If you have been diagnosed with a thyroid condition, you may be wondering what this means for your health.
A thyroid condition is a disorder of the thyroid gland, which is a small butterfly-shaped gland in the neck. The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones, which play an important role in regulating the body’s metabolism. There are two main types of thyroid conditions: hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone. Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. Both conditions can cause a variety of symptoms, and if left untreated, can lead to serious health complications. If you have been diagnosed with a thyroid condition, it is important to work with your healthcare team to manage your condition and minimize the impact on your health. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential in ensuring the best possible outcome.
Thyroid conditions can be complex and it is important to get accurate information and guidance from a qualified individual. It’s not a simple condition that allows an easy route to determining the root cause of a thyroid condition. Before we get into some of the possible root cause issues, let’s look at the symptoms of thyroid disease.
- Difficulty sleeping
- Headaches
- Muscle or joint pain
- Mood changes or mood swings
- Digestive issues (such as constipation or diarrhea)
- Decreased sex drive
- Irregular periods or fertility issues
- Brain fog or memory problems
- Dry skin or hair loss
- Sensitivity to cold or heat
- Heart palpitations or high blood pressure
- Increased thirst or urination (in diabetes)
- Vision changes or eye problems (in diabetes)
- Numbness or tingling in hands or feet (in diabetes or nerve-related issues)
Not everyone experiences all of these symptoms and it’s not a complete list either. Of course, some symptoms overlap with other health problems, this is why it is so important to visit with your provider at Madison Women’s Clinic to make an accurate diagnosis.
The most common cause of thyroid problems is an autoimmune disorder called Hashimoto’s disease. Other causes can include certain medications, radiation therapy, surgery, infections, dietary deficiencies, and hormone imbalances. Some health conditions greatly affect the health of the thyroid gland. Diseases like diabetes, adrenal insufficiencies, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer, to name a few. In addition, aging can also cause the thyroid to get sluggish and slow.
Obtaining the assistance of a trained physician is critical in getting your thyroid health back on track. At Madison Women’s Clinic, we are here to help you through this bump in your road to good health.
