The different types of thyroid disorders include:
• Hyperthyroidism due to high thyroid hormone levels or hypothyroidism due to low levels of thyroid hormones
• Thyroiditis characterised by thyroid gland inflammation
• Goitre characterised by an abnormal increase in the size of the thyroid gland (a gland located below Adam’s apple and is butterfly-shaped)
• Cancer of the thyroid gland

The symptoms most commonly seen in females with thyroid disorders include:
• Characteristically puffy face
• Weight gain with unknown cause
• Constipation
• Fatigue or weakness
• Muscle or joint weakness and pain
• Dry thinning hair
• Reduced heart rate
• Hoarseness in voice
• Excessive bleeding during menses
• Dry and pale skin
• A cold feeling at normal temperature

Tests, such as T3, T4, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid antibody tests along with a thyroid scan or ultrasound or a radioactive iodine uptake test can be advised to detect thyroid disorders.

A thyroid disorder, which is chronic and left untreated, can lead to myxoedema coma, which requires immediate testing of hormones and is potentially fatal.

Yes. Lumps formed in the thyroid gland referred to as thyroid nodules can result in the formation of malignant tumours, i.e. the development of cancer.