The thyroid gland located below Adam’s apple is the hotbed of many biological activities. From controlling our metabolism to our moods to our weight, and to the health of our hair, the thyroid gland takes care of many metabolic processes. Genetic, environmental and other issues support thyroid health.Now most of us struggle with a few kilos, feel tired or get the blues once in a while, but if you are battling these on a regular basis, you could be suffering from thyroid problems. Read on to find more things you need to know about your thyroid gland.
The thyroid gland orchestrates the metabolic processes of the body. This butterfly-shaped gland is responsible for how much we weigh to how the body regulates the temperature. When this gland doesn’t work efficiently, it may produce low or high quantities of the thyroid hormones leading to a lot of problems. This could be due to genetics, stress, pregnancy, nutritional deficiencies or a poor lifestyle. Here is how to figure out if you are heading towards a thyroid disorder or your thyroid is not working right:
Fatigue is considered the number one symptom of faulty thyroid functioning. If adequate rest or a full night’s sleep does not reduce the feeling of exhaustion, you could be suffering from hypothyroidism.
When the thyroid gland is overactive, you could end up feeling constantly jittery or anxious. This is because high amounts of these hormones put the body in an alert and overdriven state. The thyroid hormones control the brain’s activities and any imbalance can cause serious changes to the person’s mental makeup.
Read More: Relation Between Stress and Thyroid
Having a slow functioning thyroid gland could lead to a decreased sex drive or even a complete loss of interest in sex.
Hypothyroidism can lead to dry and itchy skin. This is especially apparent on the feet which become flaky and dry. Even the nails become brittle.
If you have lost or gained weight without any cause, your thyroid may be not working optimally. The thyroid hormones control the appetite and thereby, affect weight.
Also Read: 11 Ways To Treat Thyroid At Home
Those who suffer from thyroid problems, face altered bowel movements. Someone with hypothyroidism may become constipated while someone with hyperthyroidism may suffer from diarrhoea.
Thermoregulation is an important effect of thyroid hormones. When there are thyroid issues, the body cannot regulate the body temperature well and this could lead to someone feeling too hot or too cold compared to other people around.
The women who suffer from thyroid problems experience menstrual irregularities. With hypothyroidism, the periods become longer and with more blood flow and with hyperthyroidism they become shorter with very light blood flow.
Also Read: 8 Most Effective Foods To Fight Thyroid!
The thyroid hormones are connected to fertility. If the body does not produce the optimal quantity of thyroid hormones, it could lead to infertility and in more severe cases, even miscarriages.
High blood pressure is another sign of thyroid issues. Both conditions of the thyroid problem- hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism are responsible for this.
A lump, below Adam’s apple, is a sign that you suffer from thyroid disorder or problems, contributing to altered voice patterns making your voice hoarse.
If you suffer from two or three of these signs, consult your doctor thyroid levels checked through a simple blood test. Many people don’t even know they are suffering from thyroid disorder problems until it is too late.
Read More: The Difference Between Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism
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