Thyroid disorder

Thyroid disorders impact how your body uses energy. The thyroid gland in your neck makes hormones that regulate your metabolism. When the thyroid makes too many or too few hormones, your body's processes can go haywire.
Hypothyroidism happens when your thyroid doesn't make enough hormones. Symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, feeling cold, muscle weakness, dry skin, hair loss, and depression. Hyperthyroidism is the opposite - too many hormones lead to unexplained weight loss, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, tremors, and more frequent bowel movements.

Getting tested can identify a thyroid disorder. A simple TSH blood test checks your thyroid hormone levels. Your doctor may also check T3 and T4 levels for more detail. Treatment depends on the cause but often includes synthetic thyroid hormones to get levels in the normal range. Lifestyle changes like adequate iodine intake and stress management also help.



Common causes of hypothyroidism:

• Hashimoto's disease - an autoimmune disorder where antibodies attack the thyroid


• Treatment for hyperthyroidism


• Thyroid surgery


• Radiation therapy

Hyperthyroidism often results from:

• Graves' disease - an autoimmune disorder causing antibody stimulation of the thyroid


• Noncancerous growths on the thyroid (adenomas)


• Inflammation of the thyroid


• Excess iodine intake

Managing thyroid disorders:

• Take prescribed synthetic thyroid hormones (levothyroxine) as directed


• Follow up regularly to monitor hormone levels


• Make dietary changes like avoiding goitrogens


• Supplement with nutrients like selenium, zinc, iron


• Reduce stress through yoga, meditation, counseling


• Join a support group to help cope with symptoms