The thyroid gland may be small, but it plays a huge role in keeping our bodies functioning properly. Located at the base of the neck, this tiny organ influences nearly every part of our system. When it malfunctions, our bodies send signalsβthough some are subtle and easy to overlook. Paying close attention to these changes can help detect thyroid issues early, allowing for quicker treatment and better outcomes.
Below, Borcd Panda highlights the symptoms of thyroid disease and explores how factors like age, gender, and nutrition can influence its development.
Content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your doctor for guidance regarding your health and medical conditions.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is one of the two main types of thyroid diseases. A healthy thyroid releases just the right amount of hormones into the bloodstream to keep the body functioning smoothly. However, in hyperthyroidism, the thyroid produces too much hormone, which can overwhelm the body and lead to a range of symptoms.
So, what are the signs of hyperthyroidism? Hereβs one personβs experience:
“I started noticing that something felt off, but it happened gradually over the last two years. About a year ago, my hair began shedding heavily. Iβd experience sudden waves of debilitating anxiety for no reason, a racing heart, overheating, trouble sleeping, and bouts of extreme fatigue.”
These are classic symptoms of an overactive thyroid. Because of these signsβand having a sister with hypothyroidism (an autoimmune condition)βthis individual suspected a thyroid issue and asked their doctor to investigate.
If youβre experiencing similar symptoms, itβs important to consult a healthcare professional. Early detection and treatment can make a significant difference in managing thyroid conditions.
Content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your doctor for guidance regarding your health and medical conditions.Β LuckyDJC / Reddit
1. Heart Palpitations
Too much ofΒ the thyroid hormoneΒ enhancesΒ the speed atΒ which aΒ heart beats.
2. Anxiety or Irritability
Thyroid disease can significantly impact your mood, particularly in cases of hyperthyroidism, where an overactive thyroid often leads to feelings of nervousness or irritability. This thyroid-related anxiety typically occurs alongside other physical symptoms, such as unexplained weight changes, heart palpitations, and body aches. If youβre experiencing these signs together, it could indicate a thyroid imbalance worth discussing with a healthcare professional.
3. Decrease in menstrual cycle
TheΒ menstrual cycle and reproductive systemΒ is also affected by thyroid disease. It can cause irregular menstruation and a lighter flow, and fertility issues could result from this.
4. Increased appetite
As the thyroid produces hormones that control metabolism and how the body uses energy, an excessive release of these hormones will then increase a person’sΒ appetite.
5. Eye problems
Many people experience modestΒ eye issuesΒ which include redness, dryness or vision problems; dry, gritted eyes that are sensitive to light, watering eyes, double or obscured vision, crimson eyes or bulging eyes with red, puffy, or drawn-back eyelids.
6. Increased Sweating
Hyperthyroidism may be indicated byΒ excessive and frequent sweating. People with this type of thyroid disease are typically warm, with skin that’s moist to the touch.
Age and Gender
- Older peopleΒ may encounter moreΒ subtle symptomsΒ which includes anΒ irregular heartbeat, weight loss,Β depression, and daily fatigue.
- Women over 60Β are more likely to develop a thyroid condition.
- In children and teens, thyroid hormone is necessary for normal growth and development.Β Teenagers’ bodiesΒ require sufficient amounts of these hormones to sustain specific processes – Puberty is one of those processes. Teenagers who have high levels of thyroid hormone in their blood for an extended period of timeΒ may grow more quickly and experience puberty earlier.
Nutrition
- Those with an overactive thyroid may benefit from the followingΒ foods:Β low iodine foodsΒ like fruit and fruit juices, egg whites, fresh or frozen vegetables, herbs and spices and vegetable oils;Β leafy green vegetables;Β foodsΒ with seleniumΒ like rice, egg whites, baked beans,Β oatmeal, spinach etc. and foods withΒ iron,Β calcium,Β vitamin DΒ and spices.Β AvoidΒ caffeine, gluten, soy and foods containing iodineΒ such as fish, kelp, seaweed, dairy products, iodine supplements, red-dyed foods, and egg yolks.
Hypothyroidism
This occurs when the thyroid produces tooΒ littleΒ hormones to distribute to the whole body, and this causes certain parts of the body to malfunction. Symptoms may not be so noticeable at the early stages, as some are not as common. So, what are some of these symptoms?
“My eyebrows have been thinning, and Iβm suspecting it to be hypothyroidism because I have a thyroid condition like hypothyroidism. However, itβs the ONLY symptom I am having right now. Is thinning eyebrows only a precursor for worser symptoms, or should I be experiencing more than just that?” Wt87745 / Reddit
1. Eyebrow hair loss
An eyebrow will usually lose hair at theΒ outer cornerΒ of the eyebrow – the part closest to the ear, due to hypothyroidism. Thyroid-related hair loss is oftenΒ not permanent, and the hair should regain its fullness once thyroid levels return to normal.
2. Thick, dry, brittle nails
AΒ personβsΒ fingernails and toenailsΒ may vary inΒ appearance and health due toΒ thyroid issues.Β NailsΒ can grow more orΒ less swiftly, they could change their appearance, including ridges and shine and alterations inΒ texture, such asΒ brittle nails that lift off the bed.
3. Memory Problems
Mentally, thyroid diseaseΒ β hypothyroidismΒ β doesnβt release enough hormones toΒ the mind, creating aΒ mental fatigue whereby aΒ person canβt easily retain information.
4. Cold feet
Due to aΒ slower metabolism, the body’s temperature decreases, causing cold hands or feet. An underactive thyroid may also cause theΒ feet’ solesΒ to develop dry, cracked heels. Skin may appear leathery in texture and look or develop deep, painful cracks.
Diet and Nutrition
- Iodine is used by theΒ thyroid glandΒ to produce thyroid hormones. However, if you haveΒ Hashimoto’s diseaseΒ or other autoimmune thyroid problems, you may be more susceptible to iodine’s negative side effects.Β Eating foods high in iodine, such as kelp, dulse, and other types of seaweed, may cause or aggravate hypothyroidism.Β Taking iodine supplements can produce the same effect.
- Pregnant women:Β BecauseΒ a fetusΒ receives iodine from the mother’s diet,Β pregnantΒ women require more iodine during pregnancy.
Age and Gender
- Women over 60Β are more likely to develop a thyroid condition.
- InfantsΒ can develop hypothyroidism. MostΒ newbornsΒ born without or with a malfunctioning thyroid gland do not exhibit symptoms immediately, but if hypothyroidism is not detected and treated quickly, symptoms such asΒ feeding issues, poor growth, poor weight gain, jaundice (a disorder characterized by yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), constipation, poor muscular tone, dry skin, crying in a raspy voice, an enlarged tongue and a soft swelling or bulging near the belly button, sometimes known as an umbilical herniaΒ can develop.
When an infant’s hypothyroidism is not treated, it can develop into serious physical and mental development issues. - Teens:Β Children and adolescentsΒ with hypothyroidism can experience all the common symptoms but, they may also haveΒ poor growth causing a small stature, slow development of permanent teeth, delayed puberty and poor cognitive development.
Impact of Stress on Thyroid Function
StressΒ can fuel thyroid disease symptoms by making them worse or causing them to take longer to go away. One needs to avoid stressful situations, as best as possible, and speak to a trusted medical consultant if they suspect that they might have the disease.
Here are someΒ techniquesΒ to alleviate stress:
- Regular exercise
- Avoiding stressors wherever possible.
- Breathing techniques
- Psychotherapy and other therapeutic techniques
- Activities include yoga, mindfulness, meditation, and journaling
Our bodies are constantly speaking, we just have to listen so that we can give ourselves the best things we deserve. So check outΒ this articleΒ to understand what your urine is saying about your health.
credits by: Brightside.me
