The thyroid gland orchestrates the metabolic processes of the body. This butterfly-shaped gland is responsible for how much we weigh to how the body regulates the temperature. When this gland doesn’t work efficiently, it may produce low or high quantities of the thyroid hormones leading to a lot of problems. This could be due to genetics, stress, pregnancy, nutritional deficiencies or a poor lifestyle. Here is how to figure out if you are heading towards a thyroid disorder or your thyroid is not working right:
Fatigue is considered the number one symptom of faulty thyroid functioning. If adequate rest or a full night’s sleep does not reduce the feeling of exhaustion, you could be suffering from hypothyroidism.
When the thyroid gland is overactive, you could end up feeling constantly jittery or anxious. This is because high amounts of these hormones put the body in an alert and overdriven state. The thyroid hormones control the brain’s activities and any imbalance can cause serious changes to the person’s mental makeup.
Read More: Relation Between Stress and Thyroid
Having a slow functioning thyroid gland could lead to a decreased sex drive or even a complete loss of interest in sex.
Hypothyroidism can lead to dry and itchy skin. This is especially apparent on the feet which become flaky and dry. Even the nails become brittle.
If you have lost or gained weight without any cause, your thyroid may be not working optimally. The thyroid hormones control the appetite and thereby, affect weight.
Also Read: 11 Ways To Treat Thyroid At Home
Those who suffer from thyroid problems, face altered bowel movements. Someone with hypothyroidism may become constipated while someone with hyperthyroidism may suffer from diarrhoea.
Thermoregulation is an important effect of thyroid hormones. When there are thyroid issues, the body cannot regulate the body temperature well and this could lead to someone feeling too hot or too cold compared to other people around.
The women who suffer from thyroid problems experience menstrual irregularities. With hypothyroidism, the periods become longer and with more blood flow and with hyperthyroidism they become shorter with very light blood flow.
Also Read: 8 Most Effective Foods To Fight Thyroid!
The thyroid hormones are connected to fertility. If the body does not produce the optimal quantity of thyroid hormones, it could lead to infertility and in more severe cases, even miscarriages.
High blood pressure is another sign of thyroid issues. Both conditions of the thyroid problem- hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are responsible for this.
A lump, below Adam’s apple, is a sign that you suffer from thyroid disorder or problems, contributing to altered voice patterns making your voice hoarse.
If you suffer from two or three of these signs, consult your doctor thyroid levels checked through a simple blood test. Many people don’t even know they are suffering from thyroid disorder problems until it is too late.
Read More: The Difference Between Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism
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Have you recently been diagnosed with thyroid problems? Before you lose heart and think all is lost, please know that most thyroid problems can be handled well by medical experts. However, knowledge is power, and it would help you immensely to charge your thyroid issues if you know what is at stake.
After all, the thyroid gland is the one that controls the metabolic rate and much of the brain activity. Take a look at some of the health problems that are caused by the thyroid.
An enlarged thyroid, or goitre, may cause problems with swallowing and breathing. Graves’ disease can cause eye and skin problems. An overactive thyroid can lead to problems including: heart problems, such as rapid heart rate, problems with your heart rhythm (such as atrial fibrillation) or heart failure.
Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD
When the thyroid gland produces more than normal quantities of the thyroid hormones, the condition is known as Hyperthyroidism. It can cause many health problems.
Read More: 8 Best Food for Thyroid Patients to Include in Your Diet
You can get pregnant even if you have hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, but it may be more challenging to conceive. Additionally, if you have a thyroid disorder during pregnancy, your baby may be at increased risk for low birth weight, a fast heart rate, poor weight gain, and low IQ.
Dr. Ashish Bajaj – M.B.B.S, M.D.
Also Read: 8 Most Effective Foods To Fight Thyroid!
When the thyroid gland produces less than usual amounts of thyroid hormones, the condition is known as Hypothyroidism. The metabolic rate of the individual reduces and can lead to severe health issues.
Read More: Difference between Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Fluctuating weight and thyroid: Managing your weight is a long battle to be fought and one that is not easy. Many people experience a pattern of weight loss that occurs without any additional effort on the part of the person. Fluctuations in weight can be due to a dysfunctional thyroid gland.
Thyroid is intimately connected to metabolic functions and calorie consumption. This gland helps in regulating health by closely working with hormones secreted by the adrenal glands and reproductive and pancreatic hormones.
Patients with hypothyroidism typically experience weight gain due to an underactive thyroid gland. This leads to a fall in the basal metabolic rate, which causes weight gain and is the primary symptom of the disease. Other symptoms like lethargy, tiredness, and fatigue accompany hypothyroidism. It becomes difficult to lose weight.
Metabolic burning processes tend to slow down in hypothyroidism, which further causes an increase in weight even in a calorie-restricted diet plan. Women experimenting with several dieting plans, experience disturbances in their metabolic rate, which eventually affects thyroid function.
Also Read: Symptoms of Thyroid in Females
An overactive thyroid is imagined akin to a racing machine. Every function of the gland is in a hyperactive state due to overproduction of thyroid hormones. This leads to accelerated metabolism, and thus, increased weight loss. It may even lead to other symptoms like sweating, tremors, and irregular heartbeats.
Read More: The Difference Between Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism
Medications for thyroid have an impact on the functioning of the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) secreted by the pituitary gland. Thyroid hormones are under direct control of the pituitary, which reacts substantially to any change in the thyroid dose, just like a thermostat.
A high TSH indicates an underproduction of the thyroid hormone and vice versa. The TSH test is used to evaluate the functioning of the pituitary gland that indirectly indicates the functioning of the thyroid gland. Together these hormones affect the metabolic activities of the body.
The relationship between the functioning of the thyroid gland and the basal metabolic rate determines the final weight loss or weight gain.
Read More: 11 Home Remedies for Thyroid
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