Never ignore these vital thyroid problems

Never ignore these vital thyroid problems

The thyroid is one of the body's many glands that performs some of the most important functions of the human system. Located at the tip of the neck, the thyroid gland produces essential hormones that contribute to smooth brain activity and metabolism. Thyroid problems are often an indication of the presence of a problem in the gland. While most of them are fairly vague and similar to the symptoms of many other conditions and diseases, it is best not to ignore them as a sign of a thyroid problem. Visit an endocrinologist and have him check you for a plausible thyroid disorder.

Signs and symptoms of a thyroid problem

Below are some common thyroid problems that you must not ignore:

• Experience fatigue even if you have slept 8 to 10 hours at a time or need to take a nap every day.

• Unintentional weight gain or difficulty losing weight.

• Experience extreme mood swings, anxiety, or depression.

• Facing hormonal imbalances such as irregular periods, PMS, infertility and even lower sex drive.

• Pain in the muscles, joints, carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis.

• Having cold feet and hands and feeling unusually cold even when others are not.

• A body temperature that is consistently below 98.5 F.

• Drying or cracking of the skin, brittle nails, and excessive hair loss.

• Constant constipation.

• Brain fogs up or cannot concentrate properly.

• Swelling in the neck, more often than not snoring or developing a hoarse voice.

Type of thyroid problems

Typically, there are two types of thyroid problems – hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

Hyperthyroidism is a disease in which the gland produces an excessive amount of hormones, which cause the appearance of many internal problems. A hyperactive thyroid often leads to excessive TSH secretion in the bloodstream, Graves' disease, and the formation of nodules in the gland. Hypothyroidism, on the other hand, is a condition in which the Thyroid causes less production of essential hormones that further impair the proper functionality of many related organs. Both conditions are dangerous to the human system and therefore maintaining thyroid health is important.

Tests related to thyroid problems

There are some tests associated with diagnosing the proper functionality as well as the production and release of the essential hormones in the bloodstream. These are as follows: –

• TSH test

• Free T3 and T4 test

• Reverse T3 test

• Thyroid peroxidase antibody test (TPOAb)

• Thyroglobulin antibody test (TgAb)

Based on the result of these tests, a legitimate treatment for thyroid problems is formulated by the endocrinologist. The sooner you receive treatment for thyroid treatment, the better the outcome.

Inspired by Tarun Yadav