Can anyone explain what over active and under active thyroid means please?

I have CFS and FYBROMYALGIA but now my consultant seems to think I also have a problem with my thyroid. I have not seem him as yet to ask him he has just contacted my gp to put me on some tablets for 2months and have another blood test to see if any change.

User Comments

  1. means under active
  2. Then the thyroid is under active.

    You can read more about hypothyroidism if you follow the link or search for it in a search engine.
  3. Thank you x
  4. I think its called hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Hypo is not active enough and hyper is too active. The pills the doctor has you on are meant to bring it to the correct level. I came home one day and found my cat Geezer laying down in the litter box. I thought this isn't good so I took her to the vet and she said she might have a bad thyroid. She ran some blood tests to confirm it and then said I would probably have to give her thyroid tablets for the rest of her life. They have made a huge difference and now she is very healthy. I think if the thyroid is too far out of balance and you dont get it treated it turns you into a hideous gargoyle.
  5. I don't know what you are taking - synthroid is the most common prescription for an under-active thyroid, called hyPOtyroidism. There are a couple different treatments for over active thyroid, called hyPERthyroidism. In hypothyroidism, your body does not produce enough of the necessary hormone to keep your thyroid functioning where it should. Medication brings the thyroid operation back into the optimal ranges. Hyperthyroidism means that your body produces too much of the thyroid hormone. The treatments for this problem vary, by doctor. Your best doctor for thyroid problems is the endocrinologist.

    Symptoms of Hypothyroidism (An underactive thyroid)
    fatigue, exhaustion
    feeling run down and sluggish
    depression
    difficulty concentrating, brain fog
    unexplained or excessive weight gain
    dry, coarse and/or itchy skin
    dry, coarse and/or thinning hair
    feeling cold, especially in the extremities
    constipation
    muscle cramps
    increased menstrual flow
    more frequent periods
    infertility/miscarriage

    Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism (An overactive thyroid)
    nervousness
    irritability
    increased perspiration
    thinning of your skin
    fine brittle hair
    muscular weakness especially involving the upper arms and thighs
    shaky hands
    panic disorder
    insomnia
    racing heart
    more frequent bowel movements
    weight loss despite a good appetite
    lighter flow, less frequent menstrual periods
  6. low metabolism = under-active thyroid.
  7. the tablets im now on say its for when you`ve got a low metabolisum (sorry about the spelling). Does anybody no if that means my thyroid is over or under active.
  8. http://www.endocrineweb.com/hypo1.html...
  9. Practical Information On Thyroid Health
    The thyroid gland is found in the neck just below the "Adam's apple." This gland is responsible for producing thyroid hormone, which is an important hormone that stimulates the metabolism of the body. Like many things, the thyroid gland gets "lumpier" as we get older and the frequency of these nodules increases with age. Thyroid nodules are also more common in women than in men For more, go to Thyroid Index.