Overview

Thyroid disorders can affect metabolism, energy, heart rhythm, and temperature tolerance. The two major patterns are underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) and overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

Symptoms or Presentation

• Hypothyroid pattern: fatigue, weight gain, cold sensitivity, dry skin, constipation, low mood
• Hyperthyroid pattern: palpitations, weight loss, heat sensitivity, anxiety, tremor, sleep difficulty
• Neck fullness or goiter in select patients

Common Causes

• Autoimmune causes such as Hashimoto-pattern or Graves-pattern disease
• Thyroid inflammation (thyroiditis) or nodules
• Medication or prior treatment effects

Treatment or Procedure Pathways

• Hypothyroid care often uses daily thyroid hormone replacement
• Hyperthyroid care can include anti-thyroid medication, radioiodine pathway, or surgery in selected cases
• Long-term follow-up uses lab trend monitoring and dose adjustment