The Thyroid
Understanding the role of the thyroid can tend to be a deep dive into anatomy and physiology, (best left to your healthcare professional), though discovering a little about its function and impact on your life can go a long way in establishing your optimal health journey.
The thyroid is a soft bow-shaped gland that sits in the lower front area of the neck beneath the larynx (Adam's apple). The thyroid is part of the endocrine system, which is made up of glands that produce, store, and release hormones into the bloodstream so the hormones can reach the body's cells. The thyroid gland uses iodine from the foods you eat to make two main hormones. Thyroxine (T4) and Triiodothyronine (T3). These two hormones particularly thyroxine, regulate your body’s energy, contribute to nervous system function, temperature regulation, metabolism, heart rate, breathing and muscle tone.
T3 and T4 travel in your bloodstream to reach almost every cell in the body. The hormones regulate the speed with which the cells/metabolism work. For example, T3 and T4 regulate your heart rate and how fast your intestines process food. So if levels are low, your heart rate may be slower than normal, and you may have constipation/weight gain. If levels are high, you may have a rapid heart rate and diarrhea/weight loss.
Issues of the thyroid are reasonably complex so we will leave the complex details for your physician and offer a superficial insight into the two most common issues associated with thyroid dysfunction and some of the associated symptoms.
It is estimated that around 200 million people are affected by a thyroid condition, with 1 in 10 Canadians and 1 in 6 Australians experiencing related health issues and dysfunction.
Consult your physician for diagnosis if you are unsure.
Thyroid dysfunction seems to follow genetics and falls into two categories, Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism, as the name suggests, is a condition where the thyroid is overactive, producing excessive T4 - thyroxine. Too much T4 tends to speed up your metabolism which makes your body use energy far quicker than is normal.
The most common form of hyperthyroidism is Graves disease - an autoimmune condition that causes the thyroid to produce too much thyroid hormone and occasionally increase in size.
People suffering from hyperthyroidism may experience:
Appetite change (decrease or increase)
Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
Fatigue
Frequent bowel movement—perhaps diarrhea
Heart palpitations
Heat intolerance
Increased sweating
Irritability
Light menstrual periods—perhaps even missed periods
Mental disturbances
Muscle weakness
Nervousness
Problems with fertility
Rheumatoid arthritis
Shortness of breath
Sudden paralysis
Tremor/shakiness
Vision changes
Weight loss-but perhaps weight gain
Dizziness
Thinning of hair
Itching and hives
Possible increase in blood sugar
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is an under active thyroid. Since the thyroid has an active role in regulating the body’s metabolism, it is understandable that symptoms may present as a slowing of the metabolism.
It is thought that around 10% of women and up to 10million Americans suffer from hypothyroidism. Having a previous or ongoing inflammation of the thyroid gland may damage the cells which results in them not producing enough thyroid hormone. The most common form of thyroid inflammation is called Hashimotos Thryoiditis.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism may include:
Fatigue
Weakness
Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight
Coarse, dry hair
Dry, rough pale skin
Hair loss
Cold intolerance (you can't tolerate cold temperatures like those around you)
Muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches
Constipation
Depression
Irritability
Memory loss
Abnormal menstrual cycles
Decreased libido
As we have seen, thyroid dysfunction, whether it is hyper or hypothyroidism, may present with many varying symptoms. If you notice changes or are experiencing any of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with your family physician for an expert diagnosis and discussion on your thyroid function.