Which is worse underactive or overactive thyroid?

The difference between an underactive and an overactive thyroid is: An underactive thyroid can be easily treated with hormone replacement (thyroxine) with no side effects. An overactive thyroid is a potentially fatal health condition if left undiagnosed and untreated.

Which one is worse hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism?

Neither is worse than the other. Both can lead to death in the most severe cases. However, hypothyroidism is 5 times more common than hyperthyroidism. In severe cases, hypothyroidism can lead to heart disease and myxedema coma, both of which can lead to death.

Is an overactive thyroid serious?

In rare cases, an undiagnosed or poorly controlled overactive thyroid can lead to a serious, life-threatening condition called a thyroid storm. This is a sudden flare-up of symptoms that can be triggered by: an infection.

Is an underactive thyroid serious?

If an underactive thyroid is not treated, it can lead to complications, including heart disease, goitre, pregnancy problems and a life-threatening condition called myxoedema coma (although this is very rare).

Can an underactive thyroid change to overactive?

Sometimes, if you have an underactive thyroid that becomes overactive, the cause is too much thyroid hormone replacement therapy. While it's rare for someone with an underactive thyroid to develop spontaneous hyperthyroidism without excess thyroid hormone medication, it is possible.

The Underactive and Overactive Thyroid | Stephanie Smooke, MD, and Angela Leung, MD | UCLAMDChat

Is overactive thyroid caused by stress?

As mentioned earlier, hyperthyroidism isn't caused by stress, but that doesn't mean the two aren't related. For those that already have symptoms of hyperthyroidism, physical or mental stress can make them even worse.

What are the first signs of overactive thyroid?

What is the main cause of underactive thyroid?

Most cases of an underactive thyroid are caused by the immune system attacking the thyroid gland and damaging it, or by damage that occurs as a result of treatments for thyroid cancer or an overactive thyroid.

Is it better to have over or underactive thyroid?

The difference between an underactive and an overactive thyroid is: An underactive thyroid can be easily treated with hormone replacement (thyroxine) with no side effects. An overactive thyroid is a potentially fatal health condition if left undiagnosed and untreated.

What is the life expectancy of someone with an underactive thyroid?

With treatment, life expectancy with hypothyroidism should be relatively normal. Hypothyroidism is usually treated with medications containing synthetic versions of the thyroid hormone, such as Levothyroxine tablets.

What foods to avoid if you have an overactive thyroid?

What happens to your body when your thyroid is overactive?

Hyperthyroidism happens when the thyroid gland makes too much thyroid hormone. This condition also is called overactive thyroid. Hyperthyroidism speeds up the body's metabolism. That can cause many symptoms, such as weight loss, hand tremors, and rapid or irregular heartbeat.

What does it feel like to have an overactive thyroid?

An overactive thyroid speeds up bodily systems, including digestion. You may notice more frequent bowel movements or even diarrhea. Rapid heartbeat. Feel like your heart is pumping too fast, skipping a beat or fluttering, even when you're not exercising?

Does hyperthyroidism shorten life expectancy?

The longer you have excess thyroid hormones circulating in your body, the greater the likelihood of an earlier death. On the other hand, controlling hyperthyroidism early in its course can result in less chance of developing cardiovascular disease and suffering its fatal complications.

Do you gain weight with hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism?

Hypothyroidism causes symptoms like slowed metabolism, tiredness, and weight gain. Having an underactive thyroid can decrease or slow down your bodily functions. With hyperthyroidism, you may find yourself with more energy, as opposed to less. You may experience weight loss as opposed to weight gain.

Which is easier to treat hypo or hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism can be more difficult to treat than hypothyroidism, which can usually be managed by taking synthetic thyroid hormone. The options for overactive thyroid treatment include: Antithyroid medications, such as methimazole, that cause the thyroid to make less hormone.

Does underactive thyroid get worse with age?

The endocrine organs, including the thyroid gland, undergo important functional changes during aging. It is known that the prevalence of thyroid disorders increases with age. Importantly, subclinical disturbances of thyroid function are more frequent than overt diseases in the elderly.

What does an underactive thyroid do to your weight?

Since the BMR in a person with hypothyroidism is decreased, an underactive thyroid is generally associated with some weight gain. The weight gain is often greater in those individuals with more severe hypothyroidism.

Can I heal my underactive thyroid?

Treatment for hypothyroidism usually includes taking the thyroid hormone medicine levothyroxine (Levo-T, Synthroid, others) every day. This medicine is taken by mouth. It returns hormone levels to a healthy range, eliminating symptoms of hypothyroidism.

What organs does an underactive thyroid affect?

Hypothyroidism can affect the heart and circulatory system in several ways. Lower production of thyroid hormone slows your heart rate. Hypothyroidism also makes the arteries less elastic, and blood pressure rises in order to circulate blood around the body.

How do you beat an underactive thyroid?

How can I boost my underactive thyroid naturally?

What age does overactive thyroid start?

An overactive thyroid can affect anyone, but it's about 10 times more common in women than men, and typically happens between 20 and 40 years of age.

How can I relax my overactive thyroid?

What can trigger hyperthyroidism?