The thyroid gland controls many activities in the body, including your heart rate, metabolism, hair growth, and sleep patterns. Unfortunately, these symptoms are common in a variety of illnesses and diseases. Determining the cause of your symptoms as well as developing a treatment plan that includes supplements like pure pyrathyroid is critical to maintaining your health and well-being.
There are a few thyroid disorders that can affect your health, including hyperthyroidism that causes too much hormone to be produced and hypothyroidism that causes not enough thyroid hormone to be produced. In addition to hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, you could suffer from Graves’ disease, a goiter, Hashimoto’s disease, or thyroid nodules.
Understanding hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism, including Graves’ disease, causes nodules to form on the thyroid gland. Those suffering from hyperthyroidism often experience increased sweating, restlessness, anxiety, sleeping difficulties, bulging eyes, weight loss, and thin skin. Treating an overactive thyroid involves preventing the thyroid gland from producing too much thyroid hormone. The most common treatments used include surgery, medications, or radioactive iodine treatments designed to destroy a portion of the thyroid gland.
Understanding hypothyroidism
Hyperthyroidism, including Hashimoto’s disease, prevents the thyroid gland from producing the hormones the body needs to maintain optimal health. Hypothyroidism sufferers often experience cold sensitivity, fatigue, memory problems, slower heart rate, weight gain, depression, and constipation. Treating an underactive thyroid typically involves taking thyroid hormone pills that help counteract the effects of hypothyroidism on the body. Unfortunately, if too high of a dose is given, the sufferer may begin experiencing hyperthyroidism symptoms.
Understanding goiters
Goiters cause the thyroid gland to become enlarged. Enlarged thyroid glands are often due to an iodine deficiency. Studies have shown that approximately 200 million people worldwide suffer from . In addition to an iodine deficiency, goiters can be caused by hyperthyroidism. Goiters cause a feeling of tightness or swelling in the neck, swallowing troubles, breathing difficulties, wheezing, a hoarse voice, and coughing.
During your annual physical, your doctor will examine your neck to check for a goiter. If a goiter is found, an ultrasound may be ordered to check for nodules or swelling in the thyroid gland. Unless a goiter is interfering with your ability to eat or breathe or you are experiencing a hoarse voice, wheezing, or coughing, your doctor will not do anything. If you are experiencing these symptoms, surgery or radioactive iodine can be used to shrink the thyroid gland.
Understanding thyroid nodules
Thyroid nodules form on the thyroid gland. Most nodules are benign. Benign nodules typically do not cause any symptoms. However, if they become large, they can cause swallowing and breathing difficulties, a goiter, or neck pain. Finally, some thyroid nodules produce hormones, resulting in symptoms similar to hyperthyroidism, including increased appetite, weight gain, high pulse rate, and nervousness.
To determine what is causing your thyroid problems, you will need to have a variety of tests done. The most popular test is a blood test that measures your thyroid stimulating hormone and the thyroid hormone that is in your blood. In addition to this, your physician may inject you with radioactive iodine to determine the amount of iodine the thyroid gland takes in.
What are the symptoms of the most common thyroid conditions?
Because the thyroid gland is responsible for so many processes in the body, you can experience a variety of symptoms, including;
- Cold intolerance
- Constipation
- Enlarged thyroid gland
- Fatigue
- Heat sensitivity
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Muscle aches
- Muscle weakness
- Nervousness
- Poor appetite
- Sleep problems
- Unexplained weight gain
- Vision issues
- Weakness
- Weight loss
The American Thyroid Association reports that over 12 percent of Americans develop a thyroid issue during their lifetime. Unfortunately, approximately 60 percent of thyroid disease sufferers are unaware they have a thyroid issue. Undiagnosed thyroid issues can increase the risk of severe medical conditions, inducing infertility, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease.
The thyroid gland manufactures hormones that are used by a number of vital functions in the body including your metabolism, brain development, digestion, and muscle control. When the thyroid gland functions poorly, you can experience a number of symptoms, including heat sensitivity, weight gain or loss, sleep problems, and fatigue. If you experience the warning signs listed above, contact a Thyroid Specialist Virginia to determine if you have an undiagnosed thyroid problem.