Facebook Pixel

Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism: What's the Difference?

By HERWriter
Rate This
Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism: How Are They Different? Lev Dolgachov/PhotoSpin

We all hear about the thyroid gland and that our metabolism takes a hit if it isn't functioning well. But do we really know what that means?

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland right below the Adam’s apple and just above the collarbone. It produces two very important hormones that affect almost every aspect of your metabolism, which is how your body operates or runs.

Thyroid hormones maintain how fast your body burns fats and carbohydrates, control your body temperature, influence your heart rate, and help regulate your body’s production of proteins.

So you heard it right! This crucial gland does have a huge impact on your metabolism and your health.

The thyroid can malfunction in various ways. The most common terms we hear when it comes to its diseases are “hyperthyroidism” and “hypothyroidism”. These two can easily get mixed up, however they are completely different conditions.

Let’s find out what these diseases really mean, how you can become aware of the symptoms, and the available treatment options out there that can make you feel better.


This condition occurs when your thyroid gland produces too much of its hormones, making you feel nervous, shaky, agitated and irritable. Hyperthyroidism can make you sweat more, cause your heart to beat faster, and make your hands and fingers tremble.

Additional symptoms include difficulty sleeping, fatigue, muscle weakness, lighter and less frequent menstrual cycles. You may also experience increased appetite, and unexplained and sudden weight loss.

The initial symptoms of hyperthyroidism can be mistaken for other things, such as too much stress or too little sleep. However, if you can’t seem to shake off these symptoms, you should consult your doctor and ask if you might be suffering from a thyroid condition.

Paying attention to these symptoms and taking initiative is important, because if left untreated, hyperthyroidism can lead to some severe health conditions.

Hyperthyroidism can interrupt your bones' uptake of calcium and cause brittle bones (osteoporosis).

Add a Comment2 Comments

EmpowHER Guest

Hope it helps anyone reading this!

July 8, 2016 - 3:10pm
EmpowHER Guest


Read here...


July 18, 2015 - 10:09pm
Enter the characters shown in the image.
Add a Comment


Thyroid Conditions

Get Email Updates

Health Newsletter
