4 Things That Can Go Wrong With The Thyroid
Maybe you haven’t even realised all of the amazing things that your thyroid gland does for you each day, but maintaining good health in this gland is essential for your wellbeing.
The thyroid gland makes up just one part of the endocrine system; a web of complex glands that are responsible for your hormones and their precise roles in your body. This gland, nestled in the front of your neck, looks similar to a butterfly and produces two main hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), and one peptide hormone, calcitonin.
Thyroid hormones are some of the best all-rounders in the body. They support basal metabolic rate, help to determine the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats and play a crucial role in energy production throughout the body. These hormones also play a role in regulating your heart rate and they are key to development.
Like many of the delicate elements of the human body, there are a number of issues that can arise. These 4 things that can go wrong with the thyroid are some of the most common that I encounter in my practice.
Hypothyroidism
When your gland is underactive, it’s known as hypothyroidism. This slow and sluggish function is caused by an under-production of the vital hormones, which may be an early indicator of disease. The difficulty of hypothyroidism is that it’s often hard to diagnose in the earlier stages, with many only reaching out for help when obvious signs and symptoms begin to manifest. These largely begin as fatigue and weight gain, but can evolve to include increased sensitivity to cold, constipation, dry skin, muscle weakness, aches, tenderness and stiffness, elevated blood cholesterol levels, thinning hair, slowed heart rate, and at times depression and impaired memory.
Autoimmune disease is one of the leading causes for hypothyroidism, resting alongside thyroid surgery, radiation therapy, some medications and even an over-response to hyperthyroidism treatment. Other, less common causes may include congenital disease, a pituitary disorder, iodine deficiency and occasionally pregnancy.
Hyperthyroidism
Similarly, hyperthyroidism branches from an overactive thyroid gland. With too much triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) in the body, metabolism in the body is accelerated - bringing a smorgasbord of harmful signs and symptoms to the table. This overactive condition is most commonly associated with unintentional weight loss and disturbances to the regular heartbeat; described as rapid, irregular and pounding. As the metabolism increases, other signs and symptoms begin to emerge - an increased appetite, nervousness, anxiety and irritability, tremors, increased sensitivity to heat, more frequent bowel movements, fatigue and difficulty sleeping.
The over-functioning metabolism is often drawn back to one of three underlying causes; thyroiditis, hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules or Graves’ disease. Depending on the cause, there are different ways of managing hyperthyroidism, which are best tailored to you under the guidance of a specialised practitioner.
Hashimoto’s Disease
Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune condition that compels the immune system cells to attack the thyroid gland, which can evolve to inflammation and deterioration of thyroid tissues. This greatly impacts the hormone-producing capabilities of the gland. This disease is a common cause of hypothyroidism, and many signs and symptoms may appear in the same ways.
Graves’ Disease
This autoimmune condition deceives the body’s natural immune defences to produce more thyroid hormones than necessary. Graves’ Disease is one of the most prominent causes of hyperthyroidism, so conventional treatments strive to stagnate production of the hormones. Graves’ Disease can also be characterised by distinct ophthalmopathy and dermopathy - the appearance and function of eyes and skin. Bordering on 30% of people living with the condition show the optical symptoms, including bulging eyes, pressure or pain and occasionally vision loss. Indicators of Graves’ in the skin include reddening and thickening of the surface layer, found on the shins and feet.
Thyroid conditions can have severe, long-lasting implications for those living with them, but addressing the root cause is almost always manageable, under the guidance of knowledgeable specialists. Management of thyroid disease needs to encompass more than medication; with the right nutrition, stress management, corrected nutritional deficiencies and minimisation of environmental toxins are the first steps to a natural approach. Embracing a holistic approach to the dietary and lifestyle factors that impact the thyroid can have a positive and lasting impact on management.
Melissa Briggs is an experienced Brisbane based Naturopath with a particular interest in women’s health and thyroid disorders. Need help with your health? Get in touch here.