When your thyroid gland is healthy, it produces the correct hormones in the correct quantities, at the correct times, to regulate your metabolism.
By Vanessa Papas
The thyroid, located at the front of the neck, right above the collarbone, is a small endocrine gland tasked with a big job. Although modern scientists are credited with discovering its shape and function, the power of the thyroid has been documented in literature since the sixth century.
The gland was named thyroid, meaning shield, as its shape resembled the shields commonly used in Ancient Greece. Today, most people liken this organ to a butterfly shape rather than a weapon of destruction.
At first, many believed the thyroid was only responsible for triggering wild hunger cravings, and anyone attempting thyroid surgery was destined for failure and even death. It was later discovered that the thyroid had a much more CEO position within the body and that safer techniques could result in safer thyroid surgeries with minimal complications.
WHAT DOES MY THYROID GLAND DO?
A healthy thyroid gland produces the exact amount of hormones to keep your body’s metabolism, hunger, and body temperature in check. One hormone is thyroxine (T4); the other is triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones work in tandem to influence the activity of your body’s cells and tissues.
In some cases, the thyroid is thrown out of balance, secreting too much, or too little, of these hormones. Tens of millions worldwide have thyroid problems – anywhere from 5-25% of the world’s population, and as many as 50% of those affected are undiagnosed.
IS MY THYROID CAUSING THE KILOS TO PILE ON THE SCALE?
Maybe, maybe not. While most individuals with thyroid disease have an underactive thyroid, leading to weight gain, the thyroid is not the only organ responsible for regulating the amount of energy your body requires.
Thyroid hormones interact with several other hormones, proteins, and chemicals that are important in controlling energy expenditure, food intake, and body weight. If these hormones, proteins, and chemicals go haywire, it can also lead to unexplainable weight gain.
The first and most important step is to speak to your healthcare provider if you are concerned about your weight.
DIAGNOSING AND TREATING THYROID DISORDERS?
A simple blood test is one of the most reliable procedures to diagnose a thyroid issue accurately. Thyroid blood tests assess if the thyroid gland is functioning normally by measuring the level of thyroid hormones in the blood.
Once a diagnosis is made, your doctor will discuss treatment options to restore your thyroid hormone levels back to normal. These options may include anti-thyroid drugs, beta-blockers, radioactive iodine, or surgery.
In addition to the medicines indicated above, diet, supplementation, and lifestyle modifications can enhance thyroid health. However, if thyroid issues are left untreated, significant complications might arise. Heart disease, osteoporosis, and stroke are more prevalent in individuals with untreated thyroid disorders.
Visit your healthcare practitioner for a thyroid panel test if you have a family history of thyroid disease or if you’re experiencing symptoms.
10 FACTS ON THYROID DISEASE
- Just because you’re not showing any signs or symptoms of a thyroid disorder doesn’t mean it’s not there. Thyroid disease can sometimes be challenging to identify because its symptoms are often mistaken for other conditions.
- Thyroid illness affects more women than males. One in eight women will have thyroid issues in their lifetime.
- 10% to 60% of obese people also suffer from hypothyroidism.
- A symptom of thyroid disorders, specifically hypothyroidism, is hair loss. If you notice hair loss and are concerned, consult a healthcare professional.
- Certain medical conditions, such as thyroid cancer, may require the thyroid to be removed. If this is the case, doctors can prescribe a thyroid hormone pill that replicates the thyroid’s functions.
- Thyroid diseases can affect a woman’s menstrual cycle, which can make it more difficult to get pregnant.
- Race and ethnicity can play a role in the development of thyroid diseases. Women of Jewish origin, for instance, are nearly twice as likely as other women to develop thyroid issues due to an overactive immune system.
- Certain diseases, such as pernicious anaemia and Type 1 diabetes, increase the likelihood of having thyroid disease.
- Most thyroid nodules are benign and, on average, only 5% of nodules turned out to be malignant.
- To effectively treat any thyroid problem, receiving an accurate diagnosis is essential. No matter the cause, many effective treatment options exist for different thyroid issues.
HYPERTHYROIDISM AND HYPOTHYROIDISM
Suppose excessive amounts of thyroid hormones are secreted. In that case, the body’s cells perform faster than normal (hyperthyroidism). On the other hand, if too little thyroid hormones are generated the cells and organs of your body slow down (hypothyroidism).
HYPERthyroidism can cause:
- Heightened heart rate
- Anxiousness, irritation, and nervousness
- Difficulties sleeping
- Weight loss
- An enlarged thyroid gland or a goitre
- Muscular weakness and tremors
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Sensitivity to heat
- Visual issues or eye inflammation
- Frequent bowel movements or diarrhoea
HYPOthyroidism can cause:
- Decreased heart rate
- Fatigue
- Weight gain
- Memory loss or forgetfulness
- Frequent and heavy menstrual cycles
- Dry and coarse hair
- A raspy voice
- An aversion to chilly temperatures
- Constipation
Other Thyroid Disorders
In addition to hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, thyroid imbalances can cause a myriad of other health complications, including:
- Graves’ Disease
- Goiter (non-cancerous enlargement of your thyroid gland)
- Thyroid nodules
- Thyroid eye disease
- Thyroid cancer
- Postpartum thyroiditis
The good news is that most thyroid problems are curable, especially if diagnosed early.
