10 Signs and Symptoms of Thyroid Issues You Need to Know

 Everything you need to know about the thyroid and its role in your health, plus common signs of thyroid problems.

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck that can affect many functions of the body. Its impact on your health begins even before you are born; the health of the mother's thyroid will determine the baby's brain development and physical size, says Neeti Sharma, MD, an internal medicine physician and a functional medicine physician at Parsley Health. In adults, the thyroid affects metabolic activity (or how your body uses energy), your heart, and your bones, but it can actually have an influence on all of the body's functions and organs to some degree, says Dr. Sharma. That means if something is wrong, it could have a ripple effect.

The thyroid works in conjunction with the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus, a region of the brain. The hypothalamus releases thyroid-releasing hormone (TRH) which stimulates the pituitary, another region of the brain to release thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). That, in turn, stimulates the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones T3 and T4. There is a feedback loop between the thyroid hormones T4 and the brain, so when there is enough hormone in the blood, TRH and TSH stop being released. This happens constantly to maintain hormonal balance. These thyroid hormones are specifically the ones that can influence the majority of organ functions, explains Dr. Sharma.

The key to understanding the role of the thyroid in your health is knowing that its environment can profoundly affect its function and even throw it out of balance, says Dr. Sharma. “When people think about the thyroid and how it works, they think that it is something fixed and does not change, but it is the opposite: how we do in our environment, how we eat, our stress, pollutants, everything can change in a way very dynamic and drastic what our thyroid does and how it responds, ”he says. "That's why it's important to determine how to change your environment to better accommodate your thyroid." In other words, if your thyroid hormones are out of whack, there are changes you can make to improve your thyroid health, which can ultimately be beneficial to your overall health.

Here's what you need to know about thyroid conditions, including the causes, how to spot the symptoms of a thyroid problem, and how to address concerns.

What Causes Thyroid Problems?

One in eight women will experience thyroid problems in her lifetime, according to the Office on Women's Health. While the most common causes of both high and low thyroid are autoimmune thyroid conditions, Dr. Sharma points out some other factors that may play a role in thyroid conditions, including:

• Nutrient deficiencies, such as iron, zinc, selenium, vitamin E, or B vitamins, or high or low levels of iodine
• High levels of stress, such as cortisol, the stress hormone, can suppress the release of TSH by the pituitary gland, which means that the thyroid will not be instructed to produce hormones.
• Fluoride toxins
• Large amounts of heavy metals in the body.
• Gluten intolerance
• Infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus and Yersinia enterocolitica
• Radiation or surgery that affects the thyroid gland.
• Family history of thyroid disease.

Symptoms of thyroid problems

Because the thyroid can affect many organs and systems in your body, the variety of symptoms of a thyroid problem can be widespread. Dr. Sharma explains what he needs to consider to determine if you might have a thyroid condition:

1. Weight gain or loss

Depending on whether the body is producing too much or too little thyroid hormones T3 and T4, this could cause you to lose or gain weight, respectively. This weight change stems from the thyroid's role in your metabolism. If you haven't changed your eating or exercise routine, but are still seeing the number on the scale go up or down, it might be time to talk to your doctor.

2. Fatigue

The thyroid gland affects mitochondrial health or the energy packages of our cells that produce energy. When you have low thyroid hormone, your mitochondria cannot function as efficiently or effectively, so you will feel less energetic, says Dr. Sharma. This feeling of fatigue could be a sign of a thyroid problem at play.

3. Mood swings

Irritability and depression can also accompany low thyroid function while feeling nervous or anxious can indicate high thyroid activity. Experts aren't exactly sure what mechanism causes the thyroid to affect mood, but Dr. Sharma says animal studies show that thyroid hormone can influence neurotransmitters that play a role in mood disorders. cheer up. Because the thyroid targets the brain, it could also result from high or low thyroid hormones that prevent brain cells from working at their optimum level.

4. Irregular heart rhythms

While those with a low thyroid function may experience a slow heart rate, those with an overactive thyroid may find that they have heart palpitations or their heart skips. A slow heart rate can make you tired or fatigued and short of breath; If someone has a fast heartbeat, they may feel like a thump in the chest or they may feel palpitations. That fast speed can also feel similar to anxiety. These changes in your heart rate are due to too much or too little thyroid hormone that tells your heart to pump too fast or too slow.

5. Difficulty breathing

If you walk a certain distance that used to not be a problem, and now you are short of breath when you do, it could be a sign of a thyroid problem.

6. Swelling in the legs or face

Swelling, particularly non-pitting edema, which can occur on the body or face, especially around the eyes, can also indicate low thyroid function.

7. A yellow or orange tint to the skin.

When your thyroid isn't working properly, your body can't convert beta-carotene into vitamin A. This can leave your skin looking discolored. If you notice any abnormal changes in your skin color, it could be a sign of a thyroid problem and you should speak to your doctor immediately.

8. Heavy or prolonged periods

Your thyroid helps control your menstrual cycle. If your body doesn't make enough thyroid hormones, you could have long or heavy periods. On the other hand, if your body is producing too many thyroid hormones, you may be having a mild period. So be on the lookout for irregular periods as they can indicate a thyroid problem.

9. Muscle weakness

While the connection between the thyroid and muscle weakness is not fully understood, it likely has to do with the thyroid's role in cell metabolism and normal cell function. Low thyroid hormones can negatively affect the breakdown of glycogen to glucose, which muscles need for energy, and can also slow down the conversion of ATP, the molecule that breaks down food into energy that skeletal muscle can use.

10. Digestive problems

Just as thyroid hormones can affect your heart and other organs, they can also cause problems in your gut. Those with low thyroid function may experience constipation, while those with high function may have diarrhea.

Other signs of an underactive thyroid: feeling cold, joint or muscle pain, thinning hair, dry skin, hoarse voice

Other signs of an overactive thyroid: feeling hot, increased sweating, bulging eyes

Common thyroid problems

1. Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism means that your thyroid is not making enough crucial thyroid hormones. This is more common than hyperthyroidism, although it often goes unnoticed, Dr. Sharma says. Hypothyroidism slows down body functions, such as metabolism and heart rate, and can lead to weight gain.

2. Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism means that the thyroid produces too many thyroid hormones. It speeds up body functions, such as metabolism and heart rate, and can lead to weight loss.

3. Hashimoto's thyroiditis

An autoimmune disease, Hashimoto's involves antibodies that attack the thyroid gland, so it cannot function properly. It is the most common cause of hypothyroidism, affecting approximately five out of 100 people, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. It is also more common in women than men.

4. Grave's disease

This autoimmune condition involves an overactive thyroid gland. Like Hashimoto's, the immune system attacks the thyroid gland, but in this case, it causes it to produce more thyroid hormones than your body actually needs. That means you will have higher than normal levels of T3 and T4 in your body, but lower levels of TSH.

What to do if you have symptoms of a thyroid problem

If you find that it can flag some of the signs of thyroid problems listed above, it is always a good idea to speak with your doctor. They will be able to offer a thyroid test through a blood sample. Many doctors test your TSH levels, but at Parsley Health, doctors also routinely monitor free T4, total T4, free T3, reverse T3, anti-TPO, and antithyroglobulin antibodies; These provide a bigger picture of what is happening to your thyroid health. Many doctors will also monitor iodine levels, as it can increase breakouts in Hashimoto's, says Dr. Sharma. While some doctors prescribe medications, it's important to talk to them and find out the underlying issues that could be causing your thyroid condition (for example, heavy metals, nutrient deficiencies, or high levels of stress), he adds.

Research supports the importance of observing a person's environment and how it plays a role in thyroid function. Many thyroid healing lifestyle changes can help you address long-term thyroid conditions. Dr. Sharma mentions that tactics like stress management and practices like yoga, Tai Chi, or meditation are an example of a useful lifestyle adjustment. But it is more important to consider the big picture. You may also need to evaluate your diet, your gut bacteria, or your sleep schedule. A physician trained in holistic medicine can help you find a personalized diagnosis and treatment plan.