Hypothyroid vs. Hyperthyroid

Main Difference

The 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

Comparison Chart

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.

Conclusion

From 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.