Complaints under a thyroid hormone disorder | Thyroid hormones

Complaints under a thyroid hormone disorder

According to the functions described above: An underfunctioning of the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism), as occurs for example in the case of iodine deficiency, leads accordingly to opposite symptoms: The causes of these diseases are very different and can be congenital, autoimmune (Graves’ disease) or caused by a tumor. The therapy is correspondingly varied, but in most cases can be treated well by substitution of hormones or suppression of function.

  • An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) to unwanted weight loss
  • Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat)
  • Slight hand trembling
  • Slightly elevated body temperature with increased sweating
  • Nervousness
  • Inner restlessnessand
  • Sleep disorders.
  • Weight gain
  • Slow heart rate (bradycardia)
  • Tiredness
  • Pale dry skin and
  • Scaly, brittle hair.

Task and function of the thyroid gland

The thyroid gland is considered to be very important, as it is crucial for the energy metabolism of the entire body. It produces the following three hormones: triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and calcitonin. T3 and T4 are also colloquially called thyroid hormones, whereas calcitonin plays a more important role in the metabolism of calcium and phosphate and is also produced by so-called C-cells.

For the so-called thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), which come from the actual thyroid cells, the thyroid gland not only has the function of producing, but also of storing. For the production of the hormones, the thyroid gland needs iodine as a building block, which is taken up from food and absorbed exclusively by the thyroid gland via the blood. This is used for example in radioiodine therapy.

The production and storage of hormones takes place in so-called follicles, small fluid vesicles surrounded by cells of the thyroid gland. The hormones are then stored bound to a carrier protein, thyroglobulin. Because of the extremely important function of thyroid hormones, they are also subject to a regulatory cycle through the body.

The thyroid gland, as the releasing organ, is stimulated by two glands located in the head and connected in series. In the so-called hypothalamus, thyrooliberin (synonym TRH) is produced, which then stimulates another gland called the pituitary gland to release the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). This acts directly on the thyroid gland, stimulating the production of T3 and T4 and also mobilizing the stored reserves to raise the blood levels of these hormones.

The hormones T3 and T4 in the blood, on the other hand, have a direct inhibitory effect on the two glands just mentioned, so that they produce and release fewer hormones. If, however, there is not enough T3 and T4 in the blood, this inhibition decreases and the thyroid gland is stimulated to produce and release more thyroid hormones. TSH is a very sensitive parameter for the current thyroid hormone requirement. Therefore this value is determined very often.