What are thyroid disorders?

There are 2 types of thyroid disorders; HYPERthyroidism & HYPOthyroidism.

HYPERthyroidism is caused by having too much thyroid hormones wherelse HYPOthyroidism is caused by having too little thyroid hormones.

What causes these 2 types of thyroid disorders?

HYPERthyroidsim

Cause(s)	Explanation
Graves’ Disease	Thyroid is overstimulated*
Toxic Adenomas	Nodules** developing in the thyroid gland and then secreting thyroid hormones, upsetting the body's chemical balance; some goiters^ may contain several of these nodules.
Subacute thyroiditis	Inflammation of the thyroid, causing the gland to "leak" excess hormones, resulting in temporary hyperthyroidism (weeks to months).
Pituitary gland malfunctions or cancerous growths in the thyroid gland	Rare

*aggresive
**fluid-filled lumps formed within thyroid
^thyroid swelling

HYPOthyroidism

Cause(s)	Explanation
Hashimoto's thyroiditis	In this autoimmune* disorder, the body attacks thyroid tissue. The tissue eventually dies and stops producing hormones.
Removal of the thyroid gland (surgically or chemically destroyed)
Exposure to excessive amounts of iodide	Cold and sinus medicine(s), heart medicine ‘amiodarone’, or certain contrast dyes given before some X-rays expose too much iodine.
Lithium (drug)	Causes HYPOthyroidism as well.

*immune response against its own cells & tissues due to failure to recognise its own constituent parts