Have you experienced a dramatic change in your weight? Have you felt swelling at the front of your neck accompanied by fatigue, insomnia, changes to your hair, muscle weakness, or a litany of other symptoms? If so, you could be one of the millions of Americans struggling with a thyroid disorder. Medical experts estimate that roughly 20 million Americans have some type of thyroid disease, which equals 12 percent of the population!
Unfortunately, medical experts also estimate that as many as 60 percent of people who are suffering from a thyroid disorder are unaware of their condition. Discover which signs could point to an issue with your thyroid.
Understanding Your Thyroid
Your thyroid gland, which is located in the front of your neck, is small and has the shape of a butterfly. Despite its small size, your thyroid is one of the most critical glands to the overall function of your body. The thyroid hormones produced by this gland are needed by the body for a wide range of functions and processes that influence whole body health, including the regulation of metabolism, body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate.
Being responsible for such a wide range of functions and processes means that any issues with your thyroid glands can have a devastating impact on your comprehensive wellness, and that is the case whether your thyroid gland is overproducing thyroid hormones or not producing enough of them.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition marked by an underactive thyroid gland. This condition does not typically happen overnight; rather, hypothyroidism will often develop slowly over the course of several years. This slow development can make it difficult for people to know when they are suffering from hypothyroidism. Often, fatigue and unexplained weight gain are the first symptoms that people notice, but those are far from the only symptoms associated with an underactive thyroid. Hypothyroidism can lead to a wide variety of symptoms and conditions that include:
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight gain
- Dry skin
- Weak, sore and aching muscles
- Thinning hair
- Memory issues
- Constipation
- Slowed heart rate
- Increased sensitivity to cold
- Depression
- Puffy face
- Irregular, heavier menstrual cycles
- Enlarged thyroid gland (also known as a goiter)
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is the opposite of hypothyroidism; this condition describes an overactive thyroid gland. Although your body requires thyroid hormones to function at an optimal level, too many of these hormones can also have a negative impact on comprehensive wellness.
Not only is hyperthyroidism the opposite of hypothyroidism, but many of the symptoms associated with an overactive thyroid gland are also the exact opposite of symptoms that can result from an underactive thyroid. Unfortunately, the sheer number of potential symptoms that can be the result of hyperthyroidism could make it seem like you are suffering from different health problems, which also explains why so many people who have this condition do not realize that they have a problem with their thyroid gland. Some of the symptoms connected to hyperthyroidism include:
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Excessive sweating
- Moist, warm skin
- Thinning skin
- Enlarged thyroid gland (goiter)
- Increased sensitivity to heat
- Weak muscles
- Increased hunger
- More frequent bowel movements
- Sleep issues
- Fast heartbeat
- Irregular heartbeat
- Increased irritability, nervousness, and anxiety
- Changes in menstrual cycles
- Heart palpitations
What Causes Thyroid Disorders?
Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can be caused by a variety of diseases and health conditions. Thyroiditis, which is inflammation of the thyroid gland, can lead to both types of thyroid disease. Iodine levels can also have a direct effect on your thyroid gland; iodine deficiency can lead to an underactive thyroid, while excessive amounts of iodine can cause an overactive thyroid.
Autoimmune disorders are the most common source of thyroid disease. Hashimoto’s disease can lead to hypothyroidism, and Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism.
Hypothyroidism can also be the result of radiation therapy, thyroid surgery and certain medications like lithium.
Who Can be Affected by Thyroid Disorders?
While the risk of thyroid disease increases after the age of 60, thyroid disorders can affect people of any age, even children and infants. Women are especially vulnerable to thyroid disorders as they are 5-8 times more likely than men to suffer from issues with their thyroid gland.
How to Address Issues with Your Thyroid
If you find yourself experiencing some of these symptoms and think you might be suffering from a thyroid disorder, a qualified medical professional can analyze your thyroid hormone levels to see if there is a problem. After using imaging tests to rule out tumors as the source of your potential thyroid disorder, a highly trained practitioner can administer blood tests to measure the levels of various thyroid hormones in your body.
If you are found to be suffering from hyperthyroidism, there are various treatments designed to slow the production of thyroid hormones in your body, including radioiodine therapy, antithyroid drugs, and the surgical removal of your thyroid gland (thyroidectomy).
Hypothyroidism, on the other hand, is far more common than an overactive thyroid gland. Fortunately, the treatment for hypothyroidism, thyroid replacement therapy, also happens to be more simple and less intrusive than those for hyperthyroidism. A highly trained hormone practitioner, like those affiliated with EVEXIAS Health Solutions, can prescribe the appropriate amount of thyroid hormones after analyzing the thyroid levels in your body. Using bioidentical thyroid hormones that mimic your natural thyroid hormones, you could then potentially achieve the proper balance required to alleviate the symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland. Find your nearest EvexiPEL certified practitioner today to obtain an in-depth analysis of your thyroid hormone levels.
