Many people don't know that the thyroid gland is an essential gland of the endocrine system. It's a butterfly shaped gland that secretes hormones, which are necessary for the body to function normally. To achieve this purpose, the thyroid hormones must be present in the body in a fixed amount –not too much and no too little. Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) and underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) are two common conditions globally. Almost 200 million people in the world suffer from a thyroid disorder. Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism have numerous differences and similarities in many aspects such as symptoms and signs, causes, diagnosis and ways of treatment. .
Symptoms and signs of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are different but slightly similar, however, They vary depending on the level of the thyroid hormone secretion and the age of the patient. One thing that the hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism patients have in common is that they all develop a "goiter" which is an enlargement in the neck. On the contrary, the difference between hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism patients is the sensitivity to certain temperatures. Hyperthyroidism patients are intolerance to warm weather, whereas hypothyroidism patients are sensitive to cold weather. Another symptom is observed on the patients' weigh. Hyperthyroidism patients lose weigh despite their increased appetite. Contrarily, hypothyroidism patients gain weigh although they have decreased appetite. There's also an important sign that can be easily noticed, which is irregular heart rate. Hyperthyroidism patients have increased heart rate. The exact opposite happens to hypothyroidism patients; they basically suffer from slow heart rate. People who are experiencing any of these symptoms are advised to set an appointment with the endocrinologist. .
Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are a result of a malfunction in the thyroid gland.