Thyroid Disorder: How To Tell If You Have One

If you think you have one, here is a tip on how to tell if you have a thyroid disorder. Check out the article we found over at The Science Of Eating.

Thyroid disorders are conditions that affect the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck. The thyroid has important roles to regulate numerous metabolic processes throughout the body. The thyroid gland is located below the Adam’s apple wrapped around the trachea (windpipe). A thin area of tissue in the gland’s middle, known as the isthmus, joins the two thyroid lobes on each side.

The thyroid uses iodine to produce vital hormones. The function of the thyroid gland is regulated by a feedback mechanism involving the brain. When thyroid hormone levels are low, the hypothalamus in the brain produces a hormone that causes the pituitary gland (located at the base of the brain) to release thyroid stimulating hormone.

Since the thyroid gland is controlled by the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, disorders of these tissues can also affect thyroid function and cause thyroid problems.

At least 30 million Americans have a thyroid disorder and 15 million are silent sufferers who go undiagnosed. Women are as much as 10 times as likely as men to have a thyroid problem. If you’re a woman over 35 your odds of a thyroid disorder are high, more than 30%, by some estimates.

The thyroid produces thyroid hormone to regulate, (among other things) your body’s temperature, metabolism, and heartbeat. Issues arise when your thyroid is under- or over-active. If your thyroid is sluggish, it’s producing too little hormone. If it’s amped-up, it’s producing too much.

Causes & Symptoms Of Thyroid Issues

This could stem from genetics, an autoimmune attack, pregnancy, stress, nutritional deficiencies, or toxins in the environment. Diagnosing a disorder can be challenging, so here’s how to tell if your thyroid could be on the blink.

Sudden Weight Gain/Sudden Weight Loss

Going up a few pounds can be caused by so many things. However, weight gain is one of the top symptoms of a thyroid problem. If you’re gaining weight, and you aren’t eating any more than usual, or you are exercising, but not getting results, it can be due to an under-active thyroid.

On the other end of the scale, a sudden weight loss can signal hyperthyroidism.

Exhaustion/Fatigue

Feeling tired and having no energy are issues associated with all sorts of different conditions, but they’re strongly linked with hypothyroidism, which is the disorder that becomes the result of too little thyroid hormone. If you’re still tired in the morning or all day after a full night’s sleep, that’s a clue that your thyroid may be underactive. This means you don”t have enough thyroid hormone in your bloodstream and cells, so your muscles aren’t getting a signal to get-going. Fatigue is the number one symptom, and that’s a clue that you’re not simply sleep deprived; your thyroid may be under-active.

Sleep Patterns Are Messed Up

If you feel like you want to sleep all of the time, it could be caused by hypothyroidism. A sluggish thyroid can slow bodily functions down to the point where sleeping (even in the daytime) seems like a brilliant idea.

However, if you can’t sleep, it could be hyperthyroidism, as an overactive thyroid can cause anxiety and rapid pulse, which can make it hard to fall asleep or even wake you in the middle of the night.

High Blood Pressure

Elevated blood pressure can be a symptom of both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. By some estimates, people with hypothyroidism have two to three times the risk of developing hypertension. One theory is that low amounts of thyroid hormone can slow heart beat, which can affect pumping strength and blood vessel wall flexibility.

Brain Fog

Sure, it could be caused by sleep deprivation or aging, but cognitive functioning can take a hit when your thyroid is out of whack. While too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) can cause difficulty concentrating, too little (hypothyroidism) can cause forgetfulness and general brain fog. When patients are  treated for hypothyroidism, they are often surprised at how fast their brain fog goes away and how much sharper they feel. Many women think it’s just something that comes along with menopause when it really is a sign of a thyroid problem.

Fertility Issues

If you’ve been trying to have a baby for for quite a while with no luck, an under or over-active thyroid could be a contributing factor. Difficulty conceiving has been linked to a higher risk of thyroid problems. Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can interfere with ovulation, which impairs fertility. Thyroid disorders are also linked to pregnancy complications.

Getting Chills or Hot Flashes

Feeling cold or having chills is associated with hypothyroidism, as the system slow-down caused by an under-active thyroid causes less energy to be burned by cells, and less energy equals less heat.

On the other hand, an overactive thyroid puts energy-producing cells into overdrive, which is why people with hyperthyroidism sometimes feel too warm or sweat profusely.

Next article: Want To Check Your Thyroid? All You Need Is A Thermometer

Read full article: HOW TO TELL IF YOU HAVE A THYROID DISORDER