The Importance of Thyroid Health
A butterfly-shaped organ found at the front of the neck under your voice box. The two side lobes lie against and around your windpipe (trachea), connecting at the front by a narrow strip of tissue.
Your thyroid weighs between 20-60 grams and is surrounded by two fibrous capsules.
The outer capsule is connected to the voice box muscles, important vessels, & nerves.
Loose connective tissue between inner & outer capsules allow your thyroid to move and change positions when you swallow.
Thyroid tissue consists of individual lobules enclosed in thin layers of connective tissue. Lobules contain many small vesicles (sacs) called follicles where thyroid hormones are stored in the form of small droplets.
Your Thyroid's Function
Vital hormone gland playing a major role in metabolism, growth, and development of your body.
Regulates many body functions by releasing a steady amount of thyroid hormones into your bloodstream.
Produces extra hormones for energy in certain situations such as during pregnancy, growth periods, and when you are cold.
Hormones Produced By Your Thyroid
Triiodothyronine - T3
Tetraiodothyronine, also called thyroxine - T4
Calcitonin
T1
T2
Your Thyroid Hormones
T3 &T4 are the only thyroid hormones made in the follicular epithelial cells of your thyroid.
Iodine is one of the main building blocks of both hormones which must come from your diet. The iron is absorbed through your bowel and carried to your thyroid to make more thyroid hormones.
The amount of thyroid hormones your body needs changes. Your thyroid relies on your pituitary gland to determine whether to release more or less hormones into your bloodstream through the TSH signaling molecule.
Certain amounts of thyroid hormones attach to transport proteins in your blood in order for T3 & T4 to be released from the proteins to do their job.
Calcitonin is made by C-cells involved in calcium and bone metabolism.
T3 and T4 increase your basal metabolic rate causing all the cells in your body to work harder, because of this the cells need more energy. This results in the following effects:
Body temperature rises
Faster pulse and stronger heartbeat
Food is used up more quickly because energy stored in the liver and muscles is broken down
The brain matures (in children)
Growth is promoted (in children)
Activation of the nervous system leads to improved concentration and faster reflexes
Hormone Imbalances
Overactive Thyroid (Hyperthyroidism)
Occurs when the thyroid gland produces too many hormones.
Under-active Thyroid (Hypothyroidism)
Occurs where the gland doesn’t produce enough hormones.
When You Have A Thyroid Imbalance
The thyroid gland may grow in size.
The whole thyroid gland becomes enlarged (diffused goiter).
Individual lumps called nodules can grow in the gland (nodular goiter).
A special examination called a thyroid scintigraphy is used to determine whether these nodules are producing abnormal amounts of hormones.
“Hot” Nodules - Nodules producing more hormones than the rest of the thyroid tissue.
“Cold” Nodules - Nodules producing less hormones than the rest of the thyroid tissue.
Most enlarged thyroids and/or nodules are not caused by anything serious and are rarely cancerous.
It is important to see your healthcare provider if you notice any changes in your thyroid gland or a change in your voice.
Your practitioner may make recommendations to balance your thyroid hormones.
Thyroid Disorders Hypothyroidism
Risk Factors For Hypothyroidism:
Addison's disease
Autoimmune diseases
Birth defects
Disorders of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus
Female gender especially those over the age of 50
Eating disorders
Family history of hypothyroidism
Gout
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Pregnancy or Previous postpartum thyroiditis
Radiation treatment of the neck
Smoking
Hyperthyroidism (Graves Disease)
Risk Factors For Hyperthyroidism:
Certain common viral infections
Drug treatments such as certain AIDS & cancer treatments
Excessive thyroid hormone for treatment of hypothyroidism
Family history of Grave's disease
Female gender
Iodine supplements or iodine exposure
Recent pregnancy
Thyroid trauma or injury
Testing For Thyroid Disorders
Blood test to check thyroid function including:
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
T3 & T4 Hormones
Thyroid Antibody Tests
Imaging tests or ultrasound to view nodules if present
Radioactive Iodine Uptake Test (RAI) to determine cause of hyperthyroidism
Treating Thyroid Disorders
Treatment depends on the type of thyroid disorder and the underlying causes.
Treating Hypothyroidism
Low levels are replaced with oral thyroid replacement medication called levothyroxine.
Treating Hyperthyroidism
Antithyroid medications are used to decrease overproduction of thyroid hormones.
Beta blockers are used to minimize rapid heart rate and anxiety.
Surgery to remove the overactive thyroid however, it does not cure the disorder.
Swallowing radioactive iodine to reduce overactivity and overproduction of thyroid hormone.
Hashimoto's Disease
Autoimmune disorder affecting the thyroid gland causing death of thyroid hormone-producing cells.
Causes reduction of hormone production.
Middle-aged women are at highest risk.
Known as:
Hashimoto's disease
Lymphocytic thyroiditis
Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis
Causes of Disease On-set:
Genetic factors
Environmental triggers - infection, stress or radiation exposure
Interactions of both
SymptomsProgresses slowly over the years with worsening symptoms.
Fatigue and sluggishness
Constipation
Anxiety
Dry skin
Increased sensitivity to cold
Increased sleepiness
Joint pain and stiffness
Muscle weakness
Muscle aches, tenderness, and stiffness
Irregular or excessive menstrual bleeding
Depression
Problems with memory or concentration
Enlargement of the thyroid (goiter)
A swollen face
Brittle, weak nails
Hair loss and change in texture
Enlargement of the tongue
Risk Factors
Gender
Women are much more likely to get Hashimoto’s disease.
Age
Can occur at any age but more commonly occurs during middle age.
Other Autoimmune Disease
Autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes or lupus increase risk.
Genetics & Family History
Pregnancy
Excessive Iodine Intake
Radiation exposure
Complications
Thyroid hormones are essential for healthy function of many body systems.
If left untreated, Hashimoto's disease can cause:
Goiter
Heart Problems
Mental Health Issues
Sexual & Reproductive Dysfunction
Myxedema
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