
Hypothyroidism vs. Hyperthyroidism
When it comes to thyroid issues, one the most important things to understand is hypothyroidism vs. hyperthyroidism.
Hypothyroidism
Thyroid under-activity is known as hypothyroidism. When this happens, the thyroid gland does not produce enough of the thyroid hormone. This can cause a person to tire easily, experience low body temperature, weight gain, cold hands and feet, dry skin, trouble focusing and potentially, depression.
Hyperthyroidism
When the thyroid is overactive (hyperthyroidism), it is producing too much thyroid hormone. This can cause difficulty concentrating, fatigue, nervousness, uncontrollable weight loss, sweating goiter, anxiety, shaky hands, profuse sweating, racing heart and bulging eyes.
Current estimates suggest that 27 million Americans suffer from hypo or hyperthyroidism. Many experts view this as just the tip of the iceberg because they have begun to discover that cases of subclinical hypothyroidism vastly outnumber those that have been diagnosed clinically.
Hypothyroidism: The Undiagnosed Epidemic
According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, diagnosed thyroid disorders are 40% more prevalent than diabetes, making thyroid issues the most common endocrine disorder. Consider then, the strong evidence suggesting that the majority of thyroid conditions go undiagnosed and the numbers become staggering. As a result, thyroid disease is viewed by many experts as one of the silent epidemics of our time. As with many of today’s illnesses, the increased incidence of thyroid disease may be linked to an over-burden of toxins caused by pollution through air, water and food.
When comparing hypothyroidism vs. hyperthyroidism, the differences are staggering, but the effects are equally devastating. If you have any of the symptoms listed above, we recommend exploring them further.