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Tina Marcantel
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Hypothyroidism

I should point out that although Graves' disease starts out with the thyroid gland overproducing hormones (hyperthyroidism), the subsequent damage to the gland can lead to underactivity and the patient will need thyroid hormone replacement therapy, which is a typical treatment for hypothyroidism.

Some signs and symptoms of low thyroid production (hypothyroidism) are dry skin and hair, hair loss, fatigue, depression, weight gain, constipation, and hypersensitivity to cold.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis

This is the most common type of thyroiditis covering approximately 80% of patients. It is an autoimmune thyroiditis in which the body turns against itself, creating antibodies that attack the thyroid gland. Most people with Hashimoto's develop hypothyroidism and must take thyroid hormone replacement therapy. Inflammation of the gland will initially cause the gland to go through a phase of hyperthyroidism that will eventually damage the gland and lead to a state of low hormone production. In a patient with Hashimoto's, the doctor will feel a painless enlargement of the thyroid gland.

Subacute granulomatous thyroiditis

This disease often follows a virus or sore throat and low grade fever.

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