Thyroid Disease

Overview

The thyroid gland is butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of the neck and produces thyroid hormones that regulate your body’s metabolism.

Several different disorders can arise when your thyroid produces too much hormone (hyperthyroidism) or not enough (hypothyroidism). Thyroid hormones are two hormones produced and released by the thyroid gland, namely triiodothyronine (T₃) and thyroxine (T₄).

Symptoms

Hypothyroidism (Under-active Thyroid)-

Fatigue
Frequent, heavy menstrual periods
Forgetfulness
Weight gain
Dry, coarse skin and hair
Hoarse voice
Intolerance to cold

Hyperthyroidism (Over-active Thyroid)-

Irritability/nervousness
Muscle weakness/tremors
Infrequent, scant menstrual periods
Weight loss
Sleep disturbances
Enlarged thyroid gland
Vision problems or eye irritation
Heat sensitivity

Cause

Iodine deficiency
autoimmune diseases, in which your immune system attacks your own body, leading either to hyperthyroidism (caused by Graves’ disease) or hypothyroidism (caused by Hashimoto’s disease)
Inflammation of the thyroid (which may or may not cause pain), caused by a virus or bacteria
Nodules or non-cancerous lumps, inside the thyroid
Cancerous tumors of the thyroid gland
Certain medical treatments, including radiation therapy, thyroid surgery and some medicines
Some genetic disorders
Pregnancy can cause thyroid problems (Gestational) to start or get worse. If left untreated, this can cause problems for mother and baby, including miscarriage, premature birth or stillbirth.

Prevention & Management

1. Make sure you have healthy iodine levels

2. Stop smoking

3. Be careful about toxic exposures

4. Ask for a thyroid collar during dental x-rays

5. Over-consumption of soy foods can slow your thyroid’s production of hormones, and impair your body’s ability to metabolize thyroid hormone.

6. Don’t overdo raw goitrogenic vegetables – Common goitrogenic foods include kale, broccoli, spinach, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts.

7. Address any vitamin D deficiency

8. Get tested for coeliac disease

9. If you are already diagnosed with Hypothyroidism or Hyperthyroidism, get your levels check every 6 months.