What is Thyroid?
A tiny, butterfly-shaped organ located in the front of the neck, just below the larynx is the thyroid. An important organ of the endocrine system, its main function is to regulate different metabolic processes by the production and release of hormones. The thyroid produces hormones like thyroxine, triiodothyronine, and calcitonin that are related to metabolism, energy production, and calcium level regulation in the blood, respectively. In this informational blog, we will explore the different thyroid signs and symptoms; low thyroid symptoms, high thyroid symptoms, and how you can get your thyroid problem treated. Let’s learn something new today!
How Does the Thyroid Gland Work in Maintaining Hormonal Balance?
The thyroid gland plays an important role in maintaining the hormonal balance. This happens through a system known as the HPT axis, i.e., the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis.
In this what happens is that the hypothalamus, which is a region of the brain, keeps a check on the thyroid hormones in the bloodstream. When this region detects a low level of thyroid hormones, it releases thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH). This now travels to the pituitary gland in the brain. Here the pituitary gland releases thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) into the bloodstream as a result of the stimulation from the TRH. Now next, this TSH stimulates the follicular cells in the thyroid gland to take up iodine from the bloodstream and release T3 – triiodothyronine and T4 – thyroxine to regulate metabolism. Then if the levels of these hormones rise, it sends out a negative signal to the pituitary gland and hypothalamus. Then this reduces the TRH and TSH production. This is how the thyroid gland balances hormones preventing the thyroid signs and symptoms.
If anything goes wrong within this system, this leads to thyroid disorders. This is why keeping a check on your thyroid signs and symptoms through health checkups is necessary.
Who is Affected by Thyroid Disease?
Generally, women are more prone to get thyroid disorders than men. This is because of extreme hormonal changes during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause. Then other factors that can determine who is affected by thyroid signs and symptoms are age and genetics. For example, older people are more prone to hypothyroidism, and younger people have hyperthyroidism. Those people who suffer from autoimmune diseases are also at a higher risk of developing thyroid disorders. Thyroid disorders are common where there is excess or deficiency of iodine.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough T3 and T4 hormones. Some of these thyroid signs and symptoms are as follows;
Fatigue and weakness: Fatigue and weakness are the most common low thyroid symptoms. Due to hypothyroidism, and the lack of hormone production that is essential for energy metabolism, the body does not get enough energy, which results in frequent weakness, sluggishness, and fatigue, mental as well as physical exhaustion despite getting rest.
Weight gain: Since the metabolism slows down in hypothyroidism, it leads to a buildup of excess calories, which are stored as fats, especially near the abdomen. Weight gain is of the low thyroid symptoms that are observed gradually. There is fluid retention in a person’s body affected by hypothyroidism. These thyroid signs and symptoms happen not due to overeating, but rather an imbalance in the way energy is spent.
Cold sensitivity: The next among the low thyroid symptoms is that there is increased sensitivity to cold due to the body’s inability to regulate body temperature normally. So during the cold weather, a person suffering from hypothyroidism may feel more cold, especially in their hands and legs.
Constipation: Another common one of the low thyroid signs and symptoms is constipation and bloating. The thyroid hormones have a great impact on the digestive system and the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract. When there are low hormone production levels, the functioning of these muscles deteriorates causing indigestion and discomfort.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid gland produces excessive hormones. This thyroid signs and symptoms are;
Rapid heartbeat: High thyroid symptoms include palpitations or racing heartbeat due to the dysregulation of heart rate. Excess hormones may cause the heart to beat faster and also irregularly.
Anxiety and Irritability: Other common hyperthyroidism symptoms are anxiety and irritability. This happens because excessive hormone production causes the central nervous system to get overstimulated. This can cause restlessness and anxiety in a person.
Heat intolerance and Sweating: In hyperthyroidism, the metabolic rate is increased, due to which a person might feel much hotter even in normal temperatures. Decreased tolerance towards heat can therefore also increase sweating as the body then tries to cool itself down.
Tremors: Another one of the high thyroid symptoms that occurs because of overstimulation of the central nervous system is tremors. Tremors can accept a person’s daily life activities.
Treatment of Thyroid Disease
Finding the right dosage and taking levothyroxine correctly
Thyroid disorders are treated by taking a medication called levothyroxine. This medication is used to normalize hormone production. The doctor prescribes the medication based on an individual’s specific need
Alternative medicine
Supplements like vitamin D, iodine, and selenium can be taken with the advice of a doctor. Other than this, managing stress and having a thyroid-friendly Indian food with carbs, proteins, and fats diet can help support the medications that you have been prescribed.
FAQs
1) What are the common symptoms of hypothyroidism?
Common symptoms of hypothyroidism are sluggishness, weakness, extreme sensitivity to cold, weight gain, dry skin and coarse hair, constipation, muscle pain, stiffness, and joint pain.
2) What causes thyroid disorders?
Hypothyroidism is caused when the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones and hyperthyroidism is caused when the thyroid gland produces an excess of hormones.
3) Can thyroid disorders be prevented?
Yes, definitely. Remember to eat a balanced diet and stay active and healthy. Also, ensure that you get a sufficient intake of iodine but not excess of it.
4) When should I see a doctor if I suspect a thyroid issue?
If you start noticing any of the symptoms and also have a family history of the disorder, make sure you consult a doctor regarding the same.