Did you know that an estimated 20 million Americans have thyroid disease—and up to 60% remain undiagnosed? Thyroid symptoms can be easy to overlook or ignore, especially with early symptoms such as unexplained fatigue or sudden weight changes. But ignoring these symptoms could mean missing the signs of a treatable condition.
While thyroid dysfunction might seem easy to miss, knowing what to look for can help you recognize symptoms early and get care sooner. This article will cover the basics of your thyroid, early warning signs to watch for, and tips for managing thyroid health. Early care for thyroid disease is important and the tests to confirm a diagnosis are simple, so talk to your doctor if you suspect your thyroid is contributing to your symptoms.
Understanding the Thyroid
Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the middle of your lower neck. A properly functioning thyroid is regulated by Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) from the pituitary gland, and produces thyroid hormones (thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3)) that regulate energy production in your body—also known as your metabolism.
What Does the Thyroid Do?
For such a small gland, the thyroid has a big impact on your health. Thyroid hormone influences every cell, organ, and tissue in your body. It regulates your metabolism, energy levels, body temperature, and hormone balance. Thyroid health plays crucial roles in mood, heart health, and every other system in your body, from your brain to your bones to your digestive system and beyond.
Thyroid Disorders 101
When your thyroid is not functioning properly, you’ll most commonly see either an overproduction or underproduction of thyroid hormones.
Hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid, is when your thyroid produces more thyroid hormones than your body needs. This is a serious medical issue that can lead to bigger health concerns if not addressed, including heart problems and osteoporosis. It is typically caused by an autoimmune condition, such as Graves’ Disease, inflammation in the thyroid gland, or a benign tumor.
Hypothyroidism, known as an underactive thyroid, is the opposite. Your thyroid produces less thyroid hormones than your body needs, or none at all. When this occurs, your metabolism slows down and many processes in your body slow down with it. It is often caused by autoimmune conditions, such as Hashimoto’s Disease, medication side effects, or pituitary gland inflammation.
Whether your thyroid is overactive or underactive, it’s essential to recognize the early warning signs of potential problems. Identifying these signs early can lead to timely diagnosis and effective management.
Early Warning Signs of Thyroid Problems
Symptoms of thyroid dysfunction can be subtle. Depending on your stage of life, they may be explained away by stress, hormone changes, aging, or normal tiredness from having young kids at home or a demanding job. However, if you pay attention, the pattern of symptoms can be seen.
Because an overactive thyroid has the opposite effect of an underactive thyroid, many symptoms affect the same systems but in the opposite way, such as weight loss in hyperthyroidism and weight gain in hypothyroidism. But one system that can manifest the same way in either disease is an enlarged thyroid gland, known as goiter. This can manifest as trouble swallowing, a swollen neck, or a lump in your neck, or be detected by your doctor during an exam or ultrasound. The swelling can cause throat tightness, coughing, hoarseness, and trouble swallowing or breathing.
Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism can cause your metabolism to speed up, leading to issues such as:
- Sleep disturbances
- Sudden weight loss without lifestyle changes
- Changes in mood, such as irritability, anxiety, or nervousness
- Difficulty focusing
- Thinning skin
- Sensitivity to heat and increased sweating
- Heart palpitations or feeling like your heart is racing
- Tremors
- Menstrual cycle changes
- Frequent bowel movements
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism, on the other hand, causes your metabolism to slow down, slowing your body’s processes and causing issues like:
- Unexplained and persistent fatigue, even when you get enough sleep
- Sudden weight gain without lifestyle changes
- Depression
- Forgetfulness
- Dry skin
- Brittle nails
- Thinning hair
- Intolerance to cold or constantly feeling cold
- Elevated cholesterol
- Heavier or irregular menstrual cycles
- Slower heart rate
If you’ve noticed any new symptoms or a pattern of symptoms consistent with thyroid problems, you may be wondering what to do next and when to talk to your doctor. The answer depends on your situation, so keep reading to determine the right timing for your needs.
When to See a Doctor About Thyroid Problems
If you’re just noticing symptoms for the first time, it can be difficult to determine if your thyroid is the cause and whether you should schedule an appointment. Is your skin just dry because of the weather? Are you sleeping poorly because of stress? Can your mood changes be attributed to other life circumstances? You don’t want to waste time or money if it turns out to be a passing issue, but you also don’t want to wait too long if you’re uncomfortable. Here are a few tips for determining when it’s the right time to call:
- Are your symptoms persistent?
The first step toward figuring this out is to monitor your symptoms for two weeks. If a weather change or stressor at work is causing upset in your body, it will likely have passed in that time. And if you’re still experiencing symptoms, it may be a good time to loop your doctor into the conversation.
- What’s your family medical history?
Thyroid disease is often passed on genetically, especially if the cause is an autoimmune condition, such as Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease. The more family members you have with a thyroid condition, the higher your risk. If you have a family history of thyroid or autoimmune conditions and begin experiencing new, persistent symptoms, schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss your concerns.
- Do you have other risk factors?
While anyone can experience thyroid issues, some factors make you more at risk than others. These include:
- Being over age 60
- Being a women
- Experienced thyroid changes during pregnancy
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Environmental & toxin exposure
- Genetics & family history
- Have had radiation on your head or neck
- Have another autoimmune disease
If you’re at higher risk for thyroid disease and are experiencing symptoms (old or new), give your doctor a call today. It’s also a good idea to keep track of your symptoms prior to your appointment so you can give your doctor a more complete view of your health.
Managing Thyroid Health
Although thyroid issues can be easily overlooked, the great news is that once you’ve identified the symptoms, getting a diagnosis is the easy part.
Diagnosis
At your doctor’s visit, your doctor will discuss your concerns and review your symptoms, medical history, and family history. Diagnosing thyroid disease is done through physical exams that check for lumps or swelling in your neck and blood tests. TSH is the most common blood test to check for thyroid disease, but this doesn’t give a full picture and can miss the issue. Testing TSH, Free T3, and Free T4 is a more thorough approach that gives more information for diagnosing, which is why it’s crucial to work with an experienced thyroid doctor.
The right treatment starts with the right diagnosis, and an experienced professional, like Dr. Roz, can help you get there. There are multiple markers that can indicate thyroid disease, so Dr. Roz offers tests for an entire panel of thyroid markers that includes TSH, Free T3, Free T4, as well as autoimmune markers. This gives a more complete picture of your thyroid health, allowing for a comprehensive approach to treatment.
Treatment
Once a clear diagnosis is made, the next step is to determine treatment. Managing thyroid disease involves addressing nutritional deficiencies that support thyroid function, such selenium, zinc, iron, magnesium, and vitamin D. In cases of hypothyroidism, thyroid hormone replacement is often necessary, with options including T4-only medications or combination T3/T4 medications for those who may not convert T4 efficiently. A comprehensive approach that includes nutritional support, lifestyle modifications, and appropriate thyroid hormone therapy can help optimize thyroid function and overall well-being.
For hyperthyroidism, natural approaches focus on identifying the root causes ((such as Graves’ disease, toxic nodules, or inflammation) and addressing it with a holistic approach before considering conventional interventions. Nutritional support, including the use of herbs like Lemon Balm, Motherwort and Bugleweed, can help balance thyroid activity. Supporting the body with nutritional therapy, such as adequate Iodine, Selenium, and Zinc, can help regulate thyroid function. In addition, reducing inflammation through a nutrient-dense diet and stress management techniques can help the body return to balance. Conventional treatments, such as anti-thyroid medications, radioactive iodine, or surgery, may be considered if natural therapies do not yield sufficient results.
However, effective thyroid treatment doesn’t end with medications. Medications can treat the symptoms, but they don’t address any underlying health concerns that may be contributing to your thyroid issues. That’s where Dr. Roz does thyroid treatment differently. After completing the panel of tests, she can customize a treatment plan that’s right for you. Her naturopathic approach may include medications, dietary and lifestyle changes, and treatments to address other health issues affecting your thyroid.
Lifestyle Tips
Treating thyroid disease is most effective when personalized to the individual and their life. While medication can be helpful, a holistic approach to health is best for long-term outcomes. Here are some of Dr. Roz’s top tips to manage your thyroid disease:
- Eat a balanced diet. Iodine and selenium affect your thyroid and Dr. Roz can help you determine the best diet for your condition.
- Stress Management. Stress can wreak havoc on your thyroid health, and your health in general. Manage your stress with calming activities, downtime, meditation, and regular sleep for optimal health. Consult with Dr. Roz for help managing your stress levels.
- Regular Check-ups. Regardless of whether you start medication right away or not, thyroid disease needs to be managed by a medical professional. Schedule regular check-ups with Dr. Roz to review your treatment plan, re-run hormone tests, and address any new symptoms that come up.
Get Your Thyroid Health On Track
Thyroid issues are often silent but manageable. Early detection and treatment can prevent complications like heart disease or infertility, improve your quality of life, and get you feeling like yourself again. If something feels off with your health, listen to your body—don’t dismiss lingering symptoms!
As Scottsdale’s leading thyroid disease doctor, Dr. Roz understands your condition and can get you back to feeling your best. Schedule an appointment today to get started.
