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Understanding Thyroid
A small organ present in the front of the neck, wrapped around the windpipe (trachea) is called the thyroid gland. The shape of the thyroid gland is like a butterfly. It is smaller in the middle two wide wings that wrap it around the windpipe. A human body consists of glands that spread throughout the body and the thyroid is one of them. The main function of these glands is to create and release substances that regulate the functioning of the body. The thyroid gland makes hormones that are responsible for controlling many vital functions of your body. It is very important to check for thyroid symptoms. so that we can avail of medical help at the right time.
What is Thyroid Disease?
When there is a malfunctioning in the working of the thyroid gland, it can put an adverse impact on your entire body. If there is an excessive amount of thyroid hormone in the body, you can develop a condition called hyperthyroidism. When there is a lack of thyroid hormones in the body, the condition that develops is called hypothyroidism. Both of these conditions are serious and need proper attention from a health care provider. These disorders can be a result of varied conditions or can be passed down or inherited through families.
16 Thyroid Symptoms
One must keep a close eye on the onset of the symptoms of the thyroid so that he can monitor them to take control over. Now, when it comes to the most prevalent and evident symptoms of the disease, there are 16 symptoms that can be worrisome. You need to seek medical help when you find any of the following symptoms in your body:
Tiredness
Whenever you are diagnosed with thyroid disease, it implies that whether your body is producing an excessive amount of thyroid hormones or there is a lack of the same. In both situations, the body utilizes more energy to function properly. The person who undergoes this has a greater chance of getting tired in short durations of time. People who get tired easily should get their diagnostic tests done. Also, they must take a healthy diet so as to produce more energy in the body.
Excessive Weight Gain/Loss
There are two types of diseases that are caused by an inappropriate amount of thyroid glands in the body: Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism. If there is an excessive amount of thyroid hormone in the body, you can develop a condition called hyperthyroidism. When there is a lack of thyroid hormones in the body, the condition that develops is called hypothyroidism. A person tends to gain weight in case of hypothyroidism and lose weight in case of hyperthyroidism.
Feeling Cold
Thyroid hormones help with how fast your body works. They can affect everything from how cold you feel to how quickly you burn up energy. Thyroid problems can cause weight gain and feeling cold all the time. If something feels wrong with your thyroid gland, then go see a doctor right away.
Muscle Weakness and Joint Aches
Inability to lose weight or difficulty with thyroid symptoms can be frustrating. It probably means that a thyroid issue is causing thyroid hormones TSH, T-three & T-four not to work properly. If you have any of these other thyroid symptoms seek medical advice but if it seems thyroid-related it is worth checking thyroid hormone levels. The thyroid gland in the body produces thyroid hormones, which are chemicals that control your body’s metabolism.
Hair Loss
Hair loss is the most common thyroid symptom. It can occur even if you have normal or low thyroid levels, but it occurs more often in people with thyroid hormone problems such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Fluctuations In The Heart Rate
Thyroid hormones have an impact on practically every organ in the body, including the rate at which the heart pumps. Hypothyroid patients may discover that their heart rate is slower than usual. The heart may race as a result of hyperthyroidism. It can also cause high blood pressure and a hammering heart, as well as various types of heart palpitations.
Dry and Itchy Skin
Skin cells, like hair follicles, have a high rate of turnover. As a result, they are vulnerable to the thyroid hormone’s loss of growth signals. The skin may take longer to regenerate if the regular cycle of skin regeneration is disrupted. This indicates that the outer layer of skin has been around for a longer time and has accumulated damage. As a result, dead skin may take longer to remove, resulting in flaky, dry skin. According to one research, 74% of low-thyroid people have dry skin.
However, 50% of individuals with normal thyroid levels also had dry skin for other reasons, making it difficult to determine if thyroid issues were to blame. In addition, 50 percent of hypothyroidism patients said their skin had become worse in the previous year, according to the study. Changes in the skin that aren’t due to allergies like hay fever or new goods might be an indication of thyroid issues. Finally, autoimmune disorders can result in hypothyroidism. This can damage the skin, causing myxedema (swelling and redness). Thyroid issues are more likely to induce myxedema than other reasons for dry skin.
Depression
Hypothyroidism has a connection with depression. The reasons for this are unclear, but it might be a mental symptom of an overall decrease in energy and health. 64% of women and 57% of men with hypothyroidism report feelings of depression. About the same percentage of men and women also experience anxiety. In one study, thyroid hormone replacement improved depression in patients with mild hypothyroidism, compared to a placebo. Another study of young women with mild hypothyroidism showed increased feelings of depression, which keep a connection with decreased satisfaction with their sex lives. Furthermore, postpartum hormone fluctuations are a common cause of hypothyroidism, potentially contributing to postpartum depression. Feeling depressed is a good reason to talk to a physician or therapist. They may be able to help you cope, regardless of whether the depression is caused by thyroid problems or something else.
Problems in Concentrating and Remembering
It is very common for thyroid patients to experience concentration problems. This means that they will have a difficult time staying focused when reading or doing other daily tasks such as writing reports at work, listening during meetings, etc. They may also find it harder than usual to measure their words before speaking and to keep in mind what they need to do next.
Constipation
Bowel movements are not regular or you have pain when passing stool, this might be a sign of thyroid disease. If bowel movements become painful and lose their healthy color they may signal thyroid disease as well. If your thyroid gland is underactive it does not produce enough hormones to facilitate movement through the digestive system.
Heavy/Irregular Periods
The thyroid gland produces the hormones that are responsible for regulating your menstrual cycle, so thyroid problems can cause you to miss periods or have heavy ones. You must keep a track record of what happens to your menstrual cycle in case your doctor has diagnosed you with thyroid.
Lack of Focus
thyroid hormone is necessary for brain function, including memory and concentration – so thyroid imbalances may lead to difficulties with focus or memory. Headaches: thyroid hormones help regulate serotonin levels which play a role in how we feel pain, making them important when it comes to headache pain.
Increase In Blood Cholesterol Levels
Thyroid disease could contribute to high cholesterol levels, which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
Impaired Memory
Thyroid hormone is responsible for brain function including memory and concentration, so thyroid imbalances can cause difficulty with focus or memory.
Anxiety
Thyroid problems can have a significant impact on your energy and mood. People with hypothyroidism often feel fatigued, sluggish, and unhappy. Anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, and irritability are all symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
Swelling In The Neck
A noticeable sign that something is wrong with the thyroid is a swelling or enlargement in the neck. Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can both cause a goiter. Thyroid cancer or nodules, which are tumors that form inside the thyroid, can cause swelling in the neck. It could also be a result of something unrelated to the thyroid.
How To Manage Thyroid Symptoms?
Thyroid problems can be common and they’re not always easy to manage. However, thyroid symptoms can vary from person to person and it’s important that you know the best way to treat them.
Combat Fatigue: Thyroid symptoms can include fatigue, muscle weakness, weight gain, or loss. You can combat these by getting regular checkups with your healthcare provider.
Take Medication Properly: It’s important that you take thyroid medication as advised and at the right time of day. Taking it too late in the evening might cause insomnia while taking it too early might cause your thyroid medication to interfere with the absorption of other medications.
Eat a Healthy Diet: Your thyroid needs certain nutrients in order for you to feel good and stay healthy. It’s important that you eat a balanced diet that includes plenty of leafy greens, proteins, whole grains, and dairy products among others. If you’re not eating healthy, thyroid symptoms might worsen.
Get Plenty of Sleep: Your thyroid gland needs plenty of rest to function properly so it’s important that you get enough sleep at night. If you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night or having trouble falling asleep, try taking a warm bath before bedtime and avoid drinking coffee after noon.
Manage Stress: Stress is one thyroid symptom that can be very hard to manage but it’s important that you try your best in order to avoid thyroid problems from getting worse. If stress is making you feel anxious or nervous, make sure to take a break and do something relaxing like taking a walk outside or reading a book.
Drink Plenty of Water: Water helps you feel refreshed and keeps thyroid problems at bay. Make sure that you drink plenty of water every day to stay hydrated and healthy.
A word From Mantra Care
So, if you’ve been experiencing any of these symptoms or think that your thyroid may not be functioning optimally, it might be time to talk with a doctor. Your physician will confirm the diagnosis and recommend treatment options for managing this condition. There are many ways to manage hypothyroidism through medication, diet changes, lifestyle modifications, and more. If you have questions about how to take care of your health in general or just want some guidance on what could help relieve your symptoms so they don’t get worse over time, we’d love to hear from you! We can provide information tailored specifically for people like yourself who suffer from this condition.
