Thyroid Hormone: Understanding Hyperthyroidism, Graves' Disease & Cretinism

The hormone that causes Graves disease when levels are too high and Cretinism in children when levels are low is Thyroid hormone.

Graves disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes the thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormone. This can lead to a number of symptoms, including:

* Weight loss

* Increased appetite

* Nervousness

* Anxiety

* Diarrhea

* Difficulty sleeping

* Bulging eyes

* Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland)

Cretinism is a condition that occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone. This can happen in children who are born with thyroid problems or in children who develop thyroid problems later in life. Cretinism can cause a number of problems, including:

* Mental retardation

* Deafness

* Dwarfism

* Delayed puberty

* Dry skin

* Constipation

* Pale skin