Thyroid disorders are mainly related to abnormal secretion of thyroxine (i.e. too much or too little thyroxine is produced) and enlargement of gland (e.g. goitres, nodules and lumps). Hyperthyroidism occurs when your thyroid gland produces too much thyroxine, it can accelerate your body’s metabolism, causing unintentional weight loss, hypertension, excitement, overeating and a rapid heartbeat. On the contrary, hypothyroidism occurs where the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroxine, it can cause symptoms like fatigue, physical inactivity, oedema and weight gain.
Thyroid tumor is also a common thyroid gland disease, it can be broadly divided into diffuse goitre and nodular goitre. Most diffuse goitres are hyperthyroid or hypothyroid; while nodular goitres are cystic, benign or malignant. Many people think that a normal thyroid test means no thyroid disease. This is a misconception as thyroid function can be normal even with a malignant tumour.