The thyroid is perhaps the most underrated organ in the human body. If it works properly, it is hardly noticed. However, if there are disorders, this can have severe effects on numerous critical bodily functions. In addition to metabolism, thyroid hormones influence circulation, growth, and psychological well-being. Here are the symptoms of thyroid to check for at home.
What is an Underactive Thyroid?
The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ attached to the windpipe below the larynx. If it produces fewer hormones than the body needs, the condition is called Hypothyroidism. Let’s know the symptoms of the thyroid to ensure it’s treated at the right time. The thyroid gland produces the vital thyroid hormone thyroxine from protein and iodine.
Causes of Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is rarely congenital. It is usually the result of a loss or destruction of intact thyroid tissue, for example, in the event of inflammation. Hypothyroidism can also occur if the hypothalamus, and the pituitary gland, do not work properly.
Hypothalamus is the control center in the brain. In rare cases, severe iodine deficiency in the diet can lead to Hypothyroidism, which is usually associated with an enlargement of the thyroid gland.
Symptoms of Thyroid are Diverse and Non-Specific
A slow, long-lasting course is characteristic of an underactive thyroid. It causes little discomfort, especially at the beginning, and is therefore often recognized late.
Older people usually only notice individual symptoms, such as increased sensitivity to cold and reduced physical and mental performance, which is often confused with regular, age-related changes.
The lack of thyroid hormones affects a wide variety of body organs, our nervous system, and our psyche.
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Typical Symptoms of Hypothyroidism are:
1. Sensitivity to cold
2. Fatigue, increased need for sleep, listlessness, listlessness
3. Slowed reflexes
4. Memory loss along with depressive moods
5. Weight gain and increased blood lipid levels
6. Muscle weakness, muscle stiffness, and pain
7. Cold and pale dry skin
8. Pasty swelling of the subcutaneous connective tissue, especially on the arms and legs and on the face. Affected people appear bloated.
9. Brittle hair and increased hair loss
10. Brittle nails
11. Hoarse, deep voice, slow and slurred speech
12. Chronic constipation
13. Possibly a goiter
14. Fluid build-up in the eyelids
15. Irregular menstrual bleeding in women with reduced ability to conceive
16. A decrease in sexual pleasure and potency in men
17. With severe, long-standing, and untreated Hypothyroidism, slow heartbeat, low blood pressure can occur. The coronary arteries can become calcified, and heart muscle weakness or pericardial effusion can occur.
Symptoms of Thyroid – Hyperthyroidism
If the thyroid gland exaggerates with hormone production, it is called hyperthyroidism. In hyperthyroidism, our body reacts with the opposite symptoms. It is difficult to identify because the symptoms of thyroid are mostly non-specific and do not always occur together. Almost all signs prove increased metabolism and close interaction of hormones with the autonomous nervous system.
The following are the main symptoms of thyroid over-functioning:
1. Psychological signs like nervousness, aggressiveness, mood swings, sleep disorders
2. Cardiovascular disorders like increased pulse, cardiac arrhythmia, high blood pressure, the stress in the area of the heart
3. Increased body temperature, hypersensitivity to heat, sweating
4. Weight loss despite a strong feeling of hunger
5. Muscle cramps and tremors
6. Diarrhea
7. Warm, velvety skin
8. Brittle fingernails and hair, hair loss
9. Bone changes in the sense of osteoporosis with untreated hyperthyroidism
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10. Menstrual Cycle disorders
11. Malfunctions of other glands such as adrenal insufficiency like type 1 diabetes
12. If you have diabetes, you will notice increased insulin requirement
An enlargement of the thyroid gland can accompany another symptom of thyroid over function. This enlargement can be caused by stimulating thyroid antibodies.