Glossary

Diabetes insipidus — marked by great thirst and the passage of large amounts of urine, along with loss of strength

Diabetes mellitus — the most common form of diabetes, caused by inadequate insulin secretion

Endocrinologist — a doctor who specializes in treating patients with endocrine or hormonal problems, including thyroid disease and diabetes

Hyperthyroidism — excess production of thyroid hormone due to abnormal thyroid gland function, most commonly due to stimulation by the immune system or due to a nodule

Hypothyroidism — deficiency of thyroid activity

Levothyroxine sodium (T₄) — a hormone medication taken by mouth for replacement therapy in patients with reduced or absent thyroid function

Liothyronine — the synthetic form of the thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T₃), which is more potent and has a more rapid action than thyroxine

L-triiodothyronine (T₃) — a key thyroid hormone that is made from T₄ and is the more biologically active hormone

Myxedema — a condition characterized by swelling of the skin and other tissues, particularly around the eyes and cheeks, caused by extreme deficiency of thyroid hormone

Thyrotoxicosis — a toxic condition resulting from excessive amounts of thyroid hormones in the body; what occurs in hyperthyroidism

Thyroxine (T₄) — an iodine-containing hormone produced by the thyroid gland to regulate metabolism; also made synthetically for treatment of thyroid disorders

TSH — also called thyroid-stimulating hormone. Normally TSH tells your thyroid gland to produce hormone. A TSH blood test is used to determine how the thyroid gland is working