Hypothyroid vs. Hyperthyroid
Main DifferenceThe main difference between Hypothyroid and Hyperthyroid is that Hypothyroid is the production of thyroid hormone less than normal, whereas Hyperthyroid is the production of thyroid hormones more than normal.

Difference Between Hypothyroid and Hyperthyroid
Hypothyroid vs. Hyperthyroid
The condition of low production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland is known as hypothyroid, whereas the condition of high production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland is known as hyperthyroid.
Hypothyroid vs. Hyperthyroid
Hypothyroid is also known as underactive thyroid; on the other hand; hyperthyroid is also known as an overactive thyroid.
Hypothyroid vs. Hyperthyroid
Hypothyroid causes cold intolerance conversely hyperthyroid causes heat Intolerance.
Hypothyroid vs. Hyperthyroid
Hypothyroid is caused by low iodine diet, genetics, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, due to the radiation used in cancer treatment and medication used in cancer, psychiatric conditions, and heart problems, etc. On the flip side, hyperthyroid is caused by swollen thyroid, thyroid nodules, graves disease, tumors of the ovaries or testes and due to Benign tumor of the thyroid gland, etc.
Hypothyroid vs. Hyperthyroid
The symptoms of the hypothyroid are Slowed metabolism, weight gain, tiredness, goiter (swelling of the thyroid gland), slow heart rate, sensitivity to cold, dry hair and hair loss, depression, muscle cramps, constipation, and carpal tunnel syndrome, etc. while the symptoms of hyperthyroid are shakiness, feeling hot, itchy red skin, hair loss, running heartbeat, weight loss, feeling worried or anxious, loss of consciousness, nausea and vomiting etc.
Hypothyroid vs. Hyperthyroid
Test of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) test, thyroid scan, and radioactive iodine uptake test, etc. can be used to diagnose hypothyroid condition whereas, hyperthyroid condition is diagnosed by test of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) test, radioactive iodine uptake test, along with that T3 and T4 test and thyroid scan, etc.
Hypothyroid vs. Hyperthyroid
Hypothyroid can be treated by using synthetic thyroid hormone (e.g., Levothyroxine) or by correcting observed iodine supplementation on the flip side, hyperthyroid can be treated by Beta-blockers (e.g., Propanolol) to alleviate symptoms or by anti-thyroid medications (e.g., Methimazole) to slow down an overactive thyroid.
Hypothyroidadjective
of or pertaining to hypothyroidism
Hyperthyroidadjective
of or pertaining to hyperthyroidism
Hypothyroidadjective
Having hypothyroidism
Carl Lewis is hypothyroid.Comparison Chart
Hypothyroid | Hyperthyroid |
The condition of low production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland is known as hypothyroid. | The condition of high production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland is known as hyperthyroid. |
Also Known As | |
Hypothyroid is also known as an underactive thyroid. | Hyperthyroid is also known as an overactive thyroid. |
Temperature Intolerance | |
Hypothyroid causes cold intolerance. | Hyperthyroid causes heat Intolerance. |
Causes | |
Hypothyroid is caused by low iodine diet, genetics, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, or chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, due to the radiation used in cancer treatment and medication used in cancer, psychiatric conditions, and heart problems, etc. | Hyperthyroid is caused by swollen thyroid, thyroid nodules, graves disease, tumors of the ovaries or testes and due to Benign tumor of the thyroid gland, etc. |
Symptoms | |
The symptoms of the hypothyroid are Slowed metabolism, weight gain, tiredness, goiter (swelling of the thyroid gland), slow heart rate, sensitivity to cold, dry hair and hair loss, depression, muscle cramps, constipation, and carpal tunnel syndrome, etc. | The symptoms of hyperthyroid are shakiness, feeling hot, itchy red skin, hair loss, running heartbeat, weight loss, feeling worried or anxious, loss of consciousness, nausea, and vomiting, etc. |
Diagnosis | |
Test of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) test, thyroid scan, and radioactive iodine uptake test, etc. can be used to diagnose the hypothyroid condition. | Hyperthyroid condition is diagnosed by the test of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI) test, radioactive iodine uptake test, along with that T3 and T4 test and thyroid scan, etc. |
Treatment | |
Hypothyroid can be treated by using synthetic thyroid hormone (e.g., Levothyroxine) or by correcting observed iodine supplementation. | Hyperthyroid can be treated by beta-blockers (e.g., Propanolol) to alleviate symptoms or by anti-thyroid medications (e.g., Methimazole) to slow down an overactive thyroid. |
Hypothyroid vs. Hyperthyroid
There are different types of endocrine and exocrine glands in organisms that produce a different type of secretions or hormones. These hormones play many important roles in the body of the organism. The thyroid gland is also an endocrine gland that is a tiny, butterfly-shaped gland present at the base of the front of the neck and produces hormones like triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) and calcitonin. These regulate different functions like metabolism, heart rate, and blood pressure, body temperature and growth and development of the brain and nervous system, etc. Any change in the production of these hormones creates many problems. If the production of thyroid hormones is less than normal than this condition is known as hypothyroid, whereas if their production exceeds, the normal value than condition is known as hyperthyroid. Hypothyroid may be caused by low iodine diet, genetics or due to radiation and medication used in cancer, etc. while hyperthyroid is caused by Swollen thyroid, thyroid nodules, graves disease and due to thyroid tumor, etc. Hypothyroid is also known as underactive thyroid, whereas hyperthyroid is also known as an overactive thyroid.
What is Hypothyroid?
The low production of thyroid hormone then the body’s requirement is known as hypothyroid. It is also termed as underproduction of thyroid hormone. Commonly it is known as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. The normal range of a thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is between .5 and 4.5 ml U/L. But if its level falls below this range, the patient is said to have hypothyroid. It may also be caused due to thyroidectomy (Removal of the thyroid gland) due to hyperthyroidism unless the patient is treated with thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Its symptoms are Slowed metabolism, weight gain, tiredness, goiter (swelling of the thyroid gland), slow heart rate, sensitivity to cold, dry hair and hair loss, depression, muscle cramps, constipation, and carpal tunnel syndrome, etc. Its treatment varies according to its causes. Mostly it is treated by giving proper iodine supplements and by a synthetic thyroid hormone. Sometimes it may also cause “myxedema coma.”
What is Hyperthyroid?
The overproduction of thyroid hormones than normal body requirement is called hyperthyroid and is also known as an overactive thyroid. It may be caused by swollen thyroid, thyroid nodules, graves disease (thyroid gets swollen and sometimes even eyes to), tumors of the ovaries or testes, and due to Benign tumor of the thyroid gland, etc. Its sign and symptoms are shakiness, feeling hot, itchy red skin, hair loss, running heartbeat, weight loss, infrequent periods, feeling worried or anxious, loss of consciousness, nausea, and vomiting, etc. It may also cause Thyrotoxicosis crisis (thyroid storm) in elderly patients. Sometimes it needs surgery to treat hyperthyroid.
ConclusionFrom the above discussion, it is summarized that hypothyroid and hyperthyroid are two conditions of abnormal hormonal production. If the thyroid gland produces low hormone than normal then this condition is known as hypothyroid which causes slow metabolism of the body whereas, the condition of high production of thyroid hormones is known as hyperthyroid which increases the metabolic rate.