Symptoms of thyroid

This doctor has struggled with thyroid disease herself. You can only truly understand what we go through with thyroid disease if you’ve lived it yourself. Written by Amy Myers MD It’s estimated that as many as 25 million Americans have a thyroid problem, and half of them have no idea that they do. Hypothyroidism, or an under-active thyroid, accounts for 90% of all thyroid imbalances. The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland in the center of your neck, is the master gland of metabolism. How well your thyroid is functioning is inter-related with every system in your body. If your thyroid is not running optimally, then neither are you. 10 signs of an under-active thyroid: 1. Fatigue after sleeping 8 to 10 hours a night or needing to take a nap daily. 2. Weight gain or the inability to lose weight. 3. Mood issues such as mood swings, anxiety or depression. 4. Hormone imbalances such as PMS, irregular periods, infertility and low sex drive. 5. Muscle pain, joint pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, or tendonitis. 6. Cold hands and feet, feeling cold when others are not, or having a body temperature consistently below 98.5. 7. Dry or cracking skin, brittle nails and excessive hair loss. 8. Constipation. 9. Mind issues such as brain fog, poor concentration or poor memory. 10. Neck swelling, snoring or hoarse voice. How does your thyroid gland work? Thyroid hormone production is regulated by a feedback loop between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and the thyroid gland. Hypothalamic thyrot...

• Hyperthyroidism: When the thyroid produces hormones in excess • Hypothyroidism: When the thyroid does not produce enough hormones • • • Thyroid tumors: Noncancerous growths, such as nodules or adenomas, that grow from the lining of the thyroid gland and can release excess thyroid hormones • • Postpartum thyroiditis: Thyroid inflammation following the birth of a child A person with thyroid disease may not immediately experience all the symptoms mentioned above. The first signs of thyroid disease that should prompt a visit to a healthcare provider include: • Fatigue • Weight gain or loss without diet or exercise changes • A slowed or increased heart rate • Increased sensitivity to temperature Hypothyroidism • Increased sensitivity to cold • Constipation • Muscle weakness • Weight gain without increasing calorie intake • Muscle and joint pain • Low mood and increased feelings of depression or sadness • Extreme tiredness • Pale and dry skin • Dry and thinning hair • A slower heart rate than usual • Less sweating than usual • Puffiness in the face • Hoarse voice • Heavier menstrual periods • Increased bad cholesterol • Changes to sex drive (libido) • Pain during sexual intercourse • Impaired ability to become aroused Hyperthyroidism • Increased sensitivity to heat • An increase in the number of bowel movements per day or diarrhea • Weight loss • An increase in appetite with a higher caloric intake • Increased feelings of anxiety or nervousness • Irritability • Sleep disturban...

The thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test measures the amount of TSH in the blood. TSH levels convey how well a person’s thyroid is functioning. Doctors can use TSH test results to diagnose thyroid disorders, such as The pituitary gland produces TSH, which is a hormone that stimulates the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the throat. It produces hormones that help regulate many bodily functions, such as metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature. This article describes the TSH test and results. We also discuss what high and low TSH levels indicate and available treatments. Share on Pinterest MNT-infographic_guide infographic by Diego Sabogal 1401179-TSH-levels-original The normal range depends on a person’s age and whether they are pregnant. The ranges tend to increase as a person gets older. Research has not shown a consistent difference in TSH levels between males and females. However, according to the The following table provides estimates of TSH levels that are normal, low (indicating hyperthyroidism), and high (indicating hypothyroidism): Females are more likely to experience thyroid dysfunction than males. The Research does not show a consistent difference in TSH levels between males and females. However, some evidence suggests that TSH levels are generally higher in females. For example, studies in 2020 investigating In some people, thyroid conditions are linked with sexual dysfunction. This may affect more males than females. According to...

What Are the Symptoms of Thyroid Problems? The symptoms of hyperthyroidism include: • Weight loss, despite increased appetite • Increased heart rate, • More frequent • Muscle weakness, trembling hands • Development of a • Lighter or shorter menstrual periods The symptoms of • Lethargy, slower mental processes or depression • Reduced heart rate • Increased sensitivity to cold • Tingling or numbness in the hands • Development of a goiter (an enlargement in your neck) • Subacute thyroiditis: • Mild to severe pain in the • The • Pain or discomfort when swallowing or turning your head • Appearance of these symptoms shortly after a Call Your Doctor About Thyroid Problems If: • You have any of the symptoms listed above. Call 911 or seek emergency medical care if: • You are feverish, agitated, or delirious, and have a rapid pulse; you could be having a thyrotoxic crisis, a sudden and dangerous complication of • You feel intensely cold, drowsy and lethargic; you could be experiencing the symptoms of the beginning stages of a myxedema SOURCES: American Academy of Family Physicians. The American Thyroid Association. EndocrineWeb.com. The Norman Endocrine Surgery Clinic. Community Health Care Medicial Library. Johns Hopkins University. U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Mary Shoman, patient Advocate - About.com. WebMD Drug Reference from MedicineNet: "Levothyroxine Oral."

Diagnosis The symptoms of hypothyroidism can be different from person to person. And they often look like symptoms of other health problems. Because of that, a diagnosis of hypothyroidism doesn't rely on symptoms alone. It's usually based on the results of blood tests. The first blood test typically done to diagnose hypothyroidism measures the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in the blood. If it's high, the test is done again, along with a blood test for the thyroid hormone T-4. If the results show that TSH is high and T-4 is low, then the diagnosis is hypothyroidism. In some cases, the thyroid hormone T-3 may be measured as well. If the second test shows high TSH but T-4 and T-3 are in the standard range, then the diagnosis is a condition called subclinical hypothyroidism. It usually doesn't cause any noticeable symptoms. TSH tests also play an important role in managing hypothyroidism over time. They help your health care provider find and maintain the right dosage of medication for you. The results of these blood tests can be affected by some medicines or supplements. This includes biotin, a vitamin taken as a stand-alone supplement or as part of a multivitamin. Before you have blood tests done, tell your health care provider about any medicines or supplements you take. Treatment Treatment for hypothyroidism usually includes taking the thyroid hormone medicine levothyroxine (Levo-T, Synthroid, others) every day. This medicine is taken by mouth. It returns horm...

Hypothyroidism occurs when your body doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones. The Thyroid hormones help control functions including Also called underactive thyroid, hypothyroidism usually affects people over the age of 60 and is more common in women than men. It may be discovered through a routine blood test or after symptoms begin. If you’ve recently received a hypothyroidism diagnosis, it’s important to know that treatment is considered simple, safe, and effective. Most treatments rely on supplementing your low hormone levels with artificial hormones. These hormones will replace what your body isn’t producing on its own and help return your body’s functions to normal. Hypothyroidism vs. hyperthyroidism The greater amount of thyroid hormone causes some functions in your body to become faster, like your heart rate. You may also experience weight loss and difficulty sleeping. Hyperthyroidism is less common than hypothyroidism. It affects around Medications, radioiodine therapy, and surgery may be used to treat hyperthyroidism. The Early symptoms can include As a result, you may not realize that these changes are related to your thyroid until more symptoms appear. For instance, these may include skin changes associated with hypothyroidism, like scaly, rough, and dry skin and fragile nails. In general, the most common signs and • • • • • • • • • • • • • muscle • For most people, symptoms of the condition progress gradually over many years. As the thyroid slows more and more, ...

What Causes Thyroid Problems? All types of hyperthyroidism are due to an overproduction of thyroid hormones, but the condition can occur in several ways: Graves' disease : The production of too much thyroid hormone. Toxic adenomas: Nodules that form in the thyroid gland and upset the body’s chemical balance by making thyroid hormones. Some goiters may contain several of these nodules. Subacute thyroiditis: Inflammation of the thyroid that causes the gland to "leak" excess hormones. This leads to temporary hyperthyroidism that generally lasts a few weeks but may persist for months. Pituitary gland malfunctions or cancerous growths in the thyroid gland: In rare cases, these can cause hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism, by contrast, stems from an underproduction of thyroid hormones. Since your body needs certain amounts of thyroid hormones to make energy, a drop in hormone production leads to lower energy levels. Causes of hypothyroidism include: Hashimoto's thyroiditis : In this autoimmune disorder, the body attacks thyroid tissue. The tissue eventually dies and stops producing hormones. Removal of the thyroid gland: The thyroid may have been surgically removed or chemically destroyed. Exposure to excessive amounts of iodine: Cold and sinus medicines, the heart medicine amiodarone , or certain contrast dyes given before some X-rays may expose you to too much iodine. Past thyroid issues: You may be at greater risk for hypothyroidism if you have had thyroid problems in the past. ...