Thyroid disorders are perhaps the most common ailment we hear today attacking hapless victims irrespective of age or socio-economic conditions. Basically, it is a hormone imbalance induced problem which is very tricky to deal with. Thyroid disorders are the worst endocrine disorders that can happen in the human body and it is difficult to gauge the symptoms of such conditions.
Our hormones are the important messengers between our various body organs, but unfortunately not many are aware of the various problems related to them. Dysfunctioning of these hormonal messengers cause such disorders like Hypothyroidism that affects people worldwide including 4.6% people in the US.
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As in the case of any medical intervention for a cure and healing the patient must understand his/her conditions properly and address the root of the problem that could be triggering the condition. Read on to learn more about this medical condition, its signs and symptoms of thyroid disorders and every possible treatment available depending on the severity of the problem.
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For a layman, what does Hypothyroidism mean? Now according to Mayo clinic, Hypothyroidism is a condition when the thyroid glands are barely active and it secretes bare minimum of thyroid hormones in the blood.
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Though the symptoms vary in different individual but it inevitable it leads to alarming weight loss. Now with the slow secretion of thyroid hormone is blood, the vital activities of the body slow down naturally, which leads to exhaustion, lack of energy and sluggishness.
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Moreover, the body temperature also starts getting affected as the metabolism is at an all-time low. As body temperature drops down, you may experience cold and shivering, as well as a cold feeling in fingers and toes.
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Also, slow metabolism leads to constipation which is a bad sign. Constipation is one of the most common causes of hypothyroidism. Constipation can be defined as having less than three bowel movements a week.
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Individual symptoms mentioned below may be the cause of some other underlying problem, but when you experience low temperatures along with two or more of these symptoms, you should have your thyroid checked.
• Heavier than normal or irregular menstrual periods
• Muscle aches, and tenderness
• Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints
• Impaired memory
• Slowed heart rate
• Depression
• Elevated blood cholesterol level
• Thinning hair
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Similarly, a layman needs to know what is Hyperthyroidism - now this condition is absolutely the opposite of the previous condition. This condition means an excess of thyroid hormone in the blood and needless to say this condition speeds up the metabolism.
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Patients with this malady experience high anxiety, irritability because their system is always in hyperactive mode; this may cause insomnia and sometimes muscle weakness.
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High blood sugar isn’t always a result of diabetes, it could be due to an overactive thyroid but because of the repeated condition of high blood sugar, there is a risk of diabetes or vice versa.
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• Insomnia and fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Increased sweating and irritability
• Heart palpitations and shortness of breath
• Light menstrual periods—perhaps even missed periods
• Mental disturbance and nervousness
• Tremors or sudden paralysis
• Weight loss or even weight gain
• Muscle fatigue
• Dizziness and vision changes
• Heat intolerance
• Itchiness or hives
• Increase in blood sugar
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Having said all that we really need to delve a bit deeper and find out the real cause of Thyroid Disorder. One probable cause is our immune system confusing the thyroid cells and the enzymes as their potential attackers. This type of disease is called Hashimoto's thyroiditis. This condition can be caused by the development of nodules that would grow and manifest the input of thyroid hormone.
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Now that we know the causes and symptoms of thyroid disorders, we reach the stage of detection and treatment of this disorder. If you see someone with slightest of the symptoms, they will need an immediate blood culture or thyroid test to make sure the thyroids levels are under control. Usually, the treatment involves a synthetic hormone called Levothyroxine. Also, there are many alternative antithyroid drugs that block the production of your own thyroid hormones. But, never treat yourself or take the medication mentioned on your own. Thyroid disorders are complicated and should always be determined by a doctor who will prescribe the treatment best for you.
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Sometimes the doctors suspect the disorder maybe auto-immune rather than food sensitive. Gluten can be a possible criminal here which might cause leaky gut, toxins and infections and not to mention stress. Thyroid secretion needs some key nutrients.
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Experts find it possible that deficiencies of selenium and zinc may help in the treatment, in fact, other hormones such as cortisol and sex hormones should be tested as they are an integral part of the endocrine system too.
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