Key Takeaways

Be Mindful of Your Body: Do not overlook it when it is telling you that you are tired, too hot or cold, or that you have changed.
Learn to Tell Apart: "Depo" primarily refers to something that is slowing down, whereas "hyper" generally means something that is speeding up.
Go and Get Tested: Thyroid disorder testing most often involves measuring serum TSH.
Second, testing is necessary: If you have a thyroid background, regular monitoring with your BMF is vital for your stability and health.
Going Holistic Is Important: With sound medical advice and a healthy lifestyle, your treatment outcomes will be optimal.

Ever felt like your body runs at the wrong temperature? There are times when you are the only one who needs to wear a jumper while others are fine in just a T-shirt, or you feel as if you have just run a marathon when, in fact, you have been sitting all day.

These subtle and somewhat confusing symptoms are often attributed to "getting older" or "stress".

The truth, however, is that for many people in Australia, their thyroid gland may be affecting them. The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of the neck.

As a GP, I often compare the thyroid to an automobile engine. It produces hormones that regulate your metabolism, which, in essence, determines the speed of your body cells. If the thyroid "engine" is either too slow or too fast, then the entire system is thrown out of balance.

A few lesser-known symptoms of thyroid problems are highlighted in this blog post, and monitoring hormone levels may help you return to your old self.

Thyroid hormones travel through your bloodstream to every cell in your body, and they even help determine your heart's functioning, digestion, muscles, brain, and mood.

Thyroid dysfunction basically has two types:

Hypothyroidism (Underactive) Your body's "engine" is running very slowly. The body produces less thyroid hormone, so bodily functions slow.
Hyperthyroidism (Overactive) The metaphorical body engine is running at full speed. The body produces more than sufficient thyroid hormone; consequently, its functions are accelerated.

Being very tired most of the time and having different moods can point to a thyroid disorder or just be symptoms of stress/burnout. If you feel like you have too much on your plate, this article will give you some helpful tips.

What Are The Symptoms of Hypothyroidism? Would You Describe Yourself as Being Cold, Tired or Sad?

Hypothyroidism is, in fact, one of the most prevalent diseases among the Australian populace. A patient, in this context, is a person whose test results indicate no significant medical problems. The symptoms have slowly become worse over the years, and the patient has no idea that they are not feeling well, to the extent that they do not consider them to be very significant symptoms.

It could be described as the body slowly entering sleep mode, or "hibernation". Everything works at half speed or stops entirely.

The following are some of the symptoms that frequently show up:

Exhaustion without Reason: You wake up in a bad mood before you even open your eyes, even though you had a good night's sleep.
Cold intolerance: It seems that you are always the one adjusting the temperature and putting on the warmest outfit.
Weight Gain: You are likely to gain weight even if you eat the same amount of food or if your appetite decreases.
Skin and Hair Issues: Both the skin and hair become dry and damaged.
Depressed Mood or Sadness: Symptoms of depression, such as brain fog (difficulty concentrating and thinking clearly), can be experienced.
One of the most typical signs of slowed digestion is constipation and infrequent bowel movements.

Dry skin and fatigue are common symptoms and may indicate other conditions. For example, dry skin is a significant concern in the guide Skin Hydration.

Are you losing weight for no reason at all?

On the other hand, rapid heartbeat and anxiety are only some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

Having hyperthyroidism is like being extremely happy. Your metabolic rate is so high that you can obtain energy for only a very short time, and your body cannot sustain it.

The most common symptoms are given below:

Losing Weight without Any Notice on Your Part: You find that your clothes are getting loose, or you have to buy smaller ones even though you are eating more than usual, at least on the surface.
Heart Palpitations or Irregular Heart Rate: Feeling that your heart is "racing" or "flopping".
Feeling Anxious or Having Drastic Mood Changes: You are so stressed that you are shy, afraid, or generally not feeling well.
Being Very Warm: Most of the time, you sweat and hate hot weather.
Trembling: At times, the fingers and even hands shake.
Insomnia: Your mind runs so fast that it cannot be silenced (hence, you cannot fall asleep).

Signs and symptoms of anxiety and hyperthyroidism overlap significantly, so it is crucial to find out if the source of your anxiety is a hormone imbalance or stress.

How Thyroid Dysfunction and Hormonal Imbalance are Interrelated

The thyroid is fused to other structures. One of the key organs in the body's endocrine system is the thyroid. More importantly, the pituitary, a part of the brain, "controls" the thyroid.

When blood levels of thyroid hormones are low, the pituitary releases TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), which signals the thyroid gland to produce more thyroid hormones. When thyroid hormone levels rise, the pituitary senses this and reduces TSH secretion.

These may include:

Pregnancy: In pregnancy, the body demands a lot more thyroid hormone.
Postpartum: Some women may suffer from postpartum thyroiditis.
Menopause: The hormonal changes that occur during menopause can either mask or mimic the symptoms of thyroid problems.

You can't help but have a strong understanding of the hormonal spiderweb that exists between them. However, if you'd like to get a rough idea of the general influence hormones can have on your body, then the Endocrine & Hormonal Health section has something for you.

Tests and Assessments That Can Aid in Diagnosing Thyroid Disorders

Most often, the first step in identifying the underlying cause of thyroid dysfunction is straightforward and occurs when the patient presents to the physician.

The Physical Exam

An enlarged thyroid may be palpated in the neck. Additionally, checking reflexes and pulse rate can be a cost-effective way to gauge changes in metabolic rate.

Blood Tests: The Basic Step

Most likely, a TSH test will be the first blood test your doctor will order to determine how well your thyroid is functioning.

High TSH: Typically, this indicates that the brain is signalling the thyroid to increase hormone production because it is producing too little (at least to some extent).
Low TSH: Typically, this indicates that the brain isn't sending additional signals to the thyroid gland because it has already produced sufficient hormone.

In addition to the TSH test, other tests can be used to identify the cause if your TSH test yields an abnormal result.

If your symptoms prevent you from attending the clinic soon, it is strongly recommended that you schedule a Telehealth Consultation. Essentially, your medical history will be evaluated by a GP, and as deemed necessary, you will be given a pathology referral.

Treatment Options for Thyroid Dysfunction

These days, the management of thyroid disorders has shifted from medication alone to a greater emphasis on professional evaluation and medical care.

Medication

One of the primary concerns of the therapeutic model is to bring your hormone levels back to the "normal" (euthyroid) state.

In most cases, hypothyroidism is treated through hormone replacement therapy, which helps in normalising thyroid hormone levels. Mainly, this treatment is a pill that is taken daily and is prescribed by a doctor.
In cases where the thyroid gland produces excess hormones, the primary objective is to reduce hormone levels by preventing hormone production.

Continuing regular check-ups is very important. Your doctor may want you to come in for blood tests regularly after you have adopted a treatment so that your hormone levels can be balanced.

Some Things You Can Do to Have a Positive Influence On Thyroid Function

Medical treatment is the basis for treating thyroid conditions; however, lifestyle choices significantly influence how you feel and your overall health on a day-to-day basis.

Iodine and How It Works

Thyroid hormone production depends on iodine, a necessary mineral. Most Australian table salt is iodised because the country's soil naturally contains very little iodine. Remember to have enough iodine in your diet (iodine-fortified bread, dairy, seafood) to maintain good health.

Firstly, if you are diagnosed with a thyroid condition, you should consult your physician before making any changes to your iodine intake, as increased iodine intake doesn't necessarily yield better outcomes.

What You Should Eat To Get A Boost

Slowly regaining energy after thyroid illness-related fatigue can be significantly facilitated by preparing a good, nutritious, and well-balanced meal.

Selenium and zinc are two essential components for maintaining normal thyroid function. Brazil nuts, animal flesh and seeds are good sources of protein.
Promoting Good Gut Health: A healthy gut is a preventive measure against illness and serves other functions. If you would like to learn more about this topic, please consult the Gastrointestinal Health section.

Less Strenuous Exercise

Learn to listen to your body: if you don't have energy, don't force yourself just yet; instead, divide your day into parts and take a walk or get in some swimming.
Learn stress-management techniques; chronic stress can lead to hormonal imbalances. Treatment should include adequate sleep and time for relaxation, both of which are necessary.

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References:

Thyroid Issues: Sneaky Symptoms That May Indicate a Hormone Check-up