The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland located at the base of the human neck. This gland plays an important role in controlling the metabolism of the body and vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, body weight, cholesterol levels menstrual cycles, etc.
Thyroid Disorders
The thyroid uses the iodine from the food we consume and makes two hormones - Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4) which influence the metabolism of the body cells.
Hypothyroidism - This occurs when enough thyroxine is not produced for the body’s needs, slowing down the cells and organs of the body. For eg. The heart rate slows down in case of hypothyroidism.
Hyperthyroidism- In this case, the thyroid secretes too much thyroxine for the body’s needs and thus leads to increased activity of the body cells or body organs. For e.g., this condition results in the quickening of the heartbeat.
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
When the thyroid does not produce enough thyroxin, hypothyroidism occurs. The symptoms of this condition are as follows:
- Dry Skin
- Fatigue
- Poor concentration
- Constipation
- Fluid retention
- Muscle and Joint Aches
- Depression
- Excessive and prolonged menstrual bleeding
- Tremor
- Nervousness
- Fast heart rate
- Fatigue
- Intolerance for heat
- Increase in bowel movements
- Increased sweating
- Concentration problems
- Unintentional weight loss
- Hashimoto's thyroiditis which is an autoimmune condition resulting in the swelling up of the thyroid glands.
- Thyroid hormone resistance. This is a rare genetic disorder in which some body tissues do not respond normally to the thyroid hormones
- Inflammation of the thyroid.
- Iodine deficiency.
- Graves’ disease. This is an autoimmune disorder. It attacks the immune system of the body causing the thyroid to produce more thyroid hormone than required.
- Toxic multinodular goiter which is basically an enlargement of the thyroid gland.
- Sometimes the thyroid nodules overexpress the thyroid gland secreting excessive thyroid hormone. Nodules are abnormal masses within the thyroid.
- Excessive iodine consumption.
