Thyroid Disease: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
What Is Thyroid Disease?
Globally there are almost 200 million people who get affected by thyroid and these numbers are increasing every day and year. Thyroid disease refers to a group of conditions that affects the thyroid gland which is located in front of the neck, shaped like a butterfly which looks after how the thyroid gland functions, how thyroid hormones are produced & regulated in the body. The gland releases the thyroid hormones which influence almost every system that is a major part of the body & even a smallest imbalance because of the hormone can lead to health issues.
In this blog, we are going to discuss what is thyroid disease, why it happens and how thyroid problems affect overall problems which will help people understand early symptoms & look for timely care before complications occur.
What Is the Thyroid Gland?
It is one of the most essential glands of the body which plays a critical role in functioning the body in a proper way which balances the body's metabolism, energy use, growth, development & almost every organ's function that affects breathing, heart rate, mood, digestion & temperature. This gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of the neck.
Function of Thyroid Hormones in the Body
This gland functions the thyroid hormones called T3 and T4 in the body that helps in balancing & regulating metabolism, energy levels, heart rate, digestion, body temperature & brain function. These hormones help the body decide how fast or slow to work.
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Thyroid Symptoms
Thyroid is one of the essential glands which affects the whole body. Where it helps in regulating the balance throughout the body, the problems related to it can give the symptoms which can be visible gradually. Thyroid symptoms can differ depending on whether hormone levels are high or low. Some symptoms can be there in your body disrupting your inner balance for years without even realising that they are related to thyroid. Understanding the symptoms related to thyroid can help you in early detection & better long-term outcomes.
Early Signs of Thyroid Problems
If you suffer from thyroid, there can be some symptoms which are important to understand the early signs of thyroid problems that include continuous tiredness, unexplained weight changes, hair fall, dry skin, anxiety or difficulty in concentrating.
Common Thyroid Symptoms in Women
An issue which disrupts the whole body in various ways & it can also vary according to who is suffering with it like common thyroid symptoms in women can include menstrual irregularities, fertility issues, weight gain, mood swings & hair thinning due to hormonal sensitivity.
Thyroid Symptoms in Men
Most of the signs in different genders related to thyroid can almost be the same but thyroid symptoms in men can be unique and mostly related to sexual health like decreased sexual timing, erectile issues, fertility problems with some general signs like goiter, voice changes, weakness in muscles, low stamina, issues, depression or changes in heart rhythm.
Thyroid Symptoms in Children & Teenagers
Thyroid is a disease which can affect people of all ages and if it happens to children and teenagers then it can affect the growth, puberty, learning ability & emotional behaviour.
Causes of Thyroid Problems
A gland which balances the function of the body can get affected if you suffer from any type of thyroid. There can be multiple causes of thyroid problems that are often complex & occur due to multiple factors like biological, nutritional & lifestyle influences rather than a single trigger. There are many people who have a valid concern, is thyroid disease hereditary. One of the important factors of getting thyroid is genetics where if you have a family history of thyroid or autoimmune conditions have a higher risk of developing thyroid disorder gradually. While people also ask, can stress cause thyroid problems but stress cannot directly cause thyroid but the hormonal disturbance due to chronic stress can aggravate symptoms and trigger autoimmune which can lead to starting of thyroid.
There are many types of thyroid like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism where the main causes of hypothyroidism is iodine deficiency, autoimmune damage to the thyroid gland, past thyroid surgery or long term use of particular medications that disturbed the hormone production. While the causes of hyperthyroidism are mostly connected to grave disease, thyroid nodules, inflammation of the thyroid gland or extra iodine intake that releases too much hormone.
Types of Thyroid Disorders
Thyroid is a vital gland which produces hormones to balance and regulate the body’s functions in a unique way. There can be different types of it from which anyone can be suffering with and understanding the accurate type and its treatment at the right time.
Hypothyroidism (Underactive Thyroid)
When your thyroid gland produces less hormones which is insufficient for your body and which leads to slowing down of the metabolism is known as hypothyroidism. This type is also known as underactive thyroid. When you suffer from this type you can notice some symptoms like, tiredness, constipation, weight gain, puffy face, etc. Looking for the right treatment in this type is important.
There is another type which is mostly connected to this type known as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis which is caused by inflammation when the immune system creates antibodies that attack thyroid glands which results in insufficient production of the hormones.
Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid)
Hyperthyroidism is a type of thyroid where your body produces more than enough hormones called T3 & T4 to regulate your body which results in overstimulation of everything. It causes massive weight loss and is also known as overactive thyroid. It increases the rate of metabolism which speeds up the functioning of the body.
Hyperthyroidism can be caused by Graves disease which is an autoimmune disorder where your body produces antibodies which attack the thyroid producing glands and act as thyrotropin(TSH) which tricks the glands to produce more of the hormones. Overstimulation in the body increases the metabolism rate leading to weight loss.
Thyroid Nodules
Thyroid nodules are lumps that are abnormal which are developed under the gland base. These nodules can be found in a solid or fluid filled form that can later get diagnosed.
Goiter
It is a problem where the thyroid gland gets abnormally enlarged. It commonly due to iodine deficiency, hormonal imbalance, or underlying thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
Thyroid Diagnosis and Tests
You can notice the symptoms and changes in your body while suffering with thyroid but you get the accurate results of the situation or disease after a test. For the accurate thyroid diagnosis & tests it is essential to find out the kind & severeness of thyroid disease to appropriate instructions of the treatment. There are some important Thyroid blood test names which you should include like TSH, T3 & T4 levels to measure how your thyroid gland is functioning. Understanding the TSH, T3, T4 levels will help the doctors differentiate the kinds of thyroids like hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism & borderline conditions.
There are many people who don’t know when to get a thyroid test but getting the test at the right time is important if the symptoms are persistent. You should also consider getting tested when you have a family history of thyroid disease, fertility concerns or during pregnancy planning.
Thyroid Problems in Women
Changing hormonal levels during menstruation, pregnancy & menopause are actually the reason that women mostly suffer with thyroid issues. Women's reproductive health & thyroid issues are mostly connected to each other which often leads to irregular cycles, severe bleeding or skipped periods. Managing the thyroid levels during the pregnancy is important for the better health of both fetus and mother.
Homeopathy Treatment for Thyroid
When you suffer from thyroid mostly you need to consume medicine for the life time for better balance and regulation. In this situation you should consider homeopathy treatment for thyroid which will give you a customized treatment considering the factors like physical symptoms, emotional health & lifestyle factors that would help you with the long term balance. Homeopathic treatment for hypothyroidism works gently by increasing thyroid function & improving the metabolism, while homeopathy for hyperthyroidism will help you regulate the excessive hormone production & calm the nervous system.
Thyroid Diet and Lifestyle Changes
If you want to maintain normal hormone levels & reduce frequent symptoms, correct thyroid diet & lifestyle changes are necessary. While the best diet for hyperthyroidism works on reducing excessive stimulation & maintaining bone health, the best diet for hypothyroidism improves metabolism & energy levels. While finding foods to avoid thyroid issues supports avoiding inflammation & hormonal disturbance but choosing the right meals to consume for thyroid health provides a sufficient amount of nutrients. For thyroid patients, regular physical activity and yoga also promote hormonal balance, stress reduction & circulation.
Can Thyroid Be Cured Permanently?
Many people have the one question: can thyroid be cured permanently but the answer to this depends on what kind of thyroid you are suffering with. Mostly thyroid is a disease which is not permanently curable in most situations but highly manageable. Types like hypothyroidism or hashimotos are not curable at all. Ensuring stable hormone levels, avoiding complications & enhancing quality of life are the key goals of effective permanent treatment of thyroid diseases. Results can be greatly enhanced by using natural methods of controlling thyroid levels, such as food control, stress management & supportive treatments.
Conclusion
Yes, thyroid is a complex disease which can disrupt your daily life and can impact some of the most important things in your life specially in women. Managing thyroid at the right time is crucial for timely diagnosis & appropriate care which can be managed effectively. The thyroid gland is one of the glands which produces the hormones that regulate and balance the whole body. A small imbalance or extra stimulation can affect the whole body including metabolism, emotional health & energy levels .
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