Hypothyroidism And Hyperthyroidism Too Much and Too Little
There are two hormones the the thyroid produces that determine your bodies metabolic rate. They are known by the designators T3 and T4. The thyroid itself is also regulated by a substance known as TSH or Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, manufactured by the pituitary gland to regulate the chemical production activity of the thyroid. It is these three substances that are measured through blood tests that determines the condition of the thyroid.
Hyperthyroidism is the condition where the thyroid is producing too much or an uncontrolled amount of T3and T4. With Hypothyroidism just the opposite is true where the thyroid is underactive and produce either too low or a skewed balance of T3 and T4.
While and under producing thyroid also makes the pituitary gland suspect, empirically it is the underactive thyroid that is ultimately found to be the culprit. Treatment is with oral medication delivering monitored dosages of synthetic thyroid hormones. Dosage is tracked along with overall levels of thyroid hormones found in the blood stream until a desired ratio is found.
After leveling off the amount of medication blood testing intervals are relaxed as each time period verifies a stable hormone level. Blood tests should still be maintained at the minimum one year interval, and patients will normally continue taking and adjusting the levels for their lifetime. Unlike some diseases, hypothyroidism is treated not cured.