Call
+918447748545

Published on: May 26, 2022
3 minute read
By: Second Medic Expert

Thyroid Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Testing

There are a number of causes for thyroid disease, including autoimmune diseases, radiation exposure, and iodine deficiency. Some risk factors include having a family history of thyroid disease, being female (thyroid disease is more common in women), and being over the age of 60. Symptoms can vary depending on the type of thyroid disease but may include weight gain or loss, fatigue, hair loss, constipation, and muscle weakness.

Thyroid function can be tested through a blood test that measures levels of TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone). If TSH levels are high it suggests that the thyroid is not working properly and further testing may be necessary to diagnose the specific type of thyroid disease.

Thyroid disease is a condition that affects the thyroid gland, which is located in the front of your neck. The thyroid gland produces hormones that help control your body's metabolism. There are several different types of thyroid diseases, including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, goiter, and thyroid cancer.

Some common causes of thyroid disease include autoimmune diseases (such as Hashimoto's disease), radiation therapy to the head or neck, medications that contain iodine (such as amiodarone and lithium), and surgery to remove the thyroid gland.

There are many causes of thyroid disease, including autoimmune diseases, infection, radiation therapy, and thyroid nodules. The most common cause is autoimmune disease, which occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland. Symptoms of thyroid disease vary depending on the type and severity of the condition. Some common symptoms include fatigue, weight gain or loss, hair loss, constipation, and difficulty swallowing.

Risk factors for thyroid disease include family history of thyroid disease, previous neck surgery or radiation therapy to the head or neck area, and diabetes. Thyroid function can be tested with a blood test called a TSH level. This test measures the level of TSH in your bloodstream. There are a few different things that can cause thyroid disease, including autoimmune diseases, radiation exposure, and iodine deficiency. Some of the symptoms of thyroid disease include weight gain or loss, fatigue, hair loss, and changes in mood.

Some of the risk factors for thyroid disease include being female, being overweight or obese, having a family history of thyroid disease, and being over the age of 60. Thyroid disease is often diagnosed with a blood test that measures levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the blood.

There are a number of different things that can cause thyroid problems. Here are some of the most common ones:

Autoimmune diseases (Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common type)

Radiation therapy to the head or neck

Iodine deficiency

Graves' disease (an autoimmune disease that causes an overactive thyroid)

Thyroid nodules or lumps (these can be caused by a number of different things, including iodine deficiency, radiation therapy, and autoimmune diseases)

goiter (an enlarged thyroid gland)

The most common symptoms of thyroid problems are changes in weight, changes in appetite, fatigue, mood changes, muscle weakness, and hair loss. Thyroid disease is a disorder that affects the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located in the front of your neck. It produces hormones that help regulate your body's metabolism.

There are several causes of thyroid disease, including autoimmune diseases, radiation therapy, and surgery. Symptoms include weight gain or loss, fatigue, hair loss, and changes in mood. Risk factors for thyroid disease include a family history of the disorder and having other autoimmune diseases. Testing for thyroid disease includes a blood test to measure levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (T4).

The most common cause is an autoimmune disorder called Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Other causes of thyroid disease include: radiation therapy to the head or neck, iodine deficiency, pregnancy, and surgery to remove part or all of the thyroid gland. Some other common symptoms of thyroid disease include fatigue, weight gain or loss, hair loss, mood swings, and constipation.

There are several risk factors for thyroid disease, including age (it's more common in women than men), family history, BMI (body mass index), and smoking. Thyroid function can be assessed with a blood test that measures levels of TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone).

Thyroid disease is a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone. This can lead to a wide range of symptoms, including weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, and changes in heart rate.

There are several different things that can cause thyroid disease, including autoimmune diseases, radiation therapy, and iodine deficiency. And some risk factors for thyroid disease include being female and being over the age of 60. Thyroid disease is usually diagnosed with a blood test that measures the amount of thyroid hormone in your blood. Treatment for thyroid disease usually involves taking medication to replace the missing thyroid hormone.

Thyroid disease is a condition that affects the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located in the front of your neck and produces hormones that help control your body's metabolism. There are several different types of thyroid disease, including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, goiter, and thyroid cancer. Each type of thyroid disease has its own unique set of symptoms and causes.

Some common risk factors for thyroid disease include being female, being over 60 years old, having a family history of thyroid disease, and being exposed to radiation. There are a few different things that can cause thyroid problems, including autoimmune diseases, radiation therapy, and certain medications. Some of the symptoms of thyroid disease include weight gain or loss, fatigue, hair loss, and changes in mood.

The main risk factors for thyroid disease are a family history of the condition and autoimmune diseases. Anyone who experiences any of the symptoms listed above should visit their doctor for testing.

The most common symptom of a thyroid problem is an abnormal change in body weight. This can manifest as either a sudden weight gain or a sudden weight loss, and is often accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms: fatigue, anxiety, irritability, depressed mood, menstrual irregularities, dry skin and hair, thinning hair, constipation Moreover, many people with thyroid problems also report feeling cold all the time, even when others around them are not. Joint and muscle pain is also common in those with thyroid problems. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to consult with your doctor to determine if you may have a thyroid problem.

Read Blog

Fever for 3 Days ? Should You Visit a Doctor or Wait

A fever lasting three days raises valid concern for patients and caregivers alike. While many febrile episodes resolve independently, a persistent fever lasting 72 hours warrants careful evaluation. Understanding when to seek medical attention and when watchful waiting is appropriate can prevent unnecessary complications and guide timely clinical intervention.

Should You Visit a Doctor If Fever Lasts for 3 Days?

A fever persisting for three consecutive days in adults generally requires medical evaluation, particularly when body temperature exceeds 103°F (39.4°C) or when additional symptoms such as breathlessness, severe headache, or rash are present. In children under five years, medical consultation is recommended after 48 to 72 hours of unresolved fever regardless of severity. Physicians advise against self-managing a three-day fever without professional assessment in high-risk populations.

Clinically, a three-day fever threshold is significant because most viral infections producing fever resolve within 48 to 72 hours. Fever persisting beyond this window may indicate a bacterial infection, an underlying inflammatory condition, or a secondary complication requiring targeted diagnostic workup. In the Indian clinical context, endemic infections such as dengue, typhoid, and malaria must be considered as potential etiologies when fever extends beyond 72 hours.

Common Causes of Persistent Fever in Adults and Children

Persistent fever lasting three or more days may originate from a range of infectious and non-infectious etiologies. Identifying the underlying cause is essential for selecting appropriate treatment.

Infectious Causes:

Viral infections: Influenza, dengue fever, chikungunya, COVID-19
Bacterial infections: Typhoid fever (enteric fever), urinary tract infections, pneumonia, tuberculosis
Parasitic infections: Malaria (particularly relevant in tropical regions of India)

Non-Infectious Causes:

Autoimmune or inflammatory conditions
Drug-induced fever (fever as an adverse drug reaction)
Post-vaccination fever (typically resolves within 48 hours)

Condition	Typical Fever Duration	Key Associated Symptoms
Viral fever	3 to 5 days	Body ache, fatigue, runny nose
Dengue fever	5 to 7 days	Severe joint pain, rash, low platelet count
Typhoid fever	7 to 14 days	Abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation, rose spots
Malaria	Cyclical pattern	Chills, sweating, rigors
Urinary tract infection	Variable	Burning urination, flank pain

What to Do When Fever Does Not Go Down After 3 Days

When fever does not subside after 72 hours, the immediate recommended course of action is to consult a general physician or internist for clinical assessment. Antipyretic medications such as paracetamol (acetaminophen) can manage symptom discomfort but do not treat the underlying cause. Blood investigations including a complete blood count (CBC), malarial antigen test, and dengue NS1 antigen test are standard first-line diagnostics in India.

Beyond seeking medical consultation, patients should maintain adequate hydration, rest, and nutritional intake. Oral rehydration is particularly important in a tropical climate where fever accelerates fluid loss. Specialists caution against self-prescribing antibiotics without laboratory confirmation, as indiscriminate antibiotic use contributes to antimicrobial resistance, a significant public health concern in India. Clinical data supports early laboratory testing as the most effective step when fever persists beyond three days.

Warning Signs That Require Immediate Medical Attention

Certain symptoms accompanying a three-day fever indicate medical emergencies requiring immediate hospital evaluation rather than home management.

Patients or caregivers should seek emergency care if any of the following are present:

Fever above 104°F (40°C) that does not respond to antipyretics
Severe headache with neck stiffness (possible meningitis)
Difficulty breathing or chest pain
Skin rash appearing alongside fever (possible dengue or viral exanthem)
Altered consciousness, confusion, or seizures
Persistent vomiting preventing oral hydration
Fever in infants below three months of age
Fever in immunocompromised patients (those on chemotherapy, steroids, or with HIV)
Signs of dehydration: sunken eyes, dry mouth, reduced urine output

In children, febrile seizures can occur at temperatures above 102°F (38.9°C). While often self-limiting, any seizure associated with fever requires urgent pediatric evaluation.

Can a 3-Day Fever Resolve Without Medical Treatment?

In otherwise healthy adults, a mild to moderate fever (below 102°F) lasting three days caused by a self-limiting viral infection can resolve without specific medical treatment. The immune system typically clears common viral pathogens within three to five days. Supportive care including rest, hydration, and antipyretics is sufficient in low-risk cases.

However, resolution without medical treatment is not advisable for children under five, adults above 65, pregnant women, or individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. Clinical evidence consistently indicates that delayed diagnosis in these populations increases the risk of serious complications. In regions with high prevalence of vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria, assuming a self-limiting viral cause without testing carries significant risk. Medical consultation remains the safest and most clinically sound approach when fever persists beyond three days.

Medical Disclaimer

This content is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Readers experiencing persistent fever or related symptoms should consult a qualified healthcare professional for evaluation and management.

If you are facing similar health concerns, consult expert doctors online through the SecondMedic app or visit your nearest SecondMedic Health Hub for in-person care

Request A Callback

+91

By using this website/app, I confirm that I am at least 18 years old and consent to the processing of my personal data in accordance with the Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Declaration.