The thyroid gland is a tiny gland that makes hormones. In some situations, this gland can begin to overproduce thyroid hormone. This problem is called hyperthyroidism. Conversely, when hypothyroidism develops, this gland produces inadequate amounts of hormones.
Signs
In this article, I have discussed 7 Early Warning Signs of Thyroid Issues. They may indicate that you have developed one of these thyroid problems.
1-Digestive Challenges
If you develop hyperthyroidism, your stool may be very loose. Alternatively, hypothyroidism can cause constipation problems.
2-Mood Problems
In addition to causing negative symptoms physical, thyroid problems lead to mood problems. If the thyroid gland produces excessive hormones, you may feel very angry or frustrated. Emotional challenges prevent you from meeting each other.
3-Unexplained Weight Fluctuation
When the thyroid gland does not release adequate hormones, metabolism can slow down. This change can lead to immediate weight gain. If you gain weight due to a hormonal deficiency, it may be difficult to lose extra weight. Alternatively, hyperthyroidism can speed up your metabolism and cause you to lose weight. When you start losing weight, you can be satisfied with these changes to your appearance. But, changes in body shape can be a warning sign that you have a thyroid problem. Visiting an Endocrinologist is a great way to diagnose these problems and get treatment for your health condition.
4-Skin Problems
In the case of hypothyroidism, the skin may become dry. In the case of hyperthyroidism, the skin may become moist and oily.
5-Difficult to Respond to Temperature Changes
If you have difficulty adapting to changes in body temperature, you may have a thyroid problem. If the thyroid gland does not generate enough hormones, you may find it challenging to cope with lower temperatures.
For example, going out in the winter can feel very cold. You may also need to turn on the heating in your house and wear a jacket when you are indoors. The limbs often
get cold.
If the thyroid gland is overactive, it can be challenging to cope with the hot climate. For example, you may sweat in relatively warm climates.
6-Hair Loss
Hyperthyroidism can cause hair loss. In these health conditions, taking a shower or brushing your hair can result in losing a lot of hair.
7-Memory Problem
Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can damage your memory. If you have these Health problems, you may not focus on your work and other tasks. You may also
Have trouble:
- Following the instructions
- Remembering a person’s name
- Tracking your belongings.
Causes
The conditions that can cause Hypothyroidism are:
1-Thyroiditis
This condition is inflammation (swelling) of the thyroid gland. Inflammation of the thyroid gland can reduce the amount of hormones that the thyroid gland produces.
2-Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis-A painless disease
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease. In this, the cells in the body attack and damage the thyroid gland. It is a hereditary condition.
3-Postpartum Thyroiditis
This condition occurs in 5% to 9% of post-partum women. This is usually a temporary condition.
4-Iodine Deficiency
The thyroid gland utilizes iodine to produce hormones. Iodine deficiency is an issue that affects millions of people around the world.
5-Dysfunctional Thyroid Gland
The thyroid gland may not function properly from birth. About 1 in 4,000 newborns is affected. If left untreated, the child will have physical and mental problems in the
future.
The conditions that can cause Hyperthyroidism are:
1-Graves’ Disease
In this condition, the entire thyroid gland can become overactive and overproduce hormones. This problem is also called diffuse toxic goitre (hypertrophy of the
thyroid gland).
2-Nodules
Hyperthyroidism can be caused by excessive nodules in the thyroid gland.
3-Thyroiditis
This disorder may be painful or not felt at all. In thyroiditis, the thyroid gland releases the hormones stored there. This can take weeks or months.
4-Excess Iodine
When the body has too much iodine, the thyroid gland produces more thyroid hormone than it needs. Excess iodine is found in some medicines (amiodarone,
heart medicine) and cough syrups.
Treatment
If you have high levels of thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism), your treatment options include:
- Antithyroid drugs
- Radioiodine
- Beta-blocker
- Surgery
If the level of thyroid hormone is lower(hypothyroidism), the primary treatment option is Thyroid replacement.
Who to consult?
If you experience any of the above signs, you should consult an Endocrinologist as soon as possible. If left untreated, it can worsen. If you have no idea where to consult, you can visit Marham. It is the best platform that gives you access to the best doctors. You can easily book your appointment with one of the best
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1- Can you detect hypothyroidism looking at your hands?
Hypothyroidism can cause dermatological findings such as:
- Nail infections
- Vertical white ridges on the nails
- Nail crevices
- Brittle nails
- Slow nail growth
- Nails lifting
2- Can the thyroid issue feel like something stuck in the throat?
People with thyroid issues feel like something is stuck in their throats. And needs to be cleaned up when swallowed. They have goitre made from many thyroid nodules.
3- Can Stress be the Cause of Thyroid Problems?
Stress alone does not cause thyroid issues, but it can exacerbate the condition.
4- Do thyroid issues affect sleep?
If the thyroid gland produces too few hormones, You may have trouble falling asleep. Or you may not be able to stay asleep long enough to feel completely rested. Hypothyroidism can also affect sleep by feeling cold and causing pain