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Your thyroid creates and produces hormones that play a role in many different systems throughout your body. When your thyroid makes either too much or too little of these hormones, it’s called thyroid disease.
Thyroid disease impacts about 20 million Americans, but as many as 60% don’t even know they have it. It’s important to get a diagnosis as early as possible — because thyroid disease affects your whole health — body, mind and spirit.
There are several different types of thyroid disease, including hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. We’re going to look more deeply into some of the most common forms of those with a breakdown between Graves’ disease vs. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis — each one an autoimmune thyroid disease on different ends of the spectrum. Read on to learn more.
What Is Graves’ Disease?
Graves’ disease, also known as a form of hyperthyroidism, is an autoimmune thyroid disease that occurs when your body makes too much of the thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The thyroid becomes overactive as a result. If you have hyperthyroidism, you may experience a fast heartbeat, increased appetite, anxiety, sensitivity to heat or sudden weight loss.
Major symptoms of Graves’ disease are puffy eyes, fast heartbeat and swelling of the thyroid gland (goiter). If left untreated, hyperthyroidism can cause bone loss or an irregular heartbeat.
Is Graves’ Disease a Disability?
Graves' disease isn’t classified as a disability in and of itself, but the symptoms and complications it causes can be disabling depending on the person. Whether Graves' disease qualifies as a disability depends on the severity of your symptoms and quality of life, and their impact on your ability to work and perform daily activities.
People with Graves' disease can experience a range of symptoms, including nervousness, tremors, heat sensitivity, fatigue, vision problems and irregular heartbeat. If these symptoms are severe and significantly impact your daily functioning, they may qualify as a disability.
Graves' disease can lead to complications like heart problems, bone loss and vision issues, which can further impact a person’s ability to work.
If you experience symptoms and complications of Graves' disease that prevent you from performing your job duties or engaging in substantial gainful activity, you may qualify for disability benefits. Talk with your doctor to learn more.
Graves’ Disease Life Expectancy
Generally, the prognosis of Graves’ disease can be good with early diagnosis and effective treatment. While Graves’ disease alone is not typically life-threatening, it can cause health complications that may shorten life expectancy.
People with Graves’ disease may have a higher risk of developing serious medical conditions that can sometimes affect life expectancy including:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Thyroid storm (severe complications of hyperthyroidism)
If you experience the following symptoms of a thyroid storm, it’s considered a medical emergency. Call 911 and get to your nearest emergency room:
- Agitation and mental confusion
- Chest pain
- Dehydration
- Excessive sweating
- Fatigue and muscle weakness
- Fever higher than 100°F
- Hallucinations
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
- Rapid heartrate
- Unexplained vomiting and diarrhea
What Is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis?
The thyroid gland controls every aspect of your body’s metabolism. In Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, or hypothyroidism, the gland’s hormone production slows, which slows your metabolism.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. With this autoimmune thyroid disease, your body attacks its own immune system. Over time, this causes the thyroid to stop producing hormones as it should, which leads to hypothyroidism. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis occurs more frequently in women than men.
A common question that comes up is, “Can you have both Hashimoto's and Graves’ disease?” As far as what Graves’ and Hashimoto’s disease have in common, they are both an autoimmune thyroid disease, but you cannot have both as they are opposites. Hashimoto’s disease causes the thyroid to be underactive, while Graves’ disease leads to an overactive thyroid — causing very different symptoms.
Hyperthyroidism vs. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is more common than hyperthyroidism in the U.S. However, it’s not uncommon to have an overactive thyroid and then an underactive thyroid, or vice versa.
Symptoms between the two may present almost like polar opposites. With hyperthyroidism, you may find yourself with more energy and experience weight loss as opposed to weight gain. You may also feel anxious.
Hypothyroidism causes symptoms like slowed metabolism, fatigue and weight gain. Having an underactive thyroid can decrease or slow down your bodily functions. You might experience depression more commonly than anxiety.
Hyperthyroidism Symptoms
- Anxiousness
- Fast heart rate
- Hand tremor
- Irritability
- Muscle weakness
- Trouble sleeping
- Weaker or less frequent menstrual periods
- Weight loss
Hypothyroidism Symptoms
- Cold sensitivity
- Constipation
- Dry skin
- Fatigue
- Forgetfulness
- Weight gain
The most common difference between the two diseases relates to hormone levels. Hypothyroidism leads to a decrease in hormones. Hyperthyroidism leads to an increase in hormone production.
Diagnosing Thyroid Disease
Finding a skilled doctor is an important part of your treatment plan. Your doctor will order a blood test for thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH, also called serum thyrotropin) that’s used to screen for thyroid problems. Because TSH stimulates production of your thyroid hormones, TSH is high when your body is not making enough thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) and low when it makes too much (hyperthyroidism).
What Is a Thyroid Doctor Called?
A doctor who specializes in thyroid disorders is called an endocrinologist. They diagnose and treat conditions related to the thyroid gland. Endocrinologists can provide a range of services, including:
- Diagnosing thyroid conditions such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism
- Performing physical exams and blood tests to assess thyroid function
- Prescribing medications to manage thyroid disorders
- Providing guidance on lifestyle changes that can improve thyroid health
- Performing surgery in some cases, such as to remove a thyroid nodule or gland
You might be wondering why your doctor ordered a thyroid ultrasound. First, if you had an abnormal thyroid function test, your doctor would want to learn more. To give you a proper diagnosis and personalize a treatment plan, your doctor might want to check for nodules or cysts on your thyroid, get a better understanding of the size and shape of your thyroid gland, determine the severity of any thyroid condition you may have or continue monitoring your condition. Ask your doctor if you have any specific questions.
Treatment Options for Thyroid Disease
Medications, radioactive iodine or surgery to remove the gland are treatment options for hyperthyroidism. If left untreated, hyperthyroidism can cause bone loss or an irregular heartbeat.
For hypothyroidism, while there is currently no cure, there are medications that can treat the disease. The goal of the medication is to treat the symptoms, improve your body’s thyroid function, restore hormone levels and allow you to live a more fulfilling, normal life.
With You for the Whole Journey
If you find you’re experiencing unusual symptoms, reach out to your doctor today so they can order the right tests to check your thyroid and get you back on track with treatment as quickly as possible. If you should need further evaluation and treatment, you may be referred to an endocrinologist for specialized care. Learn more about our endocrinology program.