The thyroid a large ductless gland in the neck which secretes hormones regulating growth and development through the rate of metabolism. Metabolism is our body’s ability to convert food into energy and the energy is burned at different rates depending on the person.
The interconnectivity of the hormones, organs and the brain must be in sync for optimal performance. So if the thyroid gland is not functioning correctly, you may experience symptoms of a thyroid disorder: underactive or overactive. Low levels of the thyroid hormone, hypothyroidism, could cause various symptoms such as dry skin, changes in your hair, brittle nails, constipation, fatigue, and aches/pains. If low levels of this hormone remain untreated, it can increase the likelihood high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease. High levels of thyroid hormone, hyperthyroidism, occurs when the thyroid gland produces too much of the thyroxine hormone. Too much of this hormone can accelerate your body’s metabolism which may cause weight loss or rapid/irregular heartbeat.
Women have increased chances of having thyroid issues than men, especially as they get older. In some cases, symptoms can be gradual and not very noticeable, and in other cases symptoms can be abrupt within a few weeks or months. Symptoms can include exhaustion, depression, constipation, muscle aches, cardiovascular effects, cold intolerance, and appetite loss. Please consult a physician if you experience any of these symptoms. Hypothyroidism is typically treated with a daily dose of synthetic hormone, in pill form, and essentially does the job of your thyroid. Usually, people with hypothyroidism experience a substantial symptom relief after starting this treatment. Hyperthyroidism can be treated using anti-thyroid medications and radioactive iodine to slow the production of thyroid hormones. Sometimes, hyperthyroidism treatment involves surgery to remove all or part of your thyroid gland.
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