Do You Have These 4 Telltale Signs? You May Have Thyroid Disease

 

Unexplained weight gain is a common symptom that sends a person to the doctor to get their thyroid checked. When levels of thyroid hormone get too low, the body’s processes start to slow down, which can result in weight gain. But there are other, less well-known signs that the thyroid is not doing what it is supposed to do.

 

Thyroid disease occurs when the butterfly-shaped gland located in the lower front of the neck isn’t working properly. A healthy thyroid gland secretes thyroid hormones that are sent to every tissue in the body. These hormones help you to use energy, stay warm, and keep all of the body’s organs working the way that they should. When the thyroid is not working properly, there is a wide range of symptom that can occur. The symptoms differ based on whether the thyroid is secreting too much thyroid hormone or not enough.

 

Sensitivity to Cold

Are you always the person in the office who is complaining that it’s too cold? Sensitivity to cold can be a sign of an underactive thyroid, especially if it’s something that you are noticing more lately.

 

Aches and pains

Have you been experiencing muscle aches, pains or cramping? This is another sign of a possible thyroid problem. Joint pain, especially in the shoulders and hips, is a possible sign of thyroid disease.

 

Memory Loss

Do you feel like you are experiencing brain fog? If you are finding your job more difficult to perform than it used to be, or feel like you are more forgetful, this can be due to an underactive thyroid. According to the American Thyroid Association, many older people ignore these signs thinking they are just a normal part of aging, when actually they are symptoms of a treatable thyroid problem.

 

Anxiety

Have you tried to treat anxiety without success? According to the Chicago Weight Loss Clinic, anxiety that doesn’t respond to medication can be a sign of an overactive thyroid.

 

If you suspect that you have signs of thyroid disease, the only way to know for certain is to take a blood test that measures your thyroid hormone levels. Some of the signs of hyperthyroidism overlap with the signs of hypothyroidism, and some symptoms of thyroid disease are also present in other illnesses. Talk to a doctor to find out whether or not thyroid disease is the cause of your symptoms.

 

Categories: anxiety, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, memory loss, thyroid, thyroid disease

Understanding the Best Ways to Deal with Thyroid Disorder

 

If you are dealing with a thyroid disorder, whether it is hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, it can pose unique challenges in your daily life. A thyroid disorder can have a major impact on your well-being, affecting your energy levels, metabolism, your heart rate, your digestive system, and emotional state. When you are faced with the problems brought on by your thyroid, it can be overwhelming. However, you can cope with your disorder when you are proactive.

 

A Proper Diagnosis is Key

According to the Chicago Weight Loss Center, you need a proper diagnosis in order to take charge of your thyroid disorder. Set up a consultation with your primary physician and describe the symptoms that you have been experiencing. Request testing to get to the bottom of your symptoms. Once you know exactly what you are dealing with, you will be able to treat your thyroid disorder effectively.

 

Consider Your Options for Treatment

Thyroid disorders can have serious implications concerning your health and should not be treated with solely home remedies. Medication and surgery are the typical solutions to problems with the thyroid. If not managed properly, it can be life-threatening in some cases. When hyperthyroidism is the problem, or an overactive thyroid, the most common treatments involve medications, surgery, and radioactive iodide treatment. These treatments are designed to slow down hormone production in the thyroid. If you are struggling with hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, the only solution is hormone replacement therapy. A doctor will prescribe a synthetic thyroid hormone medication in order to supply your body with the essential hormones that are no longer being produced by your thyroid.

 

Alternative Options

While alternative medicine cannot replace medical treatment for your thyroid disorder, you may find that a variety of supplements can be helpful in balancing your hormone levels and cleansing your system. You may find relief from some of your symptoms through acupuncture, adjustments at the chiropractor’s office, and through deep massage. Adjusting your diet and including foods that are rich in calcium, the B vitamins, iodine, vitamin C, and vitamin A can be beneficial as well. You should reduce or eliminate your intake of caffeine and cold medications that contain pseudoephedrine. Both can aggravate your symptoms.

 

Regardless of what path you take to manage your thyroid disorder, you need to be diligent. Pay attention to your body. Eat a balanced diet, get regular, physical activity, and adequate rest. If you choose alternative treatments to address your thyroid condition, it is vital that you see a physician regularly to make sure your thyroid levels are under control. Stay on top of your condition, and you can feel healthy again.

 

Categories: hypothyroidism, overactive thyroid, thyroid, thyroid disease, thyroid function, thyroid gland