Did you know that thyroid problems are among the most common endocrine disorders in India, affecting almost 42 million people?
The thyroid, a small butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, makes and releases certain hormones that regulate various bodily functions. But when this gland produces too much hormone or not enough then several types of problems can arise. To maintain a balance of hormones, use Krishna’s Thyro Balance Juice, an amalgamation of ayurvedic herbs that are known to support proper thyroid functioning.
In this straightforward guide, we’ll look at what thyroid diseases are and their common symptoms.
Let’s first understand what does your thyroid do
The thyroid is an endocrine gland located at the front of your neck just below the voice box. An endocrine gland makes hormones and directly releases them into your blood, which then travels to tissues and organs all over your body.
This endocrine gland creates and releases hormones, majorly thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormone’s main role is to regulate the speed of your metabolism. Metabolism is the process of turning the food you eat into energy that your body needs. Every cell in your body is dependent on this energy to function properly.
Thyroid hormones (TH) also regulate your body temperature, cholesterol levels, and even your heart rate and blood pressure.
When the gland isn’t working properly and it produces too much or too little of T3 and T4 hormones, it is called thyroid disease. It can affect people of all ages.
Types of Thyroid Disorders
If the thyroid gland makes too much hormone, the condition is called hyperthyroidism, and if it makes too little, it’s called hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is more common than hyperthyroidism. These are the two main types of thyroid problems and other types include thyroid nodules, which are unusual solid or fluid-filled lumps in the thyroid gland, Goiter (enlarged thyroid) and thyroid cancer.
In Hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland is underactive due to which there is a slowing down of your bodily functions. The condition is treated with synthetic thyroid hormone supplements which help bring the levels to a healthy range.
In Hyperthyroidism, your thyroid gland is overactive and causes a speeding up of your bodily functions. The condition is managed with Anti thyroid drugs that stop your thyroid from making hormones.
These are the most effective and primary line of treatment for thyroid disorders but it may take some time to manage your hormone levels. To complement your thyroid care use ayurvedic products like Krishna’s Thyro Balance Juice. Here’s how it benefits your body:
- Balance the thyroid hormones naturally
- Reduces stress levels in your body, a factor that can make the condition worse
- Help your immune system function better
Some other Ayurvedic products that can help in managing thyroid problems naturally.
Also Read: How to balance thyroid naturally
How do you know if your thyroid gland is overactive, or underactive?
Generally, the most common symptoms of thyroid disease are fatigue, cold or heat sensitivity, unexplained weight changes, hair thinning, and menstrual cycle changes. But, the symptoms vary and are completely opposite in an overactive thyroid and an underactive thyroid.
Symptoms of Underactive Thyroid (Hypothyroidism)
In this, your gland produces very little thyroid hormone, and thus your metabolism starts declining. In its early stages, there are no noticeable symptoms but over several years as your metabolism continues to slow you might start experiencing the following symptoms
1. Fatigue
This is the most common symptom of an underactive thyroid. When hormone levels are low, your body’s cells do not get sufficient energy, which makes you feel drained all the time. You may feel so exhausted that you can’t get through a day as usual. No matter how much sleep you get, you will still feel low on energy.
Sometimes, you may also fall asleep during the day or quickly at night, and in the morning, getting out of bed may feel like the most difficult thing. The fatigue can be so extreme that it interferes with daily life.
2. Weight gain
With an underactive thyroid, your BMR (basal metabolic rate) is decreased. This means your body burns fewer calories at rest, which eventually leads to some weight gain. The metabolism of fat is also slowed down, causing increased accumulation of fat, especially around the stomach.
3. Puffy face
A puffy face in hypothyroidism is often due to fluid retention caused by your body’s impaired ability to regulate sodium and water balance. The reduced thyroid hormone levels lead to oedema, where fluid accumulates in tissues, including your face. This fluid retention results in a swollen or puffy appearance, particularly around the eyes and cheeks.
4. Feeling cold
Because of slow metabolism, there is a drop in your overall body temperature. This makes you feel cold all the time or have a lower tolerance for cold. Even during the summer months, you may have cold feet and hands.
5. Joint and muscle pain
The reason why hypothyroidism causes joint and muscle pain is not entirely clear, but some studies suggest that low TH impair your body cells’ function, leading to muscle aches, stiffness, joint swelling, and weakness.
6. Dry skin or hair
Because of insufficient TH, the production of natural oil that maintains your skin and hair moisture also slows down. This leads to dryness, roughness, and flakiness. You may also notice thin nails that break easily, and dry, brittle, and coarse hair.
Symptoms of Overactive Thyroid (Hyperthyroidism)
In this, your gland produces more hormones than your body needs. Symptoms include:
1. Restlessness
When there is an overproduction of TH, metabolism speeds up, leading to increased energy levels and a feeling of being hyperactive or wired. These hormones also cause overstimulation of your nervous system, which can manifest as restlessness.
2. Rapid weight loss
Thyroid hormones influence your body’s metabolism, and as their levels go up, your metabolic rate increases. This makes your body break down fats and proteins more quickly and burn calories even while at rest. As a result, you may experience noticeable weight loss despite having a normal or increased appetite.
3. Rapid and irregular heartbeat
The presence of excess TH stimulates your heart to beat faster and with more force. This increases your heart’s workload, causing its rate and rhythm to rise. Common symptoms include a rapid or irregular heartbeat, which you might feel in your chest or at pulse points in your throat or neck.
4. Trouble tolerating heat
Too much thyroxine increases your body’s metabolic processes, raising your body temperature. Your body cells go into overdrive, making you more sensitive to warm environments. In response to the excess hormone, the activity of your sweat glands also increases, further contributing to discomfort in hot conditions.
5. Frequent bowel movements or diarrhoea
The thyroid gland is closely connected to the digestion process. When there is an overproduction of TH hormones your digestive process also increases and the food moves through your gastrointestinal tract more rapidly. This causes frequent bowel movements or diarrhoea.
6. Difficulty sleeping
High levels of TH can make conditions like anxiety and depression worse which may give you problems falling asleep or staying asleep.
Takeaway
The symptoms of thyroid disease may be difficult to diagnose since they can overlap and could also be caused by other health problems. You can have a lot of different symptoms depending on whether it is hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. So, if you have any symptoms that might point to a thyroid problem or have a family history of thyroid disease, consult a doctor for the right diagnosis and get the treatment you need. Remember, thyroid disease may lead to many health issues and ignoring or delaying treatment could only add to it.
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