Is Thyroid Disease A Serious Illness?

Thyroid disease is an umbrella term for conditions that affect how your thyroid functions. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are the two main types of thyroid disease. But they each have multiple possible causes. Thyroid diseases are treatable — usually with medication.

Is thyroid disease a serious illness?

Thyroid diseases affect many parts of your body and health. If you consistently follow your treatment plan to manage the condition, it’s usually not serious.

But if thyroid disease is undiagnosed or not treated properly, it can cause complications.

Complications from untreated or undertreated hyperthyroidism include:

• Atrial fibrillation.
• Stroke.
• Congestive heart failure.
• Osteoporosis.

Complications from untreated or undertreated hypothyroidism include:

• Mood disorders, like depression.
• Peripheral neuropathy.
• Increased risk of heart disease and heart failure.
• Infertility.
• Myxedema coma, a sudden, life-threatening complication of severe hypothyroidism.