THYROID DISORDERS

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease (a disease involving the immune system) in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the thyroid gland (a small butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck). When this happens, the thyroid gland cannot make thyroid hormone as well as it should. The body needs thyroid hormone for normal metabolism.

It can cause an underactive or overactive thyroid .

Congenital Hypothyroidism is a condition when a newborn is born with a condition in which her/his thyroid gland has a defect and it cannot produce thyroid hormone which is extremely important for brain growth. This condition is usually picked up by newborn screen. Early emergent treatment prevents complications such as developmental delay

Graves disease is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland and causes it to overproduce thyroid hormone causing  multiple symptoms and affects the whole body. it can cause eyes to become prominent, increased heart rates, diarrhea , large neck swelling ( enlarged thyroid called goiter) poor sleep, wt loss and poor attention in school. It can be promptly diagnosed and treated.