadequate amount of the thyroid hormone that is produced due to hypothyroidism can affect the body in a number of ways. It has been estimated that about 3 to 5% of the total existing population suffers from one or the other forms of hypothyroidism.

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

The Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is the most common forms of hypothyroidism. In the United States of America, the disease called Hashimoto's thyroiditis is believed to be a genetic disorder which is inherited to generations.

Hashimoto's can be called an autoimmune disease where in the immune system of the body attacks the tissues of the thyroid gland inappropriately. Hashimoto's is 5 to 10 times more common in women than in men. Blood samples drawn from patients with this disease reveal an increased number of antibodies to the enzyme, thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO antibodies).

Since the basis for autoimmune diseases may have a common origin, it is not unusual to find that a patient with Hashimoto's thyroiditis has one or more other autoimmune diseases such as diabetes or pernicious anemia ( B12 deficiency). Hashimoto's can be identified by detecting anti-TPO antibodies in the blood and by performing a thyroid scan.

Lymphocytic Thyroiditis

Lymphocytic Thyroiditis is the other common type of hypothyroidism causes inflammation of the thyroid gland. When the white blood cells or lymphocytes cause inflammation then this condition is known as lymphocytic thyroiditis.

The Pituitary disease or the Hypothalamic disease occurs when the hypothalamus fails to send signals to the thyroid due to which the thyroid hormones are not produced in adequate amounts. When caused by the pituitary it is called secondary hypothyroidism. But if the defect is caused by a hypothalamic disease it is known as tertiary hypothyroidism.

Thyroid destruction

Thyroid destruction secondary to radioactive iodine or surgery: Patients who have been treated for a hyperthyroid condition and received radioactive iodine may be left with little or no functioning thyroid tissue after treatment.

The likelihood of this depends on a number of factors including the dose of iodine given, along with the size and the activity of the thyroid gland. If there is no significant activity of the thyroid gland six months after the radioactive iodine treatment, it is usually assumed that the thyroid will no longer function adequately. The result is hypothyroidism. Similarly, removal of the thyroid gland during surgery will be followed by hypothyroidism.

Pituitary or Hypothalamic disease

If for some reason the pituitary gland or the hypothalamus are unable to signal the thyroid and instruct it to produce thyroid hormones, a decreased level of circulating T4 and T3 may result, even if the thyroid gland itself is normal. If this defect is caused by pituitary disease, the condition is called "secondary hypothyroidism." If the defect is due to hypothalamic disease, it is called "tertiary hypothyroidism."

A Pituitary Injury

A pituitary injury may result after brain surgery or if there has been a decrease of blood supply to the area. In these cases of pituitary injury, the TSH that is produced by the pituitary gland is deficient and blood levels of TSH are low. This form of hypothyroidism can be distinguished from hypothyroidism that is caused by thyroid gland disease, in which the TSH level becomes elevated as the pituitary gland attempts to encourage thyroid hormone production by stimulating the thyroid gland with more TSH.

Usually, hypothyroidism from pituitary gland injury occurs in conjunction with other hormone deficiencies, since the pituitary regulates other processes such as growth, reproduction, and adrenal function.

Severe Iodine Deficiency

In areas of the world where there is an iodine deficiency in the diet, severe hypothyroidism can be seen in 5 to 15% of the population. Examples of these areas include Zaire, Ecuador, India, and Chile. Severe iodine deficiency is also seen in remote mountain areas such as the Andes and the Himalayas. Since the addition of iodine to table salt and to bread, iodine deficiency is rarely seen in the United States.

Natural Supplement For Hypothyroidism - Thyax

Thyax is a natural supplement designed to help your thyroid function normally. Thyax can be taken with desiccated thyroid medications to help your thyroid produce thyroxine.

The ingredients in Thyax provide support to your thyroid to help you regain a balance of the many thyroid-related chemical reactions that take place in the body on a daily basis. As a dietary supplement, take two capsules in the morning and two capsules in the evening with 8 ounces of water.

A few active ingredients in Thyax are:

Acetyl L-Tyrosine, L-tyrosine complex - Tyrosine is required for synthesis of thyroid hormones, and deficiency of phenylalanine and L-tyrosine has been associated with hypothyroidism.
Iodine (Kelp) - Iodine is a trace element that is required for thyroid hormone synthesis. Deficiency of iodine causes goiter, thyrotoxicosis and developmental disorders in children.
Vitamin B1 (thiamine HCl), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin),Vitamin B3 (niacin),Vitamin B5 (d-Calcium Pantothenate) - These B vitamins are essential for energy production, mood, nervous system function and wound healing.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCL),Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin),Folic Acid - Required for optimal function of the nervous and immune systems, these B vitamins are useful in reducing levels of homocysteine, a detrimental amino acid associated with heart disease.

For a complete list of ingredients in Thyax Click Here.