Last Updated on December 7, 2023
Overview
The thyroid gland is one of the building blocks of the human body. It is an essential component of the endocrine gland and assists in major functions of the body. The thyroid gland releases hormones that regulate metabolism and help in brain development and bone maintenance. At times, there is an imbalance of thyroid hormones that results in various thyroid problems like fatigue, low energy levels, hair fall, impaired bowel movements, etc. Therefore, it is essential to know the early warning signs of thyroid problems to better manage the condition.
Continue reading the blog as we dive deep into the intricacies of thyroid problems, discussing distinct types of thyroid issues and answering the most frequently asked questions, “What are early warning signs of thyroid problems?”
What Does the Thyroid Control?
The thyroid gland is responsible for producing the following hormones:
- Triiodothyronine T3
- Tetraiodothyronine T4
- Calcitonin
T3 and T4 function to increase the metabolic rate resulting in the utilization of energy within the body. This helps the body use food as energy, for proper growth, to regulate weight and ensure cognitive function. Calcitonin plays a role in bone metabolism, the rate at which bones break and are built.
What are Early Warning Signs of Thyroid Problems?
Due to the fluctuation of thyroid hormones, the thyroid gland tends to underperform. This gives rise to various thyroid problems listed below. Understanding these, one can get an answer to the most frequently asked questions, “what are early warning signs of thyroid problems?”
Hypothyroidism
The thyroid gland produces insufficient hormones in this situation, which slows the metabolism. The term “under-active thyroid” is also used for it.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- Gaining weight
- Fatigue
- Cold sensitivity
- Constipation
- Mood disorders, such as depression
Hyperthyroidism
This happens when the thyroid gland overproduces thyroid hormone, which accelerates the body’s metabolism. An overactive thyroid is also what doctors call it.
The following are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism:
- Loss of weight
- Nervous tremors
- Higher heart rate
- Sweating
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis
This occurs when the thyroid gland swells up, usually due to viral infections or autoimmune conditions.
The following autoimmune conditions can result in this thyroiditis:
- Graves illness
- Hashimoto’s condition
- Thyroiditis with Hashimoto’s
- Pregnancy thyroiditis
- Ocular thyroid disease
Grave’s Disease
It is an autoimmune condition that leads to hyperthyroidism.
Thyroid Tumors
Non-cancerous tumors that develop from the thyroid gland’s lining can release too much thyroid hormone. These non-cancerous tumors could be nodules or adenomas.
Postpartum Thyroiditis
This type of inflammation of the thyroid gland occurs right after childbirth. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are more commonly diagnosed conditions among the ones listed above.
It is therefore essential to understand the early warning signs of thyroid problems so that they can be treated in a timely manner
What are the Early Warning Signs of Thyroid Problems?
Whether the gland is hyperactive or underactive, this will have a direct effect on the early symptoms of thyroid problems.
The following are some early warning signs of thyroid problems:
- Drowsiness or weariness
- Gaining or losing weight
- Sensitivity to cold because of irregularity in the maintenance of the body temperature
- Alterations in appetite
- Heart palpitations or other heart rhythm issues
- Loss of hair or thinning
- Dry hair or skin
- A weakened or tight muscle
- Irregular or constipated bowel motions
- Irregular cycles of menstruation
- High or low blood pressure
- Depression, anxiety, or irritation, as well as mood swings
What Can I do to Improve the Early Warning Signs of Thyroid Problems?
Apart from consulting a doctor and taking the tests he/she prescribes, it is also important to understand that making certain changes to your lifestyle can also help in improving the early warning signs of thyroid problems. These include:
- Weight loss
- Consuming a well-balanced diet
- Consuming enough iodine-rich meals to allow the thyroid gland to generate hormones
- Stress reduction
- Exercise on a regular basis
- Avoid smoking and heavy alcohol consumption
- Taking medications as prescribed
Are there any Tests to Detect the Early Warning Signs of Thyroid Problems?
In the beginning, the symptoms of thyroid are so vague that it often gets challenging to detect whether it is thyroid issue or something other condition in your body. In such instances, blood tests are ordered by the physician to check the levels of thyroid hormone in the body.
Other diagnostic tests to detect early warning signs of thyroid problems include:
- Radioactive Iodine Uptake Test: This involves drinking iodine liquid to detect how much of the radioactive substance collects in the gland. This will not affect your body in any way. Elevated levels indicate hyperthyroidism, low levels indicate hypothyroidism.
- Thyroid Scan: Radioactive iodine is used in the thyroid scan just like the uptake test. It detects how much thyroid absorbs the radioactive substance.
- Thyroid Ultrasound: It is used to comprehend the size and shape of nodules in case of their detection on the scan.
- Thyroid Biopsy: This test is utilized to look for atypical cells in the thyroid. A fine needle is passed through the gland to collect the sample.
Outlook
To answer the question, “What are early warning signs of thyroid problems?” It is important to understand that thyroid problems are common and present many symptoms including fatigue, altered heart rate, irregular bowel movements, and mental health issues. Thyroid problems result in decreased productivity and multiple other health issues as it is the building block of the human body which controls most of its bodily functions. It needs proper intervention and symptom management. Understanding the initial warning signs of thyroid problems can potentially help in managing hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism or the associated conditions.
