Final answer:
Thyroid diseases, including Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, are associated with a variety of symptoms and may necessitate screening with TSH. They can affect both genders and manifest at any age, but are more common in women. Due to common nonspecific symptoms, proactive screening for those at risk is recommended.
Step-by-step explanation:
Several risk factors have been identified for thyroid diseases, such as Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, that necessitate screening with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Graves' disease is a form of hyperthyroidism, where the body produces an excess of thyroid hormones due to the production of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin (TSI). This can cause symptoms like heat intolerance and irregular heartbeat. Conversely, hypothyroidism includes conditions where there is a deficiency of thyroid hormone production, commonly due to Hashimoto's thyroiditis. It is often associated with symptoms such as cold intolerance and fatigue.
A common outcome for both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism is the development of a goiter, particularly due to iodine deficiency, which can result in the gland's inability to synthesize T3 and T4 hormones, prompting the body to produce more TSH.
While both men and women can develop thyroid disorders, they are more prevalent in women and can develop at any age. Common thyroid disorder symptoms are nonspecific, which means many people with a thyroid condition might not be aware they have it. Because of this, proactive screening is key, especially for those with risk factors like autoimmune disease history, older age, or a family history of thyroid disease.