The easiest way to remember the difference is to think of what the prefixes “hyper” and “hypo” mean. Hyper means over/in excess, whereas hypo means under/below. So if you have hyperthyroidism, your thyroid is making too much of the thyroid hormone and your metabolism is running like a cheetah.
What are the symptoms of hypo and hyperthyroidism?
- Unexplained weight gain or trouble losing weight.
- Fatigue.
- Depression.
- Hair loss and dry hair.
- Muscle cramps.
- Dry skin.
- Goiter (swelling of thyroid gland)
- Brittle nails.
Can you be both hyper and hypo?
Autoimmune alternating hypo- and hyper-thyroidism is a highly uncommon challenging condition, particularly in the pediatric age, and is due to the simultaneous presence of both TSAbs and TBAbs.
