The thyroid is a special kind of gland located in the neck. The body has several glands, and the thyroid is one of them. It is responsible for creating and releasing substances that help the body with a specific function. It is responsible for creating the hormones that help control various vital functions of the body. In case the thyroid doesn’t work properly, it can affect the body in certain ways. Thyroid disease is when the thyroid gland either makes too much of these hormones or doesn’t make these hormones at all. There are several types of thyroid diseases, such as hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, thyroiditis, and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
The thyroid is a small gland wrapped around the windpipe. It might be a small gland, but that doesn’t mean that its importance can be overlooked. There are a lot of things that the thyroid gland does that include controlling the metabolism.
Thyroid Disease
Thyroid Disease is a generalized term given to a medical condition where the thyroid gland does not produce the right amount of hormones. In thyroid disease, the gland either produces more hormones or fewer hormones than the required amount.
There are two common thyroid diseases or disorders, namely hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism is when the thyroid makes too much thyroid hormone. In this case, the body uses energy too quickly, which results in the body getting tired easily. This may come with several other problems, such as a faster heartbeat and rapid weight loss.
Hypothyroidism is just the opposite of hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland releases too little hormone. In this case, the body may get tired easily. The person affected by it may find it hard to tolerate cold temperatures.
Who Can Develop Thyroid Disease?
The truth is anyone can be affected by thyroid disease. Be it a man, woman, child, or infant, anyone can be affected by the disorder. The thyroid can be present in infants at the time of birth as well. It can also develop in women as they age. It is generally after menopause.
It is a very common disease that affects millions across the world. Nearly 20 million people in the United States are affected by Thyroid. However, women are more likely to get affected by thyroid disease. Certain people are at higher risk of getting affected by Thyroid disease.
Those who may be at higher risk of developing thyroid disease include:
- Those who are taking a medication with rich iodine content.
- Women who are older than 60 years.
- Those who are having a family history of the thyroid.
- Other medical conditions include type 1 diabetes, anemia, primary adrenal insufficiency, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or Turner syndrome.
- Those who have undergone treatment for cancer of thyroid condition in the past.
Also Read, Yoga Poses That Can Help You Get Rid of Thyroid Problems
Common Thyroid Symptoms
There are a variety of symptoms one may experience in the case of a Thyroid disease. The thyroid symptoms are a lot similar to any other medical condition. Hence, finding if a person has a Thyroid disease just by looking at the symptoms could be a tricky task. However, the symptoms can be classified into two categories depending on the type of thyroid disease, i.e., hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism:
- Trouble is Sleeping
- Sudden Weight Loss
- Goiter (a condition where a person has an enlarged thyroid gland)
- Anxiety and Nervousness
- Shakiness
- Muscle Weakness
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- Eye Problem
Common symptoms of hypothyroidism
- Fatigue
- Difficulty in remembering things
- Bad Hair Health
- Strained or Breathy Voice
- Intolerance to cold temperature.
In the case of severe thyroid disease, one may witness rapid hair loss or even seizures.
How to diagnose thyroid disease?
It is quite difficult to diagnose thyroid disease due to the similarity in symptoms from other diseases. The symptoms of Thyroid disease can also be witnessed by pregnant ladies. A person who is aging can also witness similar symptoms. The only way to diagnose thyroid disease is through medical tests. The tests that are commonly conducted for diagnosing thyroid disease include
- Blood Tests
- Physical Tests
- Imaging Tests
Apart from this, some additional blood tests can be conducted for the confirmation of a Thyroid disease. These tests include:
- Calcitonin
- Thyroglobulin
- Thyroid Antibodies
