When your thyroid makes either too much or too little of important hormones you are expected to have Thyroid disease or issues. There are different types of thyroid disease. If you have thyroid disorder, there are multiple symptoms that you could experience. Thyroid symptoms are generally similar to the signs of other medical conditions. This can make it hard to understand if your indications are related to a thyroid issue or entirely something else.
Rajashree Gadgil the best Nutritionist in Thane known for Thyroid management, explains Thyroid symptoms and treatment. To know more, read on.
Women are far more likely to develop thyroid disease than men, which can lead to health consequences affecting their menstrual periods and fertility. Let’s explain the Thyroid Symptoms in female.
Thyroid Symptoms in Female
Familiar symptoms of thyroid problems in females include:
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight changes
- Faster-than-usual heart rate (tachycardia)
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feeling sensitive to heat
- Clammy or sweaty skin
- Feeling anxious, irritable, or nervous
- A lack of periods (amenorrhea) or irregular menstrual cycles
Underactive Thyroid Symptoms in Females
General signs of an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) in females include:
- Weariness
- Weight gain
- Feeling cold
- Depression
- 5.Irregular periods
- Dry skin
- Coarse hair
- Hair loss
Thyroid disease can affect males in different ways, depending on whether they have hypothyroidism (low thyroid function) or hyperthyroidism (high thyroid function).
Thyroid Symptoms in Male
Common signs of thyroid disorder in males are:
- Fatigue or decreased energy levels
- Low libido or sex drive
- Erectile dysfunction or delayed ejaculation
- Decreased muscle mass or strength
- Unexplained weight gain or loss
- Hair loss
- Gynecomastia (male breast enlargement)
- Testicular atrophy (shrinking testicles)
Rajashree Gadgil, the founder of TRUWELLTH the most acknowledged Nutrition Center in Thane mentions that the thyroid gland is involved in several systemic processes throughout the body. Located in the neck in the anterior triangle, this symmetrical, bi-lobed, butterfly-shaped, red-brown, lobulated structure is responsible for the production of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).
Thyroid Causes
Common causes of thyroid problems include:
- Iodine deficiency
- Autoimmune diseases (such as Graves’ disease or Hashimoto’s disease)
- Inflammation (thyroiditis)
- Nodules (non-cancerous lumps)
- Thyroid cancer
- Certain medical treatments (radiation therapy, thyroid surgery, and some medicines)
Are you a female over 60? Do you have a family history of thyroid disorder? Do you have certain health issues (like lupus, diabetes, or rheumatoid arthritis)? If yes, you have a higher chance of thyroid disease.
Additional Reading: Weight Gain Diet
Thyroid Symptoms and Cure
The indications of thyroid disease, to put it in simple words, can be divided into two groups. There are a few with excess thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism) and a few with too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism). The signs are generally “opposites” between the two conditions. This is because hyperthyroidism accelerates your metabolism, and hypothyroidism slows down your metabolism.
There is no ultimate cure for thyroid disorders. However, there are different ways to control the symptoms and hormone levels, depending on the type and severity of the thyroid condition. Treatment options may include hormone replacement therapy, surgery, radiation therapy, radioactive iodine, injections, chemotherapy, drugs, or herbal supplements. Some people may also benefit by changing their diet and staying away from sugar and processed foods.
Thyroid Foods to Avoid
- Iodized salt
- Oily Fish
- Caffeine
- Highly Processed Foods
- Cauliflower
- Caffeinated Beverages
- Crustaceans and Mollusks
- Sugary Foods and Refined Carbohydrates
- Seaweed and Seafood
- Wheat, Barley, Rye
Thyroid Symptoms Test
There are multiple types of thyroid tests, but they all come under one of two categories:
Thyroid blood tests check hormones and proteins like antibodies and thyroglobulin. These tests mention if you have conditions like hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). There are various types of thyroid blood tests, including TSH, T3 and T4, and thyroid antibodies.
Thyroid imaging tests help find nodules (lumps) in your neck and decide whether they’re at the initial stage (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Nuclear medicine imaging like thyroid uptake and scan tests falls under this category. These tests demand injecting or swallowing a small amount of contrast material.
Thyroid Treatment
The type of condition and the cause determines the treatment for thyroid disease. The aim is to return your thyroid hormone levels to a healthy range.
If you have hyperthyroidism, treatment choices include:
- Antithyroid drugs (methimazole and propylthiouracil): These medications stop your thyroid from making hormones.
- Radioiodine (radioactive iodine) therapy: This treatment impairs the cells of your thyroid, stopping it from making high levels of thyroid hormone.
- Beta-blockers: These medications don’t affect your thyroid, but they support managing some symptoms, like fast heart rate.
- Surgery: For a more permanent form of treatment, your healthcare provider may recommend surgically removing your thyroid (thyroidectomy). This will stop it from creating hormones. However, you’ll need to take synthetic (manufactured) thyroid replacement hormones (pills) for the rest of your life.
If you have hypothyroidism, the key treatment option is thyroid substitution medication. It’s an artificial system to add thyroid hormones back into your body. One medication that providers generally prescribe is levothyroxine.
Thyroid Diet Chart
A Thyroid diet chart recommended by an esteemed Nutritionist in Mumbai
- Whole grain cereals and legumes
- Fish and seaweeds
- Selenium-rich foods (brazil nuts, yellow fin tuna, grass-fed beef, eggs, sardines, etc.)
- Tyrosine-rich foods (cheese, fish, chicken, turkey, nuts, seeds, etc.)
Conclusion
Thyroid diseases are common these days. The good news is there are medications and other treatments that can help manage them well. If you have indications of hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism or have known risk factors for thyroid disease, visit TRUWELLTH, the most renowned Nutrition Center in Mumbai. We are available to help you.
FAQ
19 Signs of Thyroid Problems
- Brain Fog
- Changes in Appetite
- Constipation
- Frequent Bowel Movements or Diarrhea
- Weight Gain
- Weight Loss
- Cold Intolerance
- Difficulty in Sleeping
- Heat Sensitivity
- Dry Skin, Nails, or Hair
- Heart Problems
- Fatigue
- Irregular Periods
- Reproductive System Changes
- Lump in Throat
- Muscle Changes
- Mood Changes
- Problems With Pregnancy
- Sexual Dysfunction
Thyroid Level Normal
Thyroid level normal refers to the normal range of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4)12345. TSH is a hormone that regulates the thyroid gland, and FT4 is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland. The normal range of TSH is 0.4 to 4.0 mIU/L245, and the normal range of FT4 is 0.7 to 1.9 ng/dL5. However, these ranges may vary depending on age, pregnancy, thyroid or pituitary disorders, and other factors.
Thyroid Test Price
Thyroid Profile (Total T3, Total T4, TSH) test price is generally between INR 650-780