5 Common Thyroid Problems and How to Manage Them
Thyroid disease affects millions of people each year. Thankfully, most conditions can be managed or treated. Here is a breakdown of some common thyroid issues and what to do about them.
Get to know your thyroid
Your thyroid is a vital gland at the front of your neck, just below your voice box. This butterfly-shaped organ plays a major role in?metabolism?as well as the growth and development of the body. The thyroid works by continuously releasing thyroid hormones into the bloodstream, producing more or less as needed.
If something isn’t quite right with your thyroid, you may notice symptoms such as weight fluctuations, fatigue, muscle aches, and intolerance to cold. The good news is that thyroid disorders can be managed with regular doctor visits, medication, and lifestyle changes. In honor of?Thyroid Awareness Month, here’s a look at five common thyroid disorders and how to manage them.?
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism?means your thyroid gland is overactive and produces too many thyroid hormones. This condition can cause many of your body’s functions to speed up, which can bring about some pretty uncomfortable symptoms, including anxiety, muscle weakness, mood swings, and heat sensitivity.?
Graves’ disease?is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. Other conditions that can lead to hyperthyroidism include overactive thyroid nodules, thyroiditis, and thyroid gland inflammation.
How do I manage hyperthyroidism?
Your doctor may prescribe these medications to combat hyperthyroidism:
You can also minimize symptoms of hyperthyroidism by making small lifestyle changes, such as prioritizing a healthy diet that consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.?
Hypothyroidism
Contrary to hyperthyroidism,?hypothyroidism?means that your thyroid is underactive and doesn’t produce enough hormones. Also known as underactive thyroid, hypothyroidism causes your metabolism to slow, producing symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, and extreme sensitivity to cold.?
This thyroid disease is most often caused by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland. Iodine deficiency, pituitary gland disorders, or genetics can also cause hypothyroidism.?
How do I manage hypothyroidism?
To treat hypothyroidism, your doctor may suggest:
If you’re faced with hypothyroidism, you should try to?limit stress?and?prioritize sleep?to avoid triggering or worsening symptoms. It’s also advised that people with this thyroid disease adopt a nutritious, wholesome diet.?
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Goiter
The term?goiter?refers to an abnormal and noncancerous enlargement of the thyroid gland. People with goiter may notice symptoms such as tightness or swelling in the neck, wheezing, coughing, difficulty swallowing, and hoarseness.?
The most common cause of goiter is iodine deficiency. For this reason, goiter is often seen in areas where foods rich in iodine are in short supply. It’s also why most salt sold in the U.S. is “iodized.” Similarly to hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, this condition can also be caused by Graves’ disease, pituitary gland tumors, genetics, and thyroiditis.?
How do I manage goiter?
Since goiter is usually a symptom of hyperthyroidism, the treatments for both conditions are similar. Your doctor will likely recommend radioactive iodine therapy, which shrinks your thyroid gland. Surgery to remove a section of your thyroid gland or the entire thyroid gland is another option.?
Thyroid nodules
When thyroid cells suffer abnormal growth, they can form lumps within the thyroid gland. These are known as thyroid nodules. Although the vast majority of thyroid nodules are noncancerous, a small percentage do contain?thyroid cancer. Common symptoms of thyroid nodules include weight loss, shakiness, clammy skin, and rapid pulse.?
How do I manage thyroid nodules?
The majority of thyroid nodules don't require medical treatment. However, treatment of larger or cancerous nodules may include medication management or surgery.
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, also referred to as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the United States. This thyroid disease occurs when your body’s immune system attacks your thyroid gland and slowly destroys its ability to produce natural hormones.
Symptoms of Hashimoto’s aren’t quite as severe as some other thyroid disorders, so people often don’t notice them right away. And even if they do, they’re so similar to symptoms of other conditions that Hashimoto’s can be confusing to diagnose. Typical symptoms include?depression, fatigue, dry skin, intolerance to cold, enlarged thyroid, and mild weight gain.?
How can I manage Hashimoto’s thyroiditis??
The primary treatment method for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is hormone-replacing medication, which is used to raise your thyroid hormone levels or lower your thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. Hashimoto’s is typically identified early on and is likely to remain stable for years.
Tips for a healthy thyroid?
While some thyroid disorders are not preventable, there are a few things you can do to keep your thyroid functioning as well as possible. Here are a few tips for better thyroid health:
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