Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): |
What does the thyroid do? Your thyroid is the metabolic center of your body. This means it controls your body temperature, heart rate, and how fast you use calories from your food for energy. The thyroid produces hormones that travel throughout your body's different parts and areas to better support its functioning.
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How do I know if I have a thyroid problem? Unless you have a very large nodule on your thyroid, you probably won't easily know you have a thyroid problem. However, if you experience changes in your weight, personality, emotions, and even skin texture, these can all be symptoms of thyroid problems. A doctor can help you know if you have a thyroid problem by ordering blood tests to check the levels of thyroid hormones in your body. If yours are abnormal, your doctor can recommend the next steps.
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How does the thyroid affect the body? A well-working thyroid affects the body by maintaining the following functions: Keeping the body's temperature at a normal level, Supporting normal growth and cell turnover, Maintaining a normal heart rate, Burning calories in a regular and expected fashion, Maintaining bone breakdown and reabsorption.
As a result, if your thyroid hormone production becomes imbalanced (either too high or too low), your thyroid can negatively affect your overall health. |
What are the risk factors for thyroid disease? You may be at a higher risk of developing a thyroid condition if you: Are female. Females are five to eight times more likely to have a thyroid condition. Have a family history of thyroid disease, Have Turner syndrome, Take a medication that's high in iodine, Live in a country or area that doesn't have iodized table salt, which can lead to iodine deficiency. Are older than 60, especially if you're female, Have received radiation therapy to your head and/or neck,
Having an autoimmune disease also increases your risk, especially if you have: |
What is the outlook for thyroid disorders? Outlook / Prognosis: Thyroid diseases affect many parts of your body and health. If you consistently follow your treatment plan to manage the condition, it's usually not serious. Hypothyroidism is a long-lasting condition. Without treatment, Hypothyroidism can cause severe complications, including coma or death. However, with treatment, the outlook for people with Hypothyroidism is good. Symptoms usually reverse within a few weeks or months. Like Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism can cause serious health problems without treatment. However, Hyperthyroidism is treatable. If a person undergoes surgical treatment for Hyperthyroidism, their condition will not return. However, they will have to take medications to treat the resulting Hypothyroidism. A person's outlook is typically positive. The outlook for most people with thyroid cancer is also good, although patients with thyroid cancer that has spread throughout the body have a poorer prognosis.
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What are the complications of Hypothyroidism? Complications of untreated Hypothyroidism include: Anemia: Low red blood cells caused by suppression of the bone marrow. Goiter: The lack of thyroid hormone causes constant stimulation of the thyroid gland, causing enlargement. This condition is called Goiter. It can cause cosmetic concerns and can affect breathing and swallowing. Cardiac (heart) problems: Hypothyroidism increases the risk of heart disease and causes irregular heart rate and heart failure. Hypothyroidism increases the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, known as the "bad" cholesterol, leading to cardiovascular complications. Mental health issues: Depression, slow cognitive function, lethargy, and poor memory can occur and may worsen over time. Peripheral neuropathy: Long-term, untreated Hypothyroidism can damage peripheral nerves (in the arms and legs). Due to damage to nerve membranes, patients feel pain, numbness, tingling, and burning sensations in affected areas. Myxoedema coma: This is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition caused when thyroid hormone levels become exceptionally low. Its signs and symptoms may include: Swelling of the face, including the lips, eyelids, and tongue. Swelling and thickening of the skin and underlying tissues, anywhere in the body, with a waxy texture. Intense cold intolerance (low body temperature) and drowsiness followed by confusion, profound lethargy, unconsciousness, and coma.
Infertility: Low levels of thyroid hormone can interfere with ovulation, presenting with irregular periods. Birth defects: Babies born to women with untreated thyroid disease may have a higher risk of being born with birth defects. The children also have a risk of serious developmental problems. Infants' problems: Infants with untreated Hypothyroidism present at birth are at risk for serious problems with both physical and mental development. Pregnancy complications: Untreated Hypothyroidism during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight, delivery preeclampsia (high blood pressure in the last trimester of pregnancy), placental abruption, and postpartum hemorrhage (bleeding), and birth defects in the developing baby. |
What are the complications of Hyperthyroidism? If untreated, Hyperthyroidism can lead to various complications, such as: Cardiac (heart) complications: Cardiac complications of Hyperthyroidism can be severe and life-threatening. A heart condition that causes irregular and abnormally fast heartbeats may lead to stroke and congestive heart failure. It's called Atrial fibrillation. Brittle bones: Untreated Hyperthyroidism can lead to osteoporosis (weak, brittle bones), which causes the bones to fracture easily. Increased thyroid hormones impair the body's ability to incorporate calcium into the bones. Proptosis: The prominent bulging of the eyes, also known as exophthalmos. Graves' ophthalmopathy: An eye complication characterized by watery eyes, blurred vision, and double vision. Skin complications: Those with Graves' disease develop Graves' dermopathy, which is characterized by redness and swelling of the skin, usually on the shins and feet. Thyrotoxic crisis: Thyrotoxic crisis is a sudden intensification of symptoms, causing fever, palpitations, and altered mental status. This requires emergency medical attention. Osteoporosis: Porous, brittle bones caused by the loss of bone mineral. Pregnancy complications: Including premature birth, low birth weight, preeclampsia, and miscarriage Thyroid storm: A potentially life-threatening condition caused by dramatic increases in metabolism, leading to confusion, vomiting, extremely fast heartbeats, and liver injury.
Babies born to mothers with Graves' disease are also at increased risk of developing Hyperthyroidism
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When should you visit a healthcare provider or a doctor? Consider scheduling an appointment with your doctor if you experience the following symptoms, as they could be related to your thyroid: Feeling a nodule or lump on either side of your larynx (voicebox), Experiencing weight loss or gain that you can't explain by changes in diet or activity level, Constantly feeling very hot or very cold, Experiencing mood changes, such as depression, anxiety, or nervousness, Feeling a sense of significant fatigue.
A doctor may refer a person to an endocrinologist or hormone specialist. |
What are the differences between Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism? An underactive thyroid gland in Hypothyroidism does not produce enough thyroid hormones, whereas an overactive thyroid gland in Hyperthyroidism produces too many. Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism are separate conditions with different symptoms. "Hyper" means the gland produces too much thyroid hormone, while "hypo" produces too few thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism can cause opposite symptoms.
With Hypothyroidism, the lack of thyroid hormones can slow down some bodily functions, which can cause:
With Hyperthyroidism, the overproduction of thyroid hormones can speed up bodily functions. This can result in: a rapid or irregular heartbeat, weight loss, difficulty tolerating heat, irritability, nervousness, and anxiety.
Although both share many of the symptoms, there are specific symptoms that are distinctive of each. Both Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism are primarily the result of an autoimmune disease, but there are other potential causes as well. The diagnosis and treatment also differ. |
Do high levels of TSH indicate Hypothyroidism or Hyperthyroidism? High levels of TSH can indicate Hypothyroidism. |
What is the relation between Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and Hyperthyroidism? Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the thyroid gland. It most commonly causes Hypothyroidism. In rare cases, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis can cause transient Hyperthyroidism with subsequent Hypothyroidism.
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Can thyroid problems cause burning mouth syndrome? Burning mouth syndrome is a severe, painful condition characterized by burning sensations in the tongue, lips, palate (roof of the mouth), gums, inside of the cheeks, and back of the mouth or throat. The feeling is often described as a scalding or tingling sensation. It is more common in women than in men and is particularly common around menopause. It may often be due to poorly functioning salivary glands. Poor function may be linked to abnormal T3 levels. Often, a diet rich in selenium and iodine provides relief in some cases.
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Can Hyperthyroidism result in neuropathy? People with Hyperthyroidism may also develop neuropathy and experience other neurological symptoms. |
Can I prevent thyroid disease? Thyroid diseases generally aren't preventable. This is because most cases of thyroid disease are linked to genetics and/or caused by autoimmune conditions, which you can't prevent. The two conditions you can prevent are thyroid problems related to iodine excess or deficiency.
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Can I live an everyday life with thyroid disease? Thyroid disease is often a lifelong medical condition that requires consistent management, usually involving daily medication. Your healthcare provider will monitor your treatments and adjust them over time. It may take some time to find the right treatment plan for you to manage your hormone levels. But you can usually live an everyday life with thyroid disease. |
What foods can I eat to support healthy thyroid function? While you can't prevent all thyroid disorders, you can follow a thyroid-friendly diet to help keep your thyroid working as well as possible. Foods that support healthy thyroid function may include: Iron-rich diet or iron-fortified food: Your body requires iron to make thyroid hormone. If you are iron-deficient, you could be at greater risk for Hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism treatment medications may also not work as well if you are low in iron. Getting enough iron in your daily diet can be an essential step. Examples of foods that contain iron include: Grass-fed beef, red meat, and poultry, Organic beef liver, Spinach, Sardines and seefood,
If you have difficulty incorporating iron-containing foods into your daily diet, talk with your doctor to see if an iron supplement could help.
Selenium-rich diet or supplements: Selenium is a trace mineral your body requires to activate thyroid hormone. Studies have linked low selenium levels with increased risks for chronic autoimmune Thyroiditis, Graves' disease, and Goiter. You can increase your selenium levels by eating more meat, seafood, whole grains, Brazil nuts, organic liver, cold-water fish, and garlic. However, some people may require a supplement to enhance selenium levels. Consult your doctor for proper advice.
A protein-rich diet includes grass-fed meats, free-range chicken, wild-caught seafood, and beans (slow-cooked). Magnesium-rich diet: It includes dark leafy greens, almonds, pecans, flax seeds, etc. Vitamin B12-rich diet: It includes grass-fed meats, free-range chicken and eggs, wild-caught seafood, etc. Iodine-rich food: Deficiency of iodine may cause Hypothyroidism. Wild-caught seafood, seaweed, and kelp are rich sources of iodine. If needed and recommended, iodised salt may help prevent the problem. Zinc-rich diet: It includes grass-fed meats, free-range chicken, wild-caught seafood, almonds, etc. A vitamin B2-rich diet includes grass-fed meats, organic organ meats, almonds, and green vegetables. Vitamin D: Sunshine, egg yolks, organic liver, and wild-caught fish can provide vitamin D. Omega-3 fatty acids: Wild-caught fish, walnuts, chia, and flax seeds are rich sources of these acids. Vitamin C-rich diet: It includes broccoli, Brussels sprouts, citrus fruits, berries, etc. Vitamin A-rich diet: It includes free-range eggs, green vegetables, organic liver, etc.
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What foods are bad for the thyroid? Certain foods, called goitrogens, may interfere with the thyroid gland's ability to process or produce thyroid hormones. Foods that are bad for your thyroid may include: The high content of fluoride in cold drinks damages the thyroid gland like no other beverage. Foods belonging to the brassica family, such as broccoli, kale, cauliflower, and cabbage, contain substances that may alter thyroid function. These foods, especially if eaten raw (salads), can cause T3 and T4 levels to dip. Soy foods such as tofu, edamame, and soybeans contain isoflavones that act as goitrogens in the body and inhibit the production of thyroid hormones. To minimize the concentration of goitrogenic compounds in your diet, steer clear of soy products and select fermented foods. Iodine, essential for a healthy thyroid gland, may paradoxically suppress T3 and T4 function if taken in excess. Daily consumption of iodine should not be more than 150 grams. Hence, only take iodide supplements such as kelp, nori, and seaweed under a doctor's supervision. Fried foods and foods that contain saturated fats are also bad for thyroid health and function. Although consuming gluten is generally not a problem for most people, it can impair nutrient absorption and trigger GI inflammation in those with celiac disease. Unfortunately, some people with Hypothyroidism, which is caused by an autoimmune disorder such as Hashimoto's disease, are also at a high risk of being affected by celiac disease. Some people must avoid gluten completely to maintain thyroid function. Caffeine dependence is detrimental to your thyroid and adrenal glands. Caffeine blocks the absorption of thyroid hormone, so you should minimize caffeine consumption as much as possible if you have Hypothyroidism. Excess sugar consumption wreaks havoc on the body. In addition to causing many diseases, it interferes with T4 conversion, which is necessary for thyroid function. Alcohol can suppress the thyroid gland's ability to produce thyroid hormones, which is why doctors advise people who have an underactive thyroid to stop drinking alcohol.
Ultra-processed foods: Researchers have linked a diet high in ultra-processed foods with increased risks for subclinical Hyperthyroidism, a degree of Hyperthyroidism that may not yet be severe enough to cause definite symptoms. Examples of ultra-processed foods include frozen meals, hot dogs, and some packaged foods, such as cookies, cakes, or other snack items. These foods typically contain extracts that increase sugar, salt, or fat to enhance flavor. Decreasing your intake (or avoiding these foods altogether) may help reduce your risk of thyroid dysfunction.
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When should we call the doctor in a medical emergency for a thyroid patient? Two thyroid-related conditions can be medical emergencies: Myxedema coma and thyroid storm. Myxedema coma: A myxedema coma is the result of severe, untreated Hypothyroidism. Symptoms include: Mental status changes like extreme lethargy or even entering a comatose-like state, Severely decreased body temperature, Very swollen tongue.
A myxedema coma is most likely to happen in the wintertime, particularly after prolonged exposure to the cold.
Thyroid storm: A thyroid storm is a medical emergency due to excess thyroid hormones. Seek emergency medical attention if you experience the following: Racing, rapid heart rate that may be 140 beats per minute or higher, Fever high than 101.5°F (38.61°C), Mental status changes that include restlessness, confusion, or agitation, Sweating, Loss of consciousness.
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