Thyrotoxicosis vs Hyperthyroidism
In life, we’ll never know what diseases are already running in our blood. This is due to the fact that we also have greater chances of inheriting a particular disease from our fathers and mothers as well as from our grandmothers, grandfathers, and our great, great ancestors. This is a reality each human should be aware of. There is no perfect life. Everyone will and shall inherit a particular disease such as heart problems like hypertension, metabolic problems such as diabetic mellitus, and endocrine problems such as hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis.
Hyperthyroidism and thyrotoxicosis are two endocrine related problems in our body. The endocrine system, as we all know, is responsible for the proper metabolism of chemicals in our body which have an effect on our overall well-being. Both of the said endocrine problems are different.
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which there is a hypersecretion of the thyroid hormones. Our thyroid gland is responsible for producing these thyroid hormones. Our thyroid hormones are responsible for certain metabolic processes, such as hunger, temperature, and a lot more. Thyrotoxicosis, on the other hand, is a cause of hyperthyroidism. It is defined as too much thyroid hormones circulating in the blood which is more than those of hyperthyroidism. It is also called a thyroid storm, an emergency situation which may cause immediate death in the person having it.
Hyperthyroidism manifests hypermetabolic problems, such as always hungry, not gaining weight, having bulging and big eyes, tremors, diarrhea, fatigue, and muscle weakness. It is diagnosed with a blood test via T3 and T4. If these serum blood values are elevated, then the doctor confirms hyperthyroidism. Thyrotoxicosis, on the other hand, manifests an exaggerated manifestation of hyperthyroidism plus life-threatening conditions, such as tachycardia, increased bowel sounds, crackles, and dysrhythmias.
Lifetime medications are needed to maintain the normality of the thyroid glands. In cases that this is not applicable, surgery may be the best option. One of the causes of thyrotoxicosis or a thyroid storm is in the irregularity of taking meds or, at worst, is the total cessation of taking medications for your thyroid glands. In cases of a thyroid storm, the patient must be brought to the hospital immediately.
Summary:
1.Hyperthyroidism is a thyroid disorder while thyrotoxicosis is a cause of hyperthyroidism.
2.Hyperthyroidism is not an emergency situation and is not life-threatening, but it can become a thyroid storm or thyrotoxicosis which is life-threatening if not treated with the right medications.
3.Both of the said conditions are treated with medications, but a thyroid storm requires a more critical intervention in the hospital for close monitoring.