The thyroid gland is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck that has a huge impact on our overall health and wellbeing. It produces key hormones like triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) that help regulate critical bodily functions like metabolism, heart rate, body temperature, and more.
What are the most common thyroid disorders?
The most prevalent thyroid conditions include:
- Hypothyroidism - When the thyroid gland is underactive and doesn't produce enough hormones. Symptoms include fatigue, weight gain, feeling cold, and more. It typically develops gradually over time.
- Hyperthyroidism - The opposite of hypothyroidism; the thyroid gland is overactive and produces too many hormones. Some telltale signs are sudden weight loss, rapid heartbeat, sweating, nervousness.
- Hashimoto’s disease - An autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the thyroid. It frequently leads to an underactive thyroid.
- Goiter - Abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. Can be related to iodine deficiency or other imbalances. Often noticeable as a swelling at the front of the neck.
What causes thyroid problems?
Thyroid disorders stem from various sources like:
- Iodine deficiency
- Autoimmune disease
- Overconsumption or underconsumption of thyroid hormones
- Radiation exposure
- Pituitary gland malfunctions
- Inflammation
- Genetic predisposition
Other potential risk factors are family history, pregnancy, age over 60 years old, or other chronic conditions.
How are thyroid conditions treated?
Treatment depends on the specific condition, its severity, and root cause.
- Thyroid hormone replacement medications like levothyroxine or liothyronine. These synthetic hormones are used to correct hormone deficiencies.
- Anti-thyroid medications to reduce excessive hormone production
- Radioactive iodine to damage overactive thyroid cells
- Surgery in some cases
If you suspect a thyroid issue based on symptoms like fatigue, weight fluctuations or swelling in the neck, I recommend getting
thyroid function blood tests from your doctor. At Vitality Health Center, we specialize in holistic thyroid and hormone-related care. Our expert physicians and nutritionists will help diagnose the root cause with cutting-edge testing and craft fully personalized treatment plans.
I hope this overview gives you a good understanding of thyroid disorders! Let me know if you have any other questions.